The Hippocratic Oath is a Greek medical text, held sacred by many doctor, stating all doctors shall, “heal not kill” and doctors will not perform any harm towards a patient. While it may seem to some that Euthanasia and Physician assisted suicide violates the Hippocratic Oath I believe it does not violate the Hippocratic Oath because, Euthanasia is not harming a patient but taking away their pain and misery by granting them their wish and setting them free from all the pain.
Euthanasia is providing a lethal drug for a suffering patient, it would be seen more inhumane to not help them die peacefully rather than seeing them suffer and not get any better. It is proven a doctor who helps with Euthanasia sees the same activities as a doctor who helps a patient withdrawal from a treatment; for example Leukemia. Why claim Euthanasia as violating the Hippocratic Oath? Doctors are here to help, that’s what the oath states, and in the end Euthanasia is helping the patient more than causing harm to the patient requesting Euthanasia. Euthanasia is Greek for “good death”. Doctors are in business of life and sometimes setting the patient free is best for their life. Sherwin Nuland, MD, clinical professor of surgery from Yale states, “… harm is in the eye of the beholder,” If a doctor believes the Hippocratic Oath is violated, they simply do not have to preform Euthanasia.
A Hospice nurse is a nurse who’s philosophy of care is focused on the palliation of a terminally ill or seriously ill patient's pain and symptoms, and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs. A retired Hospice nurse, Carolin Parks, believes the Hippocratic Oath is not violated because, she is “helping the patients die with dignity and is not causing any unnecessary harm”.
Although, the Hippocratic Oath “recognizes the immense value of a human life from the conception of death” (anonymous) Thomas A. Preston, MD, believes “prolongs patient’s life, then aids the patient’s life (request to die) not violated oath, fulfilled patients duty to heal, not producing harm...” The Hippocratic Oath is a touchy subject. Euthanasia is a touchy subject. It may seem as violating but in the long run the doctor is doing what’s best. One will only know if the Hippocratic Oath is violated when they’re the doctor prepping to preform Euthanasia.