Pubdate: Wed, 22 Jul 2015
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
Copyright: 2015 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.philly.com/inquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340
Author: Rod Meyers

WHEN DOING NOTHING DOES HARM

In an article on physician David Casarett's evolving view of medical 
marijuana, it's noted that the Pennsylvania Medical Society opposed a 
Senate bill that would allow marijuana use by patients with any of 15 
conditions, including cancer ("Doctor's Path of Discovery," July 19). 
The Hippocratic oath obligates physicians to do no harm. But don't 
physicians understand that withholding a treatment that can make 
unbearable lives bearable, by inaction, does harm and therefore 
violates their oath?

Rod Meyers, Bryn Mawr,  ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom