Is being a doctor who 'specialises' in treating criminals unethical? Since criminals can't go to hospitals and clinics, who can they turn to for help? Sure, some of them kill people and all, but if, say, they sustained a grievous injury and will die in a few hours... Don't doctors have an obligation to save them? That's if the criminals go to hospitals/clinics. But shouldn't someone be there for them? I don't think I make sense, but I just want the question out of my system, heh =)
2007-02-26 14:56:48 · 13 answers · asked by espers_cypher 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I think i understand what you are saying, however, if a doctor specializes only on criminals who are wanted, then he/she could be arrested themselves for aiding and abedding fugitives or hindering apprehension. If you know someone is wanted and you dont turn them in that is illegal. Every person is allowed to medical care you are right, but i dont think criminals are an area of specialization. They can stroll into an ER just as easy as anyone else can, so why should there be speciality doctors to aid them in not getting busted??
2007-02-26 15:03:02 · answer #1 · answered by Robin L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doctors are required by their oath to treat whomever needs it. It probably takes special training to work with those who are criminals due to the various psychological differences so I see no problem with specializing in treating criminals.
Edit - I just reread your question. Any doctor has to treat a patient as they come, criminal or not. If the patient is beyond the prison infirmary then they must be taken to the local hospital and the doctor cannot refuse to treat them. Special precautions are taken in these case that stop the prisoner from escaping and in some cases hinder the doctor. Too bad.
2007-02-26 15:01:21 · answer #2 · answered by meathookcook 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A licensed doctor is required to take "The Hippocratic Oath". Google it, there are several versions of it from the original Greek to the Modern version. It requires them to treat anyone and everyone.
Now if the person is not a licensed doctor then you could say they were filling a business need. He/She is not required to save that person. Of course, they would be no better than the criminals themselves, for which ethics wouldn't really come into play.
2007-02-26 16:35:59 · answer #3 · answered by txdavid74 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a matter of constitutional law, the criminal is restrained against his will, and cannot care for himself, he must be cared for. It is the ethical thing to do.
EXAMPLE: You got caught stealing a candy bar, and were sentenced to 30 days in jail. While in jail, you have a heart attack.
Should the Corrections Officers:
A) Take bets on how fast you might recover, or better yet get a pool started, or
B) Call a Medical Professional.
You see, it would be unjust and unfair to let a prisoner to simply suffer to death through neglect. This is why many of our Constitutional rights are rights of the accused. Too often the ideals of justice get carried to far, then it is no longer justice, it is tyranny.
I know, your thinking "what about the murder's". Well what about them. Should we stoop to their level??? Should we do as they do, only through neglect. If we do, we are not there betters, we are there equals.
I hope that clears the issue for you.
2007-02-26 15:12:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Criminals are entitled to not have to suffer from cruel and unusual punishment. Not providing medical care would be considered just that. As long as the doctor can sleep at night I don't see why he shouldn't do it.
2007-02-26 15:03:08 · answer #5 · answered by rayth_rizel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ethical.
Part of a medical doctor's Hippocratic Oath declares, "I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but never with a view to injury and wrongdoing."
2007-02-27 09:54:49 · answer #6 · answered by BeachBum 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes doctors have an ethical duty to treat them. Doctors take an oath to do no harm and he is not suppose to pre-judge his patience.
2007-02-26 15:03:10 · answer #7 · answered by cheryl l 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your talking about Dr. who's practice is mobsters etc. then they are being unethical because they have to break the law. By law, they have to report gunshots, knife wound and other batteries to the law and of course they wont'.
2007-02-26 15:05:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doctors are duty-bound by their profession to treat people even if they are criminals.
2007-02-26 15:01:30 · answer #9 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am in the medical profession and there is no such thing as a career specialty for fugitive medicine.
2007-02-26 15:06:39 · answer #10 · answered by sean paul 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋