suicide are perfectly compatible with the aims of medicine, author Daniel Callahan of The Hastings Center, states in When Self-Determination Runs Amok , "I would note at the very outset that a physician who participates in another person's suicide already abuses medicine" (p.179). A doctor takes an oath to preserve life when he becomes a doctor, not to end it. Opponents of euthanasia claim that any doctor or medical professional who is involved with active euthanasia and assisted suicide is harming themselves and the whole medical profession. When discussing euthanasia, J. Gay-Williams stated, It could have a corrupting influence so that in any case that is severe doctors and nurses might not try hard enough to save the patient. They might decide that the patient would simply be "better off dead"...This would result in an overall decline in the quality of medical care (p.170). Reference: 1. Mitchell K. Physician commitment in end of life care _" perspectives from New Zealand and the Netherlands. Soc Sci Med. 2004 59; 775-785.