In addition, the Hippocratic oath and the American Medical Association prohibit physicians from assisting in the suicides of patients or directly administering death. The oath obliges doctors to heal, to place their patients interest above the interests of institutions and proxies, and to guard against the abuse of the power doctors naturally possess over their vulnerable wards. Everything depends on where one draws the line along continuums riven with vital distinctions. The first crucial distinction is between active and passive euthanasia. Passive euthanasia is supported by the traditional legal and moral distinction between commission and omission.
Involuntary euthanasia is the most dangerous practice for obvious reasons.
Two other distinctions are important to bear in mind. One concerns the degree or nature of patient infirmity. As we will see, some commentators would not limit assisted suicide or euthanasia to these circumstances. ACLU lawyer Robert Sedler, draws a more cautious line. Most right to die advocates in this volume present comparatively cautious cases for liberalization.