The Hippocratic oath seems to hold less power as the years go on as this story indicates.

Massachusetts General Hospital said it plans to remove a 79-year-old patient from life support next week, against the wishes of the woman's family and despite a court ruling that said her daughter had the right to decide when to pull the plug.

So, you've got a court order and the family doesn't want the ventilator removed and still the "doctors" in their infinite wisdom believe that they can do whatever they please.

Dr. Britain Nicholson, the hospital's chief medical officer, said on Wednesday that he ordered Howe taken off life support next Wednesday because her condition has worsened.

"Our hospital's position is Mrs. Howe's condition has continued to deteriorate to the point that it needed to be readdressed," and that it is "in Mrs. Howe's best interest to discontinue life support."

I would suggest that the Dr. Nicholson might want to look into what a first-degree murder conviction might do to his practice.