Hippocrates

Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” lived 460-377 B.C. He crafted the Hippocratic Oath that has been required of medical students around the world as a condition of graduation. It originally stated in part: “I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. (...) I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion.” Hippocrates saw abortion as being in direct opposition to a doctor’s role of promoting life and health. Physicians who practice abortion today do not obey this Oath in its original formulation.