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A Paradox and a Dilemma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Marvin L. Birnbaum
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The issues surrounding “life” continue to increase in number and complexity. Those of us in the health professions believe that once a life is established, we must do all that is possible to preserve it. For most of us, this is an absolute, regardless of circumstances and setting.

But, it is essential that we recognize that this value that we place on all life is not held universally. Members of some societies believe that the after-life is of greater value than is life in this earthly realm. For some, the “ultimate sacrifice” is relinquishing one's own life for a higher cause.

Type
Editor's Corner
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 19 , Issue 2 , June 2004 , pp. 128 - 129
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2004

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