Healthy Living

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Would it be fair to blame Michael Jackson’s doctor?

AP

AP

In the sad saga of Michael Jackson's death, it turns out that his physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, administered the dose of propofol that killed the pop icon. He was the doctor at Jackson's bedside before the singer was taken to Los Angeles hospital and pronounced dead. As a result, detectives have searched Murray's Houston office and his Las Vegas home, now treating the case as a possible manslaughter.

Propofol is an anesthetic typically used to induce unconsciousness in patients before a major surgery. Murray said he previously administered the drug to help Jackson sleep and then stopped the IV drip when the singer wanted to wake up. Experts in the field say the drug is only administered in hospitals and there is no reason the drug should have been in Jackson's home. Toxicology reports are still pending, but thus far many people are looking to blame Murray for Jackson's death, as the drug allegedly caused his heart to stop.

"They (the family) are suspicious of this doctor and they have real reason to be, because any other doctor would say 'Here's what happened in the last hour of his life and I was there. I gave him some medicine,'" says family friend and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson. "(Murray) owes it to the family and to the public to say, 'These were the last hours of Michael's life and here's what happened.' That's a reasonable expectation."

At this point, police say Murray is cooperating and have not labeled him a suspect, but are still investigating. Murray's lawyer, Edward Chernoff, claims the doctor "didn't prescribe or administer anything that should have killed Michael Jackson." While searching Jackson's home, police found propofol and other liquid sedatives "big enough to fill two gym bags" hidden in a closet. An IV line and three oxygen tanks were in the star's bedroom and 15 additional tanks were kept in a security guard's shack.

It looks like Michael was suffering from various drug dependencies, and according to previous discoveries by detectives, he had what appears to be many illegally obtained prescriptions. Insiders claim Jackson has suffered from addiction for years. Should Murray be held accountable for administering what may have been Jackson's final dose? Doesn't a doctor have to accept legal responsibility for giving a patient drugs that could potentially be fatal?
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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 16
  • Katzir's Avatar
    Posted by Katzir Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:56pm PDT

    Yes it would be fair,because he never should have had it in the first place!

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  • Kathy's Avatar
    Posted by Kathy Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:17pm PDT

    Yes, I believe the doctor is partially accountable, but I also think Michael Jackson bears some responsibility as well. Had this doctor refused to administer the medication or medications, I believe Mr. Jackson would have gone elsewhere for his fix.

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  • opiniononly's Avatar
    Posted by opiniononly Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:41pm PDT

    It is not a question of 'fair', it is a question of legal and professional accountability and medical ethics...none of which are foreign concepts to the business and practice of medicine. IF any medical professional gets so caught up in the fame and fortunes of their clients to the point they disregard medical judgment to provide drugs that clearly are being misused and abused, yes, the doc should be held accountable. Otherwise,they are nothing more than licensed pushers.

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  • Lucky's Avatar
    Posted by Lucky Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:22pm PDT

    YES. As a physician he should first DO NO HARM.

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  • krypton 3's Avatar
    Posted by krypton 3 Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:41pm PDT

    no. any drug can be lethal. the problem is with the dose not the drug.

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  • Doktor Eevol's Avatar
    Posted by Doktor Eevol Tue Jul 28, 2009 5:22pm PDT

    Meh, I don't think the doctor has ALL the blame. Jackson has some responsibility too for being addicted. However, the doctor has to take responsibilities for any action or negligence that is part of Jackson's death. Especially since these drugs are meant to be administered in a hospital environment under careful observation.

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  • da momma's Avatar
    Posted by da momma Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:22pm PDT

    If you provide drugs/medication to an individual that does not require them medically then you are a "drug dealer". So who should be held responsible? The drug dealer or the drug addict. The professional "drug dealer" had a moral/ethical obligation as a doctor which he chose to ignore, the druggie, well what can I say, was a druggie and he chose this path. We should learn more about the people we throw parties for, as he is not an example I want my children to uphold.

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  • Holly's Avatar
    Posted by Holly Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:28pm PDT

    Well, Jackson was capable of saying "no".

    My point is, who cares? It's not like Michael Jackson did anything great for this country.

    Why don't people make a big deal out of every soldier who has given his or her life?

    just because the man could sing, doesn't mean s---.

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  • Bojana's Avatar
    Posted by Bojana Wed Jul 29, 2009 3:19am PDT

    Why should somebody blame Michael's doctor? His doctor is not a God. If doctors were God, they wouldn't be sick and wouldn't die at all.

    I think, everybody should leave in peace Dr. Conrad Murray. He is a very nice man and I think he is not able to kill anybody.

    Bobbie

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  • lola's Avatar
    Posted by lola Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:43am PDT

    yes its fair as a doctor he knows better then to give michael this drug shame on him and because of this we lost a great icon its sad to think if un have money doctors will give u anything u want

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Comments 1-10 of 16

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