After Hurricane Katrina, a haphazard government response led to a disastrous evacuation of the medical facility. According to one news source, "By the third day without water, sanitation and power to run medical equipment; dwindling food supplies; and temperatures reaching 110 degrees, caregivers began debating among themselves about euthanasia." The hospital was surrounded by flood waters, and many of the patients and staff were evacuated by helicopter or boat. The sickest patients were left behind with staff who planned to stay until help arrived. But help was not forthcoming, and those in the hospital were on their own. It has been alleged that doctors and nurses gave lethal doses of medication to up to 34 people. Legally, this is second-degree murder.

What should be done in cases of forced abandonment? What obligations do doctors have to patients? Did the doctors and nurses act compassionately, or did they murder their patients? Take a position on this issue, have reasons to support your views, and discuss.