From a letter by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1977
"The most essential point (to put it differently): The
doctor's opinion is decisive -- according to Judaic law -- when he speaks as a
doctor (based on medical factors or life-saving measures). If, however, he
states his opinion as a state official or politician (based on political
considerations), that according to his opinion, they (i.e. those political
considerations) outweigh and eclipse the medical factors -- this is the
opposite of the ruling of the Code of Jewish Law."
