Doctors are often confronted such a choice: to lie or not to lie to their patient. Studies show that they often believe it is reasonable to lie for the patients own sake. Most doctors believe that the seriously ill do not want to know the truth about their condition, and if they tell them the truth, they may lose their hope. Because of such a belief, many doctors may tell white lies to their patients.

　　But now facts are proving that these doctors are wrong. Actually, an overwhelming majority of patients do want to know the truth. We are also learning that truthful information can help patients deal with their disease if we tell it in a proper way.

　　Lies cannot help the patients. Besides, they invade their autonomy and make them unable to make sound decisions. Lies also do harm to those who tell them, their colleagues and the entire medical profession. Therefore, we need to debate this issue openly and put an end to professional deception.

　　18.The Leaning Tower of Pisa

　　The tower of Pisa has never been upright. Its leaning can date back to the time not long after it was built in 1173. First, the tower tilted towards the north. Then during the prolonged process of construction till 1370, the tower had always been leaning to the south.

　　Throughout the monuments history, many efforts have been made to halt the lean. These efforts have so far helped prevented the tower from topping over. But since 1911, the offset at the top of the tower has increased at a fairly consistent rate. Shortly after 1989, for the sake of safety, the tower at Pisa was closed to visitors.

　　In 1990, a special commission was organized to find new ways to save the tower. At first the commission worked mainly on the outside of the tower, but in the next few months, more radical techniques will be tried to stop the towers lean. The ultimate goal is not to straighten the tower but to ease its top back a little. With luck, the landmark can stand into the next century.

　　Doctors are often confronted such a choice: to lie or not to lie to their patient. Studies show that they often believe it is reasonable to lie for the patients own sake. Most doctors believe that the seriously ill do not want to know the truth about their condition, and if they tell them the truth, they may lose their hope. Because of such a belief, many doctors may tell white lies to their patients.

　　But now facts are proving that these doctors are wrong. Actually, an overwhelming majority of patients do want to know the truth. We are also learning that truthful information can help patients deal with their disease if we tell it in a proper way.

　　Lies cannot help the patients. Besides, they invade their autonomy and make them unable to make sound decisions. Lies also do harm to those who tell them, their colleagues and the entire medical profession. Therefore, we need to debate this issue openly and put an end to professional deception.

　　18.The Leaning Tower of Pisa

　　The tower of Pisa has never been upright. Its leaning can date back to the time not long after it was built in 1173. First, the tower tilted towards the north. Then during the prolonged process of construction till 1370, the tower had always been leaning to the south.

　　Throughout the monuments history, many efforts have been made to halt the lean. These efforts have so far helped prevented the tower from topping over. But since 1911, the offset at the top of the tower has increased at a fairly consistent rate. Shortly after 1989, for the sake of safety, the tower at Pisa was closed to visitors.

　　In 1990, a special commission was organized to find new ways to save the tower. At first the commission worked mainly on the outside of the tower, but in the next few months, more radical techniques will be tried to stop the towers lean. The ultimate goal is not to straighten the tower but to ease its top back a little. With luck, the landmark can stand into the next century.