Assisted Suicide 2 Essay, Research Paper
An advocate of assisted-suicide, Dr. Kevorkian, has recently been convicted of 2nd degree murder for an assisted-suicide and faces up to 25 years. Kevorkian claims to have assisted in over 130 suicides since 1990. Three earlier juries have acquitted him, and a mistrial was declared in his fourth case. In his most recent case, he was charged with murder for the lethal injection of 52 year old Thomas Youk, who suffered from Lou Gehrig s disease. Youk was the first case in which Kevorkian delivered the fatal dose of drugs himself. He filmed the death and turned it over to 60 Minutes , essentially for publicity and to end up in court again. Although Kevorkian wanted to be in court to battle the issue of assisted suicide, Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor John Skrzynski told the jury that This case is not about the right to die. This case is about Jack Kevorkian s right to kill. (1) Beyond the issue at hand, the fact is that Dr. Kevorkian killed someone, for which he was on trial. Whether or not it is ethical or morally correct, he was on trial for the murder of a man which he obviously committed. He was also convicted of delivering a controlled substance and he may serve up to an additional seven years for that offence.
Many people are upset about his conviction, including the Youk family, however the justice system is very pleased with it. Judge Jessica Cooper reproached Kevorkian, whose medical license was revoked eight years ago, for his blatant dismissal of the law. No one, sir, is above the law. No one, she said. (2) The legal system is obviously very pleased with the conviction because Kevorkian has evaded the law for so long by taking part in so many assisted-suicides and not serving any time. Because he filmed this one and showed it on national TV, the prosecution had a much better case, and was able to convict him finally, after being embarrassed for so long. Now that Kevorkian has been convicted, they are cracking down on other people involved in assisted-suicides as well, and trying to really enforce the illegality of it. An associate of Dr. Kevorkian, Dr. George Reding, is being investigated for the death of Donna Brennan whose death was caused by an overdose of the sedative pentobarbital. Evidence relating to her death was found at his home, including files that include apparent medical records of patients across the country. His attorney, Michael Schwartz, says that authorities, ever since the Kevorkian sentencing, are harassing Reding, now that they are determined to convict anyone involved.
Authorities are not the only ones against assisted-suicides as religious persons also readily oppose them. A common feeling among religious leaders is that life is a gift that only God can take away. Also, they feel that the criterion used by Dr. Kevorkian was not strict enough, and that people had no way to change their mind once the procedure started. Also, they feel that assisted suicide would give elderly people a chance to lift the burden that they feel they are on their families, therefore giving them a reason to want to commit suicide, when they don t actually want to. They not only do they think it is morally wrong, but they see too many problems with the procedure.
The trial did bring attention to the subject however, which is what Kevorkian wanted, and now many people are in the spotlight about what they are going to do about the issue. Oregon was the first state to allow a physician to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to a terminally ill patient. There is a bill in California that may be passed concerning assisted-suicide that would make it legal under strict rules. A few of the requirements are that the person has to have a diagnosis that they are within six months of death, have two doctors review the case, and must voluntarily request assistance in dying. Such steps are being made to try to make it an option for the terminally ill, and I believe it is the right thing to do.
Assisted-suicide is a very serious issue that has been debated about for years, and is still very controversial. It is an issue similar to abortion in that it basically deals with people who are pro-life and pro-choice, with the majority of people falling somewhere in between those two extremes. Supporters essentially believe that we have the choice to end our lives under the circumstance of terminal illness and suffering. Those opposed to assisted-suicide view it as murder, and feel that people involved should be punished accordingly. Although I dislike the idea very strongly of suicide, I feel that in the circumstances of the people involved in the assisted-suicides, it should be allowed. The people who have already been involved in this are people who have no chance of survival, and will live the rest of their lives in a hospital and in pain. They don t want to live anymore, and they shouldn t have to. Some fear that with the legality of assisted-suicide people will feel that it is okay to commit suicide even if they aren t terminally ill. Many fear that it will lower people s standard of life if it is legal to commit suicide. I don t believe that this is so. If assisted-suicide were made legal, there would be very strict rules to be followed concerning procedure and those eligible, and people who are suicidal already would not be affected at all. I don t believe that the legality of it would influence them at all to commit suicide. If a person really wants to commit suicide, the fact that it is illegal has nothing to do with their decision. Breaking the law is the last thing that affects their decision, so if it were legal, it would make no difference whatsoever. Assisted-suicide, whether legal or not, will continue to happen, yet with the correct criteria and legally, it could be an option for those who in their suffering may not value their ending lives.
Другие работы по теме:
A Rational Conclusion Essay Research Paper Imagine
A Rational Conclusion Essay, Research Paper Imagine your life as it is now. You drudge to work everyday and do not get enough sleep half of the time, but you are reasonably healthy and happy. Now, how would you feel if you are dying from cancer and can no longer feed or bathe yourself, or even speak coherently? What if you can hardly move because you are so weak and you are bedridden? What if you are in a situation where you are constantly suffering from pain, and doctors will not give you adequate pain medications because they fear you will get addicted or fear you will die if they give you enough medication to ease your suffering? What if you have lost all bodily function and your family is hurting to see you in so much distress? What if you have been in the hospital for over a year and your medical bills are soaring and you cannot remember what fresh air smells like? I am sure that
Should Assisted Suicide Be Legalized Essay Research
Paper Should assisted suicide be legalized? As the society has been developed, the needs of its people’s freedom and right have also increase. People even touch the domain of death which many other are scare of. The question about legalizing assisted suicide is one the most argumentative topic. Lots of people support the legalization of assisted suicide, but many of them have wrong assumptions about suicide.
Case Queen Versus Dudley And Stephens Essay
, Research Paper In the case Queen versus Dudley and Stephens the criticism that is most applicable is the third one about moral inconsistencies in the law. In this case the law teaches us that, in a situation such as the one Dudley and Stephens found themselves in, it is more moral to sacrifice our lives than to preserve it.
Physician Assisted Suicide Essay Research Paper Scott
Physician Assisted Suicide Essay, Research Paper Scott DeBoer DeBoer 1 9-26-2001 Physician Assisted Suicide How could someone wake up every day sick, in constant pain and feeling horrible every minute of existence? This is not a good way to live from anybodies point of view. The time may come when suffering, just is not worth living.
Physican Assisted Suicide Essay Research Paper Physicianassisted
Physican Assisted Suicide Essay, Research Paper Physician-assisted suicide occurs when a physician helps a person take his or her own life by giving advice, writing a prescription for lethal medication, or assisting the individual with some device which allows the person to take his or her own life. The physician lends expertise, but the person does the act.
Assisted Suicides Essay Research Paper The background
Assisted Suicides Essay, Research Paper The background for this work is that the existing conflict over legalizing assisted suicides and euthanasia could bring our values down and society apart. The problem is not legalizing or opposing to it, the real problem is to find a way to care for the terminally ill.
Assisted Suicide Cannot Be A Right Essay
, Research Paper Everyone who is born will die. All humans face death sooner or laterin their lifetime. It is the wish of many, especially sufferingindividuals, to die peacefully and without pain. Death is beyond ourcontrol, but should we be allowed to decide the time of our death?There are proponents on both sides of this controversial issue, butwith all the complications and dangers associated with legalizingassisted suicide, it should not become an option available toanyone.Many believe that individuals suffering immensely physically deservethe right to end their pain.
Assisted Suicide Essay Research Paper Imagine you
Assisted Suicide Essay, Research Paper Imagine you have just found out you are going to die within three months. Recently the questions have been changed from, |What am I going to do with the rest of my life?X to |When should I kill myself?X With painful and crippling diseases such as AIDS and cancer, and Alzheimers along with doctors such as Dr.
Right To Die 2 Essay Research Paper
Right to Die Physician-assisted suicide presents one of the greatest dilemmas to families across the nation today. There are many who are suffering unnecessarily everyday, who want to partake in physician -assisted suicide. Should someone who is mentally competent, but labeled terminally ill, be allowed to engage in physician -assisted suicide? According to society, the terminally ill do not have the right to take their own life or be assisted.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper Assisted SuicideA great
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Assisted Suicide A great deal of debate surrounds the practice of assisted suicide. Lately, laws against voluntary euthanasia have been eased, although serious moral and legal questions still exist. Most opposition of assisted suicide comes from religious groups, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Assisted Suicide Essay Research Paper People are
Assisted Suicide Essay, Research Paper People are probaly confused at the fact that society approving people to be euthanized. Obviously, if it was stated in a letter to the editor in the Detroit Free Press entitled, “Death, Dignity.” The writer is simply saying it’s okay to end lives. It also states that John Engler, our state government, is supporting two important projects that assist in these suicides.
Assisted Suicide Essay Research Paper Questions concerning
Assisted Suicide Essay, Research Paper Questions concerning the right to end one’s life have long generated storms of controversy. These questions, involving intensely personal views on issues no less profound than the meaning of life and liberty, are unlikely to disappear any time soon. The conservative nature of the medical profession, and the organized opposition of the “right to life” movement, along with disagreement among disabilities rights organizations, perpetuate the controversy.
Death With Dignity Essay Research Paper Death
Death With Dignity Essay, Research Paper Death With Dignity Euthanasia is a controversial subject that has been a longstanding and multifaceted debate. The argument over patient rights and physicians responsibilities has been on going since the 1950’s. Suicide is a legal act that is theoretically available to all, however many people think that euthanasia is far worse than suicide.
Dr Jack Kevorkian Disrupting The Universe Essay
, Research Paper Dr Jack Kevorkian: Disrupting the Universe Mike Cunningham 12-27-96 Social Studies 2, Mr. Johnson Dr. Jack Kevorkian did something that most people would never even think
Assisted Suicide 4 Essay Research Paper ASSISTED
Assisted Suicide 4 Essay, Research Paper ASSISTED SUICIDE I feel that assisted suicide is a practice that should not only be legally acceptable, but socially acceptable as well. No one should be forced to live a life of pain and suffering. After all, aren’t we all guaranteed the rights of life, liberty, and happiness? If happiness means freedom from pain and suffering, then assisted suicide should be legalized.
Doctor Assisted Suicide Essay Research Paper DAS
Doctor Assisted Suicide Essay, Research Paper D.A.S Murder, death, suffering. All these horrific terms are related to an extremely important and devastating issue. Doctor assisted suicide is a very important subject that many people know little about. We need to finally shut this murdering out of Oregon for good.
Euthanasia And Assisted Suicide Essay Research Paper
EUTHANASIA AND ASSISTED SUICIDE In today’s society, euthanasia and assisted suicide is a major discussion. People, who are terminally ill or are depressed, are sometimes looking for a way out. They feel that their only hope is to kill themselves. Other people in the world feel that euthanasia and assisted suicide are morally wrong.
Assisted Suicide 3 Essay Research Paper Is
Assisted Suicide 3 Essay, Research Paper Is Physician-Assisted Suicide A Solution ? Physician assisted suicide (PAS) is a very important issue. It is also important tounderstand the terms and distinction between the varying degrees to which a person can be involved in hastening the death of a terminally ill individual.
Suicide Essay Research Paper Every year thousands
Suicide Essay, Research Paper Every year thousands of teens die in the United States, not from cancer or car accidents, but by their own hand; they make the choice that they want to die, and they take their own life. Statistics conducted in 1996 reveal that every 42 seconds a teenager attempts suicide and every 16.9 minutes a teenager completes it.
Suicide My Thoughts Essay Research Paper I
Suicide: My Thoughts Essay, Research Paper I have known many adolescents who have thought about suicide. People?s reasons for suicide just cannot be legit in most cases. Some reasons are: ?my girlfriend broke up with me? or ?people make fun of me? or how about ?I don?t have any friends?? Whatever the reason for the thought of suicide, there isn?t a valid one, unless we are dealing in euthanasia.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper Retired professor and
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Retired professor and psychoanalyst Ernest Van den Haag, by defending the right to commit suicide, made an appeal to J.S. Mill?s principle. Van den Haag said that people should have the right to choose as they please, as long as no one else is hurt (Hallock 13). According to the constitution, people have the right to decide death, not the government (Dority 8).
Assisted Suicide Essay Research Paper Should assisted
Assisted Suicide Essay, Research Paper Should assisted suicide become totally legal in the U.S.? Well, that is the question that Mr. Stephen Carter seems to brutally review in his article ?Rush to a Lethal Judgement,? where it appears that he takes a stance against assisted suicide. He makes a very week argument though, and I feel he would fail at convincing most anyone.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper Euthanasia and Physician
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide Should it be legalized? Whose life is it, anyway? Euthanasia is a word that means good death. Euthanasia normally implies that the act must be initiated by the person who wishes to commit suicide. But, some people define euthanasia to include both voluntary and involuntary termination of life.
Dr Kevorkian Essay Research Paper History and
Dr. Kevorkian Essay, Research Paper History and BackgroundDr Jack Kevorkian, a 70-year-old retired pathologist, has devoted most of his life to the campaign for assisted suicide. He has admitted helping more than 130 people to end their lives. To date only 48 have cases been documented, including the assisted suicide documented on 60 MinutesDr Kevorkian was born in 1928 in Pontiac, Michigan, to a family of Armenian immigrants.
Is Phyiscian Assisted Suicide Ethical Essay Research
Paper Physician-Assisted Suicide is Ethical Jack Kevorkian addresses many aspects of physician-assisted suicide. First, he addresses the Hippocratic oath, stating that there is no oath concerning a doctor?s moral codes. Next, he addresses the slippery slope argument. Kevorkian states that the only way the slippery slope argument will take place, is if everyone is insecure and cannot control their individual actions.
Assited Suicide Essay Research Paper If you
Assited Suicide Essay, Research Paper If you had incurable disease that gave you six months to live and you were in incredible pain and were suffering, would you want to hang on for those last moments of torture? Assisted suicide is a very controversial topic. There are many people supporting it and many people opposing it.
The Controversy Over Euthanasia Essay Research Paper
The controversy over euthanasia is based on the same ethical and social platform from which the debates for abortion and capitol punishment stem. These social dilemmas all revolve around the sanctity of life and how far government can go in making choices involving individual rights. Although the debate over euthanasia is just heating up in the American judicial system, the practice of assisted suicide has been around for centuries, Modern advances in medicine and technology have helped doctors in prolonging life.
Suicide Essay Research Paper Social Problem Teen
Suicide Essay, Research Paper -Social Problem: Teen Suicide -Social Problem- Any problem that may cause pain and may affect a person?s life. ? Teen Suicide- Intentional and self-inflicted death.
Assited Suicide Essay Research Paper The man
Assited Suicide Essay, Research Paper ?The man who, in a fit of melancholy, kills himself today would have wanted to live had he a week.?(Voltaire) In the U.S. assisted suicide has become all too common. Mr. Jack Kevorkian, otherwise known as Dr. Death, might be the reason for this unethical uprising. Assisted suicide in those who fear they are too old, mentally unstable, or suffering from an incurable illness, doesn?t solve any problems.
Euthenasia In Australia Essay Research Paper Euthenasia
Euthenasia In Australia Essay, Research Paper Euthenasia In Australia Euthanasia Sometimes, life can deteriorate to the point where a person loses their dignity and self-respect, and are unable to communicate; life like this is longer worth living, as the most enjoyable of things are no-longer enjoyable.