Euthanasia Debate(Phl) Essay, Research Paper
Passive euthanasia is the deliberate disconnection of life support equipment, or cessation of any life sustaining medical procedure, permitting the natural death of the patient (EROG). Allowing an individual the right to choose if they want to fight to save their own life or to be allowed to die a nature death is becoming a major issue in today’s society. This is not just a present day issue; it has been a topic of debate for many years. In 1906 Ohio drafted It’s first euthanasia bill and then in 1938 The Euthanasia Society of America was founded (EROG). 1976 though was a turning point for euthanasia in the United States as the Quinlan Family goes all the way to the New Jersey Supreme Court to be allowed to disconnect the respirator from their comatose daughter. The courts approved the families’ request (EROG). Also in 1976 California passes the nation’s first Living Will law. A Living Will is the popular name for an advance directive by which a person requests in writing for a physician not to connect life supporting equipment if this procedure is merely going to delay an inevitable death (EROG). There are many people who feel that they do not want to have their death delayed by extraordinary means. Allowing passive euthanasia, gives individuals the right to decide about their own life. A right that I will try to show to you should not be taken away from any person.
Assumptions
All possible means should be used to save a life. This is not the best possible alternative. Life at all cost can become an enormous financial stress for families. There is also the added stress of taking care of a loved of that is totally dependent on others. When others are allowed to make the decision for live at all cost for an individual that is seriously ill or injured, they are generally thinking only of themselves and not the quality of life this person may have after the illness or injury. As John Miller states in one of his articles in The American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care; ” When we fall to the extremes, we take choices away from those who we believe we are helping.” Life at all cost if allowed could be taken to the extreme.
Values Protected
Assisted Suicide Passive euthanasia Life at all cost
Freedom of choice.Death with dignity.Individual liberty. Freedom of choice.Death with dignity.Individual liberty.Financial stability for families.Quality of life. Preservation of life.Protection of Doctor’s oath.Love and caring of a family member.
With assisted suicide and passive euthanasia, a patient is given the freedom to choose what happens with their life; but with life at all cost it is usually the family or the medical personal making the decisions for the patient. Protection of a doctor’s medical oath comes secondary to the freedom to choice for an individual. Taking away a person’s right to make their own decision about their life is not correct. No one knows what is best for an individual except the person involved in the decision. According to the Hemlock Society, if you are terminally ill, a person has the right to refuse treatment even if they will die without it. To demand and to receive adequate medication for pain control even if it will shorten your life. Life at all cost can be very expensive. Medical procedures and health care for a patient can be taken too far, cost families a great deal of money and emotional stress of taking care of a loved one. With passive euthanasia a patient is allowed to die with dignity. There is no extraordinary measure taken to save the patient’s life, which can also lower the medical expenses a family endures through a tragedy. Passive euthanasia allows a person to die naturally and with today’s hospice programs, the patient is medicated to help relieve the unwanted pain. Assisted suicide or life at all cost can be considered extremes in today’s society. As John Miller states in his article called “Hospice Care or Assisted Suicide”; “When we fall to the extremes. We take choices away from those who we believe we are helping. But, there is a middle ground. When we aim for that middle ground, we all win.”
Double Effect
G.C.= Patient dies a nature death.
(A1) Passive euthanasia—–
B.C.=Feeling of guilt.
1. Passive euthanasia is indifferent. (pass)
2. The feeling of guilt (bc) does not bring about the natural death of the patient (gc). (pass)
3. The feeling of guilt (bc) is not intended. (pass)
4. To allow a natural death (gc) is worth permitting the feeling of guilt (bc). (pass)
G.C.= No more pain and suffering for the patient.
(A2) Assisted suicide———
B.C.= Death.
1. Assisted suicide is indifferent. (pass)
2. Death (bc) does bring about No more pain and suffering for the patient (gc). (fail)
G.C.= Life.
(A3) Life at all cost.———-
B.C.= Patient may suffer great pain.
1. Life at all cost is indifferent. (pass)
2. Patient may suffer great pain (bc) does bring about Life. (fail)
After applying the double effect criteria, a conclusion can be reached that passive euthanasia is morally acceptable. Assisted suicide is ending a life before it is suppose to end. Life at all cost does not benefit the patient; it only puts a patient through a possible painful dreaded life to lead. Allowing a person to make their own decisions is an absolute right that we all have. So if a person decided to refuse medical treatment, it is their right to do so. Most doctors do not take the Hippocratic Oath nowadays. They take an oath, which emphasizes the relief of suffering and respecting their patient’s wishes. (Girsh) Now doctor’s can protect the rights of life instead of just life in itself. Action taken to relieve the suffering of the patient at the risk of perhaps shortening their life. This sort of action is part of a doctor’s calling. His vocation is not only that of curing diseases or prolonging life, but, much more generally, also that of taking care of a sick person and relieving their suffering. (O’Rourke) The policy statement on passive euthanasia for the American Medical Association states;
The intentional termination of life of one human being by another-mercy killing- is contrary to that for which the medical profession stands and is contrary to the policy of the American Medical Association.
The cessation of the employment of extraordinary means to prolong the life of the body when there is irrefutable evidence that biological death is imminent is the decision of the patient and/or their immediate family. The advice and judgment of the physician should be freely available to the patient and/or their immediate family. (Pojman)
Bad consequences
The feeling of guilt, for not fighting to save a life that possibly could be saved is a lot for some people to deal with. But this feeling of guilt can be reduced with the understanding that the patient fully understands what the outcome of refusal of treatment and that it is the patients right to choose whether to battle life or not. When a family member feels the guilt of watching a loved one die. The family should be counseled and informed that this is the wish and the right of the patient. Prolonging an individual’s life is not always best for the family. They may end up dealing with the dying process longer than it is actually necessary to do so. Family needs to offer comfort and reassurance to the patient, so the patient knows that their family is behind them to the end. In the second edition of Ethics of Health Care the authors state:
A decision to allow oneself to die in such circumstances is not equivalent of suicide. On the contrary it should be considered as an acceptance of the human condition, or a wish to avoid the application of a medical disproportionate to the results that can be expected, or a desire not to impose excessive expense on the family or the community. (Ashley)
A person’s right of freedom to decide what is best for themselves is an absolute right. A right that cannot be taken away from anybody. No person should have to suffer through extraordinary means to live. If an individual has the knowledge given to them that their death is imminent, they should be allowed to refuse treatment to prolong their life, but they should still be allowed assistance when dealing with the physical and emotional pain of dying.
Work Cited
Ashley, Benedict M. O.P. and Kevin D. O’Rourke. O.P. Ethics of Health Care: An Introductory Textbook. 2nd edition. Washington D.C. Georgetown University Press.1994
Girsh, Faye. Ed.D. ” Would You Take a House Call From Dr. Kevorkian? Should Physician Assisted Suicide Be Legal in the United State?” Veterans Vision, Vol.4 No.1. Summer 1997.
Humphry, Derek. Euthanasia Research and Guidance Organization. (ERGO) 1995.
Miller, John. ” Hospice Care or Assisted Suicide: A False Dichotomy” The American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care. May/June 1997.
O’Rourke, Kevin D. O.P. and Philip Boyle. Medical Ethics: Sources of Catholic Teachings. Washington D.C. Georgetown University Press. 1993.
Pojman, Louis P. Life and Death. Boston. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. 1992.
Hemlock Society. www.hemlock. April 18, 2001
Другие работы по теме:
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper Euthanasia which comes
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia which comes from the Greek meaning of easy death is one of our societies highly debatable issues and the main reason for this argument is against active euthanasia, which is when a terminally ill patient is administered with a lethal drug or using other means to cause there death.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper Is euthanasia the
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Is euthanasia the mercy killing of someone who is in extreme pain in order to end suffering, an immoral or amoral act? Simply put, it is an immoral act even though it is intended to help another person. It is assisting in killing another human being, and ending their existence.
Civil Vs Society S Rights Essay Research
Paper When does the government have the right to tell a person how they can live their life. More and more this issue has come in to the public eye. Everything from freedom of speech to abortion has been brought up in this debate. I myself am a bit confused when it comes to where my rights stop and the government s starts, but I do know that everyone should have the right to decide when and how they die.
Euthanasia Should Be Abolished Essay Research Paper
Euthanasia is the painless, intentional death of a person who is suffering. Euthanasia is wrong because it alters our natural way of survival, and upsets religous beliefs. By using euthanasia, ?miraculous? recoveries have been prevented. People think that the easy way out of their problems is by conducting euthanasia.
Ethnobotany Essay Research Paper An Available OptionTry
Ethnobotany Essay, Research Paper An Available Option Try to imagine yourself or someone you hold close to you being very sick, so sick that just being alive each day gives more pain and suffering than the previous day. Not one person should have to suffer from a disease that is incurable and leads inevitably to death.
Euthanasia 11 Essay Research Paper In this
Euthanasia 11 Essay, Research Paper In this literary work by James Rachels, the author is fighting to make his opinion believed, rather than give an unbiased article. He is arguing about the differences between active and passive euthanasia. The author makes references to several stories to try and sway the reader to believe that the best thing to do in cases where people want to die, is to go ahead and perform assisted suicide.
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.
Argument Essay Research Paper Quantity vs QualityMany
Argument Essay, Research Paper Quantity vs. Quality Many people see death is a bad thing. People don t like it and they don t want to hear about it. For many seriously ill and vegetative patients, death is a good thing for them. Death will end their suffering from pains and they can also die with dignity. Euthanasia traditionally means a good death.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper Jason Adams
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Jason Adams Adams1 October 15, 1998 Mrs. Faulk English Per.4Euthanasia Euthanasia should be legal, because if it is their life, therefore, they have the right to be able to end their suffering. Euthanasia was formerly called Mercy killing . Euthanasia means intentionally making someone decease rather then allowing that person to die naturally.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper The medical profession
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper The medical profession has recently been caught in the middle of the social controversies that rage over euthanasia. Government and religious groups, as well as the medical profession itself have sided with the 1973 American Medical Association s euthanasia policy statement.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper In today
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper In today’s society, if you ask five people who Jack Kevorkian is then three or more would know who he is. The issue of euthanasia has been on the media’s forefront for several years. There are several pros and cons to this issue. Some of these pros are as follows: it would help to end pain and suffering, it allows a person to die with dignity, and it also helps the grieving process because the person knows when they are gonna die.
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.
Euthanasia In Australia Essay Research Paper What
Euthanasia In Australia Essay, Research Paper What is it and how is it performed?Euthanasia is the practice of ending a life so as to release an individual from an incurable disease or intolerable suffering. The term is sometimes used generally to refer to an easy or painless death. Voluntary euthanasia involves a request by the dying patient or that person’s legal representative.
Legalizing Euthanasia Essay Research Paper Legalizing euthanasia
Legalizing Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Legalizing euthanasia in the United States gives rights to the people. Rights to those who endure the irrefutable agony of pain and suffering, rights to those who want to be cured of their pain, and rights to those that struggle to end their suffering. Euthanasia is the answer to end their suffering.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper In the United
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper In the United States, by current individual state laws, any form of euthanasia is murder and considered a criminal offense (ACT). At this time there are still
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper EuthanasiaEuthanasia is just
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia Euthanasia is just another word for ?mercy killing? as some people put it but it also means good death. I look at it as more of a good death if it is performed with the right procedures and if a person has a legitimate reason to be put to death but many people would not agree with me that it should be legal.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper Euthanasia killing life
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia- killing life painlessly to end suffering, mercy killing. This pratice was traced back as far as the Greek and Roman times. As time passed religion increased and life was viewed as sacred. All forms of Euthanasia was/is now considered wrong. In the year of 1935 a group of doctors formed the first Voluntary Euthanasia Society in London.
The Ethics Of Euthanasia Essay Research Paper
Euthanasia, also mercy killing, practice of ending a life so as to release an individual from an incurable disease or intolerable suffering. The term is sometimes used generally to refer to an easy or painless death. Voluntary euthanasia involves a request by the dying patient or that person’s legal representative.
Euthansia Essay Research Paper Euthanasia has been
Euthansia Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia has been a popular topic nowadays, but not many peo0le may know about this subject in depth. In my opinion, Dr. Philip?s idea is good as it can help the elderly people to get more information about different methods of euthanasia. As euthanasia is a new issue that came up recently, most elderly people may not know much about it.
Euthanasia People Should Have The Right To
Choose Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia: People Should Have the Right to Choose There are many sides to the dilemma of whether or not euthanasia should be carried out. There is the question of morality, the question of active
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper EuthanasiaEuthanasia has brought
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia Euthanasia has brought great attention to the public eye since Dr. Jack Kevorkian was discovered for contributing to these horrible inhumane acts. At the present time, the state of Oregon has the world’s only law specifically permitting a doctor to prescribe lethal drugs for the purpose of ending a patient’s life (iaetf/faq.htm).
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.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper EuthanasiaEuthanasia may be
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia Euthanasia may be defined as taking your own/someone’s life because it is inevitable that he/she/you will die because of some painful terminal illness. Some may see it as murder/suicide and others may see it as a way out, the best thing to do. Like abortion, it is very hard for me to take an “it is right/wrong” philosophical position, because situations vary from person to person.
Eutahnasia Essay Research Paper EuthanasiaEuthanasia is an
Eutahnasia Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia Euthanasia is an issue that has been debated on many occasions. Both ethical and political questions have been raised. It is the one issue that can touch anyone, even politicians. Euthanasia is an issue that is controversial from all sides and is such a deeply felt issue across society.
Euthenasia Essay Research Paper EuthanasiaImmoral or Human
Euthenasia Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia Immoral or Human Right? Recent debates over active euthanasia, “killing” a terminally ill patient, in Holland, has risen the question whether euthanasia is immoral or a simple human right. Doctors seem to have no doubt. They made an oath.
Euthansia Article Analysis And Opinion Essay Research
Paper Euthanasia is the help with a death and is also known as ?mercy killing?. There are two types of Euthanasia: Active euthanasia and passive euthanasia. There is also active voluntary euthanasia and active involuntary euthanasia. Euthanasia is illegal in all states but Oregon, who passed a bill making it legal in 1994 under certain circumstances.
Euthanasia 15 Essay Research Paper EuthanasiaEuthanasia is
Euthanasia 15 Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia Euthanasia is, according to Webster dictionary, the act of killing an individual for the reason of mercy. This paper will examen the issue of active and passive euthanasia. Active euthanasia is an intervention that would cause death to take place when it would not otherwise happen.
Euthanasia Today Essay Research Paper Euthanasia has
Euthanasia Today Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia has been, and always will be, a controversial moral and ethical subject. While the majority of both Americans and Canadians seem to support euthanasia as indicated by the latest polls, it is still illegal in both countries. I think it is important to first distinguish between passive euthanasia and active euthanasia.
Is Euthanasia Ethical Essay Research Paper Is
Is Euthanasia Ethical Essay, Research Paper Is Euthanasia Ethical? Euthanasia Comes from the Greek word meaning the good death. It is defined as The act or practicing the end of life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper Euthanasia should not
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia should not be made legally acceptable in the present society because there are important aspects that need to be considered and handled concerning who?s to decide, extent to which a physician can practice medicine, and religious opposition to this practice.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper EUTHANASIAEuthanasiaRenaldo La FoucadeEducation
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper EUTHANASIA Euthanasia Renaldo La Foucade Education of America University Euthanasia Euthanasia Euthanasia is a topic that provokes as much controversy as capital punishment, primarily because it is irreversible. The question of euthanasia being right or wrong is one that most would prefer left alone.
Active Euthenasia Essay Research Paper The difference
Active Euthenasia Essay, Research Paper The difference between active and passive euthanasia are not quite as cruel and malicious as commonly thought. Passive euthanasia is the fairly common practice of withholding medical treatment from a patient whose biological chances of surviving are obsolete.
Brief Look At Euthanasia Essay Research Paper 2
Brief Look At Euthanasia- Essay, Research Paper Brief Look at Euthanasia- Euthanasia is one of the most acute and uncomfortable contemporary problems in medical ethics. Is Euthanasia Ethical? The