...gets to call the shots on how our lives should be controlled. It might mean to continue living your life with the utmost humility or it might mean meeting the Lord before some of your family members and friends do. I am a firm believer in the fact that life should begin and end at the will of the Lord. So of course, I think euthanasia is immorally wrong. The American people need to know that history shows that euthanasia is inhumane, that the Catholic Church sees it as a debatable issue, and that it seems that the United States view on euthanasia has probably remained the same throughout the years. The definition of euthanasia has stayed the same throughout the years. So, it seems the definition does not change with the times. Euthanasia is the intentional killing or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit. Euthanasia takes a life, not saves one. There is more than one way to end a person’s life. First, there is euthanasia by action. This is when a person is intentionally causing a person’s death by performing an action such as by giving a lethal injection. Euthanasia by action is an action that should not be taken by another human...
Words: 1963 - Pages: 8
...in the world today is to legalize euthanasia, and already several countries are considering the passing of legal bills to make euthanasia legal. Argument I: Euthanasia in our modern time is seen as a merciful solution, not as a crime, and it is justified by human feelings and understanding. A- Counter Argument: Euthanasia is nothing than an act of suicide, and hence, it is as morally wrong and unacceptable as suicide is. B- Refutation: Suicide and euthanasia are morally different because suicide is the choice of death as one of several options whereas in euthanasia it is the only choice to end permanent and unbearable pain and suffering. Argument II: Euthanasia should be legalized because this is the only way to regulate a concept that is practiced all over the world anyway. A- Counter Argument: Doctors who assist patients to commit euthanasia should be punished as criminals, because according to their oath, they are supposed to elongate the lives of their patients, not to end them. B- Refutation: Doctors who assist euthanasia cannot be treated as criminals if their intentions are to relieve patients of permanent and unbearable suffering. Medical assisted euthanasia is not in violation with the oath that doctors take to relieve their patients of unbearable and permanent pain. Argument III: Euthanasia has deep roots as it has been practiced by human civilizations. A- Counter Argument: Euthanasia was practiced by barbarian and inhuman...
Words: 1641 - Pages: 7
...Euthanasia Euthanasia is an assisted suicide, also known as mercy killing. In other words, it is the act of killing someone who has a painful incurable disease. Actually, euthanasia is a very controversial issue. Some people claim that it is a solution for patients who are terminally ill. However, I totally disagree with this kind of solution. 3.1 Autonomy People's autonomy or self-determination is an important concept in the debate on legalizing euthanasia. Proponents argue that the ban on euthanasia imposes too great a limit on the individual's scope for controlling the end of his or her life and what shape death will take. Opponents, on the other hand, argue that self-determination would be false autonomy with respect to euthanasia, or...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...IssUEs Of EUThANAsIA: ARGUmENTATIvE EssAy Bilal S. H. Badr Naga Majd T. Mrayyan (1) Bilal S. H. Badr Naga., MSN, RN, Prince Sultan Cardiac Center in Qassim, Saudi Arabia (2) Majd T. Mrayyan., Prof, RN, The Hashemite University, Jordan Correspondence: Bilal S. H. Badr Naga., MSN, RN, Prince Sultan Cardiac Center in Qassim, Saudi Arabia Email: Bilal_badrnaga@yahoo.com Case scenario Abstract Euthanasia is one of the issues that has been the subject of intense debate over time. It has been a pertinent issue in human rights discourse as it also affects ethical and legal issues pertaining to patients and health care providers. This paper discusses the legal and ethical debates concerning both types of euthanasia. It focuses on both the supporter of euthanasia and the opponent of euthanasia. Several statements for the Euthanasia argument arediscussed: a merciful response that alleviates the suffering of patients which is sometimes wrongly perceived to be otherwise unrelievable; the autonomy in which the patient has the right to make his own choices; the regulation and legislation of existing practices of euthanasia to protect health care providers and patients. In this heated debate religious, political, ethical, legal and personal views are also included. Among all these, those who desperately want to end their lives because they simply cannot go on in any way, are the ones who suffer. Every individual or group has a different viewpoint regarding euthanasia. Euthanasia is considered...
Words: 7058 - Pages: 29
...However, the ethical issue we have taken up is about death which is induced before time. The background setting for our live case is the very debatable issue of “Euthanasia”. Literally, euthanasia means “Good Death” (Greek: eu = good, thanatos = death). More formally, euthanasia means the intentional act or practice of painlessly putting to death persons suffering from an incurable and distressing disease as an act of mercy, which is not necessarily at the request of the patient. Forms of Euthanasia: • Voluntary euthanasia: When the patient has requested the death. • Non-voluntary: When the patient has not made any request and gave no consent. • Assisted suicide: Someone provides an individual with the information, guidance, and means to take his or her own life with the intention that they will be used for this purpose. When it is a doctor who helps another person to kill themselves it is called "physician assisted suicide." • Euthanasia by Action: Intentionally causing a person's death by performing an action such as by giving a lethal injection. • Euthanasia by Omission: Intentionally causing death by not providing necessary and ordinary (usual and customary) care or food and water. Euthanasia evokes a mixed reaction among people who come across it. For some, it is unimaginable to end a human life and yet some think it is justified to end a life which is not worth of dignity. There are several moral and ethical issues concerning this topic and we will...
Words: 2423 - Pages: 10
...never able to walk, talk, eat, or drink without the aid of a helper ("Mom's Fight to Let 12-Year-Old Daughter Die in Peace," n.d.). One of the illnesses she suffered, from birth, from Hydrocephalus, which in laymen’s terms means that she excess accumulation of fluid on her brain. Hydrocephalus results in widening of spaces in brain ventricles which in turn create harmful pressure on brain tissue ("Hydrocephalus Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)," n.d.). A human the age of Nancy who possesses Hydrocephalus would most likely suffer from headaches, vomiting, nausea, blurred vision, and balance problems. Another illness that Nancy had suffered from since birth was Meningitis, which is a severe infection that causes the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cords to become inflamed. Having Meningitis, would have caused Nancy to experience symptoms such as sudden high fevers, neck stiffness, joint pain, drowsiness, and persistent severe headaches among other various symptoms ("Meningococcal Meningitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Vaccines," n.d.). In addition to Hydrocephalus and Meningitis, Nancy since birth had also suffered from Septicemia, a serious medical condition, that is caused by an, overwhelming response to infections, in which infection fighting chemicals are released into the blood cause internal inflammation. The widespread inflammation could lead to numerous internal health problems such as organ damage, blood clotting,...
Words: 1439 - Pages: 6
...THE CHURCH, EUTHANASIA and ASSISTED SUICIDE Euthanasia also known as “mercy killing” and assisted suicide are worldwide controversial issues. According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the word euthanasia comes from Greek, meaning easy death (eu: easy, thanatos: death). Euthanasia means to end the life of a person who is terminally ill or suffering from severe pain, in a deliberate way. At the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) webpage, in the section Ethics guides, under the title of Forms of Euthanasia, Religions and Death? (2009), different types of euthanasia are described, such as indirect, active, passive, voluntary, involuntary and non voluntary. On the other hand, assisted suicide is usually performed with the help of a health professional; that is why; it is usually called Physician Assisted Suicide (or PAS). The main controversy is over the different opinions on whether it is the sick patient’s decision or if it is a legal, ethical or religious issue to be considered by a third party. In order to practice assisted suicide in a country where it is legal, many factors should be present, such as the moral and religious beliefs of the patient and the physician or the patient’s family and the physician, as well as the legislation of the country where it is going to be carried out. At present, in countries where euthanasia is not legalized yet, it is very difficult to obtain legal permission to practice it. As regards the ethical...
Words: 2869 - Pages: 12
...Human Euthanasia Euthanasia comes from the Greek word Eu-Thantos, meaning “easy death” or “well-death.” Today, human euthanasia, or physician assisted suicide, tends to have a negative connotation. However, in modern society, human euthanasia is meant to be performed on terminally ill patients who are in unbearable suffering or poor physical condition, making the patient’s quality of life inhumane. Contrary to popular belief, human euthanasia is not murder; it is assisting a patient in dying with dignity. Even though everyone is entitled to die with dignity, our society does not condone this. Those opposed to this practice argue the religious morality of it. Most patients suffering from a terminal illness or debilitating disease are in favor of euthanasia. The Supreme Court, however, has gone back and forth in recent years as to the legality of human euthanasia. Anyone who is suffering should be able to have the ultimate say as to whether or not they continue to live in pain, or die quietly with dignity. For terminally ill Americans such as those suffering from end stage cancers, AIDS, and Lou Gehrig’s Disease, among others, assisted suicide is not an option, unless they reside in Washington, Oregon, and as of 2009, Montana. In these three states, when death is foreseen within the next six months, and the pain is becoming too much, a patient has the right to request euthanasia. They must be over eighteen, as well as verified by two doctors to be of sound mind. However...
Words: 589 - Pages: 3
...Euthanasia: The Dignity of End of Life There are many questions that can be asked on the very controversial topic of assisted euthanasia. The most common views or beliefs of this medical dilemma can be said to be extremely for or against the process of euthanasia. Opposition can argue that assisted suicide devalues human life, is ethically and religiously immoral, and can lead to purification of society or performing euthanasia for financial reasons. Although these are valid political and religious arguments to consider, a much more personal view must be argued. The quality versus the quantity of the patient’s life, the patient’s personal wants and feelings, and the family must be taken into consideration. “There is no single, objectively correct answer for everyone as to when, if at all, one’s life becomes all things considered a burden and unwanted. If self-determination is a fundamental value, then the great variability among people on this question makes it especially important that individuals control the manner, circumstances, and timing of their death and dying.” (Cassle and Meier, 1990) The patient’s specific illnesses, the treatment that has already been endured, and the projected outcome of the disease should also be looked at when asking if assisted euthanasia/suicide should be morally and legally accepted by society. Although there are many religious and political points of view on assisted euthanasia, the patient’s individual circumstances and own personal...
Words: 1990 - Pages: 8
...Moral Ethics Name Course Date Essay 1 Impact moral reasoning about the rights of animals Animal rights cover all aspects on wellbeing and how human beings are supposed to relate with animals. There are several theories that are introduced to present ethical relationship that exist between animals and human being. Moral equality theories develop equal considerations and other status of moral aspects that are accorded to animals. This is through refuting some of the moral relevancies of fore mentioning the special characters or properties of human perception as a being. Therefore, through the support of different theories, moral equality is also supposed to be extended to animal rights (Tännsjö, 2008.). This is on the ground of similarity of characteristics and qualities such as physiological and mental level in capacities. Therefore, through the moral impacts, reasoning about the animal rights is approached from different dimensions and concrete conclusion shows the need of having morals and ethical framework considering the rights of animals. Examples compact impacts ethical decisions about animals There are different examples that are used to illustrate the relationship that exist among animals and human being (Tännsjö, 2008.). The ethical morals are supposed to cover positive relationship that enhances better life of the animals. Therefore, the major ethical factor is ensuring safety of the animals. It helps to identify their health and ethical relationship through...
Words: 899 - Pages: 4
...PHI 115- Ethics 5/7/2014 Euthanasia The purpose of this research paper is to prove that the process of euthanasia is wrong, it is against the natural and moral end of human’s life , and the most of all , it is unethical. Euthanasia from Greek: “good death” or “mercy killing”, is the practice of ending of life intentionally to relieve intractable problem of suffering. There are plenty of ethical issues to discuss, regarding this one. Proponents of euthanasia consider that death filled with suffering is wrongful and bad death. That is why these people are for legalization of euthanasia. On the other hand, opponents( including my person) of euthanasia would say that any deliberate effort to cause death is wrong and against eternal law ( God’s law). Ethics and morality, basically state the same to many people and they mean exactly one. For Instance, morality refers to personal character, belief and behavior, ethics is the reflection on morality with that person’s actions and his /her professionalism. When we say an ethical person or a moral person, that is the same meaning. Very often, in or common life we can hear both terms like medical ethics or bioethics, they both describe the same and have the same meaning. These are the guidelines...
Words: 2846 - Pages: 12
...One of the most public and controversial social issues today surrounds the issues of euthanasia. A review of current legal and scientific materials, also, demonstrate that this challenge is a complex and contentious one that crosses various perspectives and hypothetical orientations. Therefore main point of research will cover perspectives of human euthanasia for doctors and etic of assisted suicide among people depending on religious aspects of every religion. There are different euthanasia laws in each country. This is consequence of divisive public controversy over the moral, ethical, and legal issues of euthanasia. As of October 2015, human euthanasia is legal only in the Netherlands, Belgium, Colombia and Luxembourg. Assisted...
Words: 285 - Pages: 2
...Our democracy should not legalize active voluntary, active nonvoluntary euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide, but should be given as a choice to patients in some extreme cases. Euthanasia is defined as the painless killing of a patient suffering from a terminal illness, disability, or coma. Euthanasia has sparked a strong debate in society, and continues to be controversial on whether it should be practiced at all. Euthanasia attacks the basis of many individual’s ethical beliefs and causes many to fear that how individuals view life will deteriorate in life. The debate also disrupts the world of physicians and their morals on if they want to be given the power to take a patient’s life. But the most salient person to make the decision is the patient. The patient has their own beliefs and choices on how they would like to leave this world. However, because of the harm that could be done to the value of human life and the vulnerable of society, the practice of either euthanasia or physician-assisted...
Words: 1300 - Pages: 6
...patients die in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and at home. For people reaching and the end of life, continuing to suffer may appear worse than death. The suffering can be so great that the option of ending one’s life through either euthanasia or physician assisted suicide may appear to be a reasonable and merciful choice. “Euthanasia is an act where a third party, usually implied to be a physician, terminates the life of a person; either passively or actively. 14 Euthanasia is also defined as “the mercy killing of the hopelessly ill, injured or incapacitated.” (Athar, 2006). Active euthanasia requires performing some action that terminates the life of a person. An example of an active euthanasia intervention would be a situation where a physician would inject a patient with a lethal dose of a drug.14 In cases of voluntary, active euthanasia, a competent patient who wishes to avoid suffering and a slow dying process asks a physician to terminate his or her life. The concept of “death with dignity” or allowing patients to retain dignity as they die is a popular argument among those who support active euthanasia.14 Proponents of euthanasia basically build their position on two reasons: the first is self determination and respect for human autonomy, and the second is compassion and kindness to the patient with...
Words: 1054 - Pages: 5
...The Ethics of Euthanasia The ethical nature of euthanasia, or assisted suicide, in the United States has been contested for decades, which brings about the proliferation of biomedical morality. According to the New Health Guide, as of June 2015, euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Colombia and Luxembourg. Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Albania and in American states of Washington, Oregon, Vermont, New Mexico and Montana. Because euthanasia is not legal throughout the United States, there is a divisive public controversy over the moral, ethical, and legal ramifications. In order to establish a clear understanding of these issues, I will define the terms in question and provide an all-encompassing interpretation. There are only slight differences between euthanasia and assisted suicide, and that is a disparity in the degree of involvement and behavior. Assisted suicide entails making the lethal mechanism available to the patient to be used at a time of the patient’s own choosing. By contrast, euthanasia entails the physician taking an active role in carrying out the patient’s request, and usually involves endovenous, or within a vein, delivery of a lethal substance. For the sake of this paper, I will consider both of them equal issues in the bioethical paradigm, and use them interchangeably. The objective of this paper is to outline two ethical theories, utilitarianism and Kantianism, in regards to the concept of euthanasia and bring about...
Words: 1551 - Pages: 7
