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Medical Ethics: The Truth Behind End Of Life Matter

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Running head: MEDICAL ETHICS: THE TRUTH BEHIND END OF LIFE MATTER 1

HLST 4010
Professor Geoffrey Reaume
Lilyana Nooro
211862935
April 7th, 2015

MEDICAL ETHICS: THE TRUTH BEHIND END OF LIFE MATTER 2

Medical Ethics: The truth behind end of life matter

When it comes to death and dying, the medical processes of these notions are highly controversial in ethical means. All forms of end of life are illegal in Canada, whether it is voluntary/non-voluntary euthanasia, assisted suicide, and some cases of refusal of treatment. These procedures affect someone who is terminally ill, undergoing a disease, experiencing severe, …show more content…
Palliative care does not encourage euthanasia or assisted suicide. It is strictly to improve the quality of life for those who are either living with or dying from an illness, by offering a support system to patients (Harris, 2003). There is an ethical concern regarding palliative care because some people classify euthanasia and assisted suicide as ‘palliative care’ due to the fact that by performing these two acts, the patient is not suffering from pain anymore. Another medical decision that raises ethical questions is the refusal of medical treatment. This decision can impact the health of an individual. This is also another form of assisted suicide because the patient is informed and competent that the outcome of refusing treatment can be death. The refusal of treatment decision varies between patients who are capable and non-capable. In most cases, there is a consent and capacity board that makes a decision for the capable or incapable patients regarding treatment decisions (What is the consent and capacity board, 2013). This board helps to determine if the decision that the patient made is ethical and moral in the treating of the patient’s disease. If it is, they agree with the patient and abide the patient’s wishes. If the board disagrees, they will then take over and prepare a treatment plan that they feel is better suited for the patient’s …show more content…
A capable adult is one who is informed of his or her medical condition and is voluntary of accepting or refusing treatment. The adult can make a clear, concise, and capable decision, in this case, refusing treatment or wanting to end his or her life. Although the adult is capable and aware of making these decisions, capable and non-capable adults cannot consent to assisted suicide (Hardcastle, 2013). Certain life preserving treatment can be refused, but consenting to one’s own death is illegal (Hardcastle, 2013). For example, Elizabeth MacDonald understood her condition very well and she made it clear that she did not want to live any longer; she was capable and aware of her choice when she travelled to Zurich in order to go forth with the procedure when “ …the clinic provided Ms. MacDonald with a glass of barbiturates and told her that if she drank it, she would die…I understand that…” (Fisher, 2013, p. 265). In this case, Elizabeth was well aware and capable of her decision because she knew the condition of her illness and how it would only deteriorate and be difficult for her and her husband to eventually maintain. Although here in Canada it is illegal and she was overwhelmed that nothing could be done, she travelled and pursued her wishes with her husband by her

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