...Euthanasia: Live and Let Die April 11, 2013 Euthanasia: Live and Let Die In 2004, Pope John Paul II said “A man, even if seriously sick or prevented in the exercise of its higher functions, is and will be always a man… he will never become a ‘vegetable’ or an ‘animal’. The intrinsic value and personal dignity of every human being does not change depending on their circumstances” (Pope John Paul II, 2004). Euthanasia or assisted suicide is the deliberate action of ending a life in order to relieve unstoppable suffering. Euthanasia is legal in Albania, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, as well as some US states. In some of these countries, euthanasia is generally executed by a medical professional taking into account his patient’s needs and desires; but sometimes a medical professional can dispense the last medication ending his patient’s life without the patient’s consent. However, euthanasia and assisted suicide is forbidden in the majority of countries and could be penalized by a fourteen years prison sentence. (“Euthanasia and assisted, intro”). Legalizing euthanasia is extremely controversial moral and legal issue throughout the world, but achieving that goal is extremely necessary. Although legalizing euthanasia could cause negative effects for society, the positive side of this controversy indicates that asking for death is important for those patients who have decided that after a certain point, the pain has exceeded the desire of living. On the one hand...
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...Euthanasia is a word coined from the Greek language, Eu meaning good or noble; Thanatos meaning death, in the seventeenth century by Francis Bacon to refer to an easy, painless, happy death. (Singer) Within euthanasia, there are two types. Active and passive. Active euthanasia occurs when a medical professional or another person deliberately does something to cause the death of a patient. Passive euthanasia occurs when a medical professional either stops doing something that is keeping a patient alive or they don’t do something necessary to keep a patient alive. Like switching off life support or disconnecting a feeding tube. A term that is commonly confused, but is similar to euthanasia, is physician assisted suicide. Although the results and reasoning’s behind each type of death is the same, they differ in the way that the death is administered. In euthanasia, the physician performs the intervention. Usually with a lethal dose of a powerful drug such as morphine or Pentobarbital. During physician assisted suicide, the drug, and means of delivery, are given to the patient by the physician. However, the patient accomplishes the act of injection. Leading to his or her own death (A General History Of Euthanasia) The first time euthanasia was reported on record was around 400BC by Suetonius, a Roman historian, while describing the death of Augustus Caesar. Although the actions of an easy, painless death have been used on hopeless patients since ancient times, these acts have been...
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...Who decides the right to live or the right to die? Are we truly in control of our own destiny? The topic of euthanasia is very controversial because it not only delves deeply into the debate over suicide itself, but also because it involves the question of power. Euthanasia is classified as voluntary, non-voluntary, and involuntary. The formal definition of euthanasia from Dictionary.com is “the act of putting to death painlessly, or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measure, a person or animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful disease or condition” (Euthanasia, 2012). Bill Muehlenberg produces a weekly commentary on issues of the day. In January 2002, he discussed his views on Euthanasia entitled, The Case against Euthanasia. Muehlenberg (2002), “euthanasia is not about making sick and dying people as pain free and comfortable as possible…euthanasia is about allowing other people – doctors, lawyers, even family members – to determine who should live and who should die” (para. 1). Muehlenberg, like many opponents of euthanasia see it as a power issue more than a self-moral issue. Meaning, he believes that making the sick comfortable and pain free falls under the umbrella of palliative care (Muehlenberg, 2002). However, if anyone is going to argue the case against euthanasia, we should argue all aspects of it, not just the areas that make us uncomfortable. In answer to Muehlenberg’s argument that making the sick comfortable and pain free is considered...
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...uphold or strike down the law prohibiting doctor-assisted suicide. Last month, the nine justices of the Supreme Court heard impassioned pleas for overturning Canada’s absolute prohibition against assisted suicide, with proponents arguing laws that consider the act equivalent to murder are a violation of personal autonomy and infringe the Charter of Rights and Freedom that provides for “life, liberty and security of the person” (Connor, 2014). The hearing sparked fresh debates across the country. Opponents argue that legalizing physician-assisted suicide would lead society down a dangerous "Slippery Slope" that leads to involuntary euthanasia and the killing of people who are thought undesirable. In addition, opponents argue that legalizing physician-assisted suicide gives too much power to doctors and it may reduce the availability of palliative care. The aim of this paper is to make a comprehensive argument in favor of physician-assisted suicide. Physician-Assisted suicide & Euthanasia Physician-assisted suicide occurs for any situation where doctors use drugs or other methods to aid their patients in an effort to die sooner. This is usually done in response to some kind of terminal illness that leaves the person with greatly diminished capacity and extreme suffering. There are some non-terminal cases where people may want doctor-assisted suicide if they have a condition that causes a lot of suffering but doesn’t necessarily lead to death. There has been a lot of...
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...Should People Be Able to Decide When to End Their Lives? In a wrestling match, two opponents fight until one holds the other down for ten seconds. If the one being held down has an emergency or wants to give up, they can “tap-out.” However, if they do this, their opponent automatically wins the match. If you were wrestling and could tap-out and win, would you bother putting up a fight? Euthanasia is the ultimate way for someone to give up, and it has become a debatable topic today. I believe whole heartedly that it is wrong and should be illegal. If euthanasia was legalized across the United States, doctors would have too much power, people who are incapable of making or verbalizing decisions would be at risk of being murdered, and it would...
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...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...
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...The Euthanasia society of America was formed in the United States in 1938. During the late 1950’s medical and technological advances made it possible to maintain terminally ill patients alive for a longer period of time than before. Even though were able to sustain terminally ill peoples lives it has been questioned whether their lives were worth sustaining. During 1994 Oregon began its battle to legalize euthanasia. A few years after its approval voters decided to retain the law. In order to receive medication at least two physicians must concur that their patient has less than six months to live. In the United States euthanasia is often referred to as mercy killing. Proponents of euthanasia believe it’s a way to relief terminally ill peoples low life quality. They also say it provides extreme relief. Proponents argue that the right to die is protected by the same constitutional safeguards that guarantee marriage or any other right. Opponents argue that doctors have a moral responsibility to keep patients alive as reflected by the Hippocratic oath. They also say that legalizing euthanasia will target the poor and disabled and create incentives for insurance companies to terminate lives in order to save money. Jack Kevorkian was an American pathologist known for assisting terminally ill patients death through physician-assisted suicide. In 1990 he assisted Janet Adkins in suicide. He was sent to jail, but later released. That did not stop Kevorkian he assisted many others...
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...Physician-assisted suicide also known as PAS, is a controversial topic everywhere; some believe if a patient is terminally ill then it should be permissible while others believe it is against their beliefs and religion to commit any type of suicide. Physician-assisted suicide is when a patient requests the help of digesting a lethal drug to quicken their death (United States Physician Assisted Suicide Law Summary and Law Digest par. 1). The most common patients to request assisted suicide are patients with cancer and AIDs. Active euthanasia is sometimes also considered physician-assisted suicide because it results in death from someone purposely doing something to the patient causing them to die; such as being injected with poison. Passive euthanasia is the withholding of a medical treatment for a patient, which is legal, but many come to be disagreed upon. Withholding food and water, turning off machines, and failing to resuscitate are prime examples of passive euthanasia (United States Physician Assisted Suicide Law Summary and Law Digest par. 1). There are currently three states that permit physician-assisted suicide, Washington and Oregon. On October 27, 1997, the Death with Dignity Act was passed in Oregon. The Death with Dignity Act states that an Oregonian that is terminally-ill has the right to voluntarily, self-administrate lethal medications with a prescription from their physician. On March 5, 2009, Washington passed the Death with Dignity Act and on December 31, 2009 Montana...
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...Running Head: AIMS OF LAW Controversial Laws in US [Name] [School] Author Note This paper was prepared for , Section , taught by Professor Abstract What do we mean by the “Aims of Law”? At one end, the aims of law are oriented by the common good while at the other end they may be restricted by the fact that exercise of authority is involved in the use of law. To the extent that the law can be used to promote common good, we should not use it since there may be certain limits as to how the authority should be exercised even for valuable goals. Sometimes, attempting to achieve valuable goals through the law results in failure due to the way law used which may be self defeating. Authoritative character of law places a burden in human life of choosing for oneself and binds them. This should be avoided to the far extent possible. There may be some aspects of the common good that cannot be realized effectively using authoritative legal rules which implies that law is not a good tool for all purposes. Thus, the aspects of common good supported by authoritative rules are the appropriate aims of law. This object of this paper is to examine five controversial laws in US that restrict or regulate behavior and present a philosophical argument for or against why such laws advance a proper aim of law. Controversial Laws in US Due to their sensitive nature, there are several topics which are highly disputed. Since prudence and emotions never go hand-in-hand, it becomes...
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...Research Euthanasia is the termination of a very sick person's life in order to relieve them of their suffering. A person who undergoes euthanasia usually has an incurable condition. But there are other instances where some people want their life to be ended. In many cases, it is carried out at the person's request but there are times when they may be too ill and the decision is made by relatives, medics or, in some instances, the courts. The term is derived from the Greek word euthanatos which means easy death. Euthanasia is against the law in the UK where it is illegal to help anyone kill themselves. Voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide can lead to imprisonment of up to 14 years. The issue has been at the centre of very heated debates for many years and is surrounded by religious, ethical and practical considerations. Voluntary Euthanasia - When a competent person makes a voluntary and enduring request to be helped to die. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/euthanasia/overview/introduction.shtml •active euthanasia – where a person deliberately intervenes to end someone’s life – for example, by injecting them with a large dose of sedatives •passive euthanasia – where a person causes death by withholding or withdrawing treatment that is necessary to maintain life, such as withholding antibiotics from someone with pneumonia •voluntary euthanasia – where a person makes a conscious decision to die and asks for help to do this •non-voluntary euthanasia – where a person is...
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...The Greek term euthanasia literally means “good death” (MacKinnon, 164). Many people today heavily support euthanasia because they feel each individual has the right to die. Proponents for euthanasia would agree that by electing to be euthanized the individual not only has the right to die but the right to die with dignity, to end pain and suffering, and to lessen the financial and emotional burdens on their loved ones. In short, proponents rationalize that the ill are simply “better off dead”. Opponents of euthanasia feel that in no way are we “better off dead”. This reasoning goes against our human inclination to live. Euthanasia is irreversible suicide, simply wrong and should not be accepted. Williams’ article, “The Wrongfulness of Euthanasia” states that in our daily lives we exercise the caution and care necessary to protect ourselves (MacKinnon, 179). Our bodies and mindset were designed to promote life. His article goes on to state we are structured for survival right down to the molecular level. For instance, most of us make attempts to eat well, exercise, take vitamins, and simply try to live life and be as healthy as we can. For most of us it comes as a major shock when we are stricken with terminal illness. No one wants to think of death or spend our last days suffering from pain. There is no doubt that there are times during an individual’s agony when dealing with pain that they may think, if I were to die I could no longer feel this pain. Many people...
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...which I would live.” Euthanasia is a cure rather than a poison, for it bringing life a peaceful ending. Firstly, euthanasia embodies the respect to life. Some people believe that euthanasia violates the right of living. However, life is not equal to living. “If old age leaves me not life but breath, I will depart from the putrid or tottering edifice,” http://www.51lunwen.com/dxessay/ said Seneca. Life should be a condition of inner serenity and consciousness rather than a process of battling with uncured diseases with unbearable pain. As a result, when the ultimate end is as inevitable as it now appears to be, the individual should have the right to gain a peaceful ending. Secondly, euthanasia rescues not only the dying patients from pain, but also their relatives who are under serious mental and financial pressure. The opponents urge to stop the appliance of euthanasia to procrastinate death, when the dying patients who are suffering from unbearable pain may just feel the endless pain and torment. Francis Bacon used to say, “The duty of a doctor is not only to cure the patients, but also to ease their pain and sorrow.” On the other hand, the relatives of the dying patients are suffering both mental and financial pressure. With the obligation to take care of the patients, the relatives would be in a dilemma. Once euthanasia can be legalized, then the pain of both the patients and their relatives can be eased. Last but not least, euthanasia can save the rare...
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...Euthanasia is Morally Wrong. Name Comp 2 Instructor School The issue is that euthanasia is morally wrong. This is applicable to all human beings as life is held as precious and regardless of the gender, age or race an individual has the rights to self-preservation (Leone, 1999). Despite the fact that individuals have a duty to ensure that hey maintain their personal welfare, they also have a moral obligation towards other human beings where they should avoid the harm towards them. This is regardless of whether one knows them personally, or they are complete strangers. It is an obligation to offer protection in good health or sickness and mostly for those who are not of sound mind in the society. This creates a sense of responsibility and the need to have people care for others other than themselves. Another issue is that on medical grounds, euthanasia is still morally wrong as it is expected that the doctor should provide the patients with the sure and care for their health despite the situation. The family members are also expected to do the same and do what is possible to see that their loved ones in hospitals are given the best medical attention. Human beings learn that the fact that underlies all this is that we bring our loved ones to hospitals so that they are cured and brought back to their normal lives. Despite the time it will take and the resources, the ultimate goal is that they have to be cured, and their health restored as well. Doctors...
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...Euthanasia – dying peacefully and with dignity KEVORKIAN (to Wantz): ''Have you gotten any better?'' WANTZ: ''It's gotten much worse. I wish I could have done it a year ago or two years ago. ... I tried loading a gun, but I didn't know how to load one. If you do it yourself, you don't know what you're doing.'' KEVORKIAN: ''Were you tired or apprehensive when you tried it yourself?'' WANTZ: ''No. People say, 'Hang in there. ... ' (But) when you're in my shoes, then you tell me what to do. Until you are, don't tell me what to do.'' (Castaneda) The foregoing conversation took place and was recorded on October 22, 1991, between Doctor Jack Kevorkian, 63, (later nicknamed as “Dr. Death” due to his notorious physician-assisted suicide practice) and Marjorie Wantz, 58, who had sought his help in ending her life and continuous pain from the incurable disease she had. Wantz fulfilled her wish on the next day when she died while being linked to one of Kevorkian’s ''suicide machines''. This incident once again raised a heated debate whether euthanasia should be legalized, and whether doctors assisting in patient’s voluntary death should be freed of charges. In 1995 Special Senate Committee on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide defined euthanasia as “the deliberate act undertaken by one person with the intention of ending the life of another person in order to relieve that person’s suffering” (Law and Government Division). Despite the undeniable advantages of modern medicine in terms...
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...Being terrified of becoming a financial burden on significant others is one reason why people want their lives to end by euthanasia .Insufficient funding for palliative care is equated to people who reach old-age feeling of frustrated about physical limitations and try to survive on the debilitating state that could be resolve with proper care. In comparison, it cost 35 thousands dollars to treat a long term disease condition and just 35 dollars will be spent for drugs in a euthanasia. Pro-life organisations argues that the demand for euthanasia could be eliminated totally with the chronic disease wellness programs . Huge budget blow-outs in health spending means that health-care institutions will be obliged to make budget...
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