187 Emotional and Psychological Effects of Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia on Participating Physicians Kenneth R. Stevens, Jr., M.D., FACR* Abstract: This is a review and evaluation of medical and public literature regarding the reported emotional and psychological effects of participation in physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and euthanasia on the involved physicians. Materials and Methods: Articles in medical journals, legislative investigations and the public press were obtained
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be allowed legally to help end someone’s suffering — the answer should be, “No.” Euthanasia — the proper term for mercy killing — is the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering. This assumes that a patient is aware that they are going to die, and in some cases, they must administer the poison themselves. This is also called assisted suicide. Arguments supporting euthanasia usually present the fact that the patient would have no cure, no way of contributing
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Unitarian, Methodist, Presbyterian and Quaker movements are amongst the most liberal, allowing at least individual decision making in cases of active euthanasia The BBC wrote in an Aug. 3, 2009 online article titled "Religion & Ethics - Christianity: Euthanasia - the Christian View" on www.bbc.co.uk: "Christians are mostly against euthanasia. The arguments are usually based on the beliefs that life is given by God, and that human beings are made in God's image. Some churches also emphasise the importance
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Euthanasia: Is It Our Right To Choose When We Die? Grossman, Dave. On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society. Boston: Little, Brown, 1995. Print. Dave Grossman takes a close look at the fundamental process of taking another humans life and the affects it takes on the persons psyche. His experience as a former Army Ranger, West Point psychology professor, and currently the director of the Killology Research Group. This experience is shown in the writing as he notes
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“Duty over a Right: Euthanasia Weighed” “Duty over a Right: Euthanasia Weighed” Euthanasia is a highly emotive and contentious subject, giving rise to a great deal of conflicts. However, despite its frequent exposure in public and professional media, there appears to be a lack of clarity about the concepts and definitions used in the euthanasia controversy. This suggests that discussions on this subject are inadequately informed and ineffectual. The ethical focus of the euthanasia issue concerns the
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Roger Kidder Euthanasia Work Document 1. What is active euthanasia? * The process of causing a person’s painless death usually as a consequence of suffering from an incurable disease or terminal illness. * Administration of potentially life-ending drugs or lethal doses for the purpose of causing death. * Requires active participation by health care providers. 2. What is the difference between killing and allowing to die? * Killing is an act of commission, the performing
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obligation of medical professionals to legalize the practice of physician-assisted suicide. In ancient times, physician assisted suicide was frequently seen as a way to protect one’s honor. In most recent years, on the other hand, the act of voluntary euthanasia has been viewed as a response to the progress of modern medicine. New and often expensive medical technologies have been created that prolong life. However, the technologies also prolong the process of dying, leading some people to question whether
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for them to complete the daily human activities. That is why ‘Dying with Dignity’ encourages the families and friends of these terminally ill patients to help support them with their decision on physician-assisted suicide, or also known as euthanasia. Euthanasia is almost similar to suicide, but instead of the patient taking their own life, their doctor, family or friends help with the process. As mentioned before, physician-assisted suicide is when a physician knowingly and intentionally provide
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The ethical dilemma of euthanasia Euthanasia is a sensitive and controversial topic that is enveloped in endless ethical debate and ambiguity. There are several forms of euthanasia, each having arguments for and against. Active euthanasia is when death is brought about by an act – carried out by a person to cause the patient to die, for example giving the patient an overdose of medication. Passive euthanasia is when death is brought about by an omission – withdrawing life extending treatment
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Euthanasia Some people will argue that the right to live includes the right to die, while other argues that death is the opposite of life. This last point is based on a belief that the process of dying is part of life, and death is therefore not seen as a right. This essay is written based on the points put forth in the article “India rejects euthanasia plea over nurse brain damaged in 1973 sex assault” from the newspaper Guardian. This article discusses a topic, which is most commonly considered
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