Euthanasia: Dying with Dignity

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Euthanasia: Dying with Dignity Someday, a loved one may be faced with tough times or a terrible tragedy that leaves them in pain and agony for the rest of their life. It may not happen today, tomorrow, or even next month, but it is always a good idea to have a well thought out plan. A terminal illness could strike at any minute such as Lou Gehrig’s disease, or a car accident could leave someone paralyzed and miserable for the rest of their life. Permitting euthanasia would give the people the right to die with dignity and give them the option to not have to go through the pain, suffering, and stressful effects of a terminal illness. The Hippocratic Oath has been a major road block in legalizing the euthanasia process. Even though the modern versions of the Hippocratic Oath are not the same as older versions of the oath, many doctors believe that euthanasia, along with other things related to euthanasia are against the oath. According to a 1993 survey of 150 United States and Canadian medical schools, for example, only fourteen percent of modern oaths prohibit euthanasia, eleven percent hold covenant with a deity, eight percent foreswear abortion, and a mere three percent forbid sexual contact with patients—all maxims held sacred in the classical version. (Tyson, 2014) That is proof that the Hippocratic Oath should not be preventing euthanasia from becoming legalized into the United States. However, Doctor Jack Kevorkian decided that performing a type of euthanasia process called assisted suicide does not go against the Hippocratic Oath, or any other related oath and that many more doctors should be able to follow in his footsteps. Euthanasia has been a constant argument of society. Not much is known about it except that it is... ... middle of paper ... ... (2013, December 11). Euthanasia Statistics. Retrieved on February 20, 2014 from http://www.statisticbrain.com/euthanasia-statistics/ Appleby, J. (2006, October 19). Debate Surrounds End-of-Life Health Care Costs. USA Today Retrieved on April 6, 2014 from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2006-10-18-end-of-life- costs_x.htm Bolden, T. (2014). Email Interview by Gerrard S. January, 2014 Callahan, S. (1995). Legalizing Assisted Suicide Would Harm Women. (p. 4). San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc. Dougherty, C. (1995). Euthanasia: Opposing Viewpoints. (p. 65). San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc. Earnest-Buxton, L. (2014). Email Interview by Gerrard. S. January 2014 Tyson, P. (2014). The Hippocratic Oath Today. Retrieved on February 22, 2014 from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/hippocratic-oath-today.html

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