Assisted Suicide Ethics
opinion Essay
1759 words
Elliot Hunter Ethics 0641 Mr. Holder 4/18/2014 Physician Assisted Suicide In recent years the media has shifted more focus on the hot topic of physician assisted suicide. This expanded coverage has caused an ever widening gap on both sides of the debate because of the ethical concerns that come along with this act. Due in part to the advancements in modern medicine, assisted suicide should be viewed as a morally correct decision for individuals to make for themselves when there is no overcoming a life impairing mental or physical ailment. This form of medicine should only be used when the individuals have exhausted all possible procedures and options and the have a bleak chance on being healthy once again. The results of assisted suicide can be viewed as morally correct in regards to consequentialism, social contract theory, as well as deontological ethics. The act of assisted suicide can be viewed as selfless if one does not ultimately want to be a physical or monetary burden on other individuals. A patient can also help to save others in regards of organ donations. We as a country need to learn to observe the choices of the terminally ill patients and understand when they want to concede in their battle. If a person chooses to end their life, it should not be viewed as a sign of weakness, but rather as a statement that this individual does not want to suffer anymore. Take for instance the case of Matthew Donnelly. Mr. Donnelly’s body was riddled with skin cancer from years of working with X-rays. Mr. Donnelly had been in a declining state of health for years and he wanted to be alleviated of this pain. He had lost his nose, his left hand, two fingers on his right hand and part of his jaw. Since his state had no rules for assist... ... middle of paper ... ...feeble. Ultimately, it should be the patient’s decision on when they should be able to give up on the fight of their life. There should be an easy and painless experience such as physician assisted suicide when one feels the need to not experience suffer anymore. In the views of consequentialism the only thing that matters is if the patient finds peace and is no longer in pain. As well with social contract theory, if we are to make physician assisted suicide legal there needs to be a strict set of guidelines and rules set up so patients can be at peace without others manipulating the system. And finally, it is our duty as humans to make sure that all our actions are to be legal and ethical in regards to assisted suicide. Physician assisted suicide will still be a hot topic for years to come and the ever growing debate will help to push it further into the headlines.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that assisted suicide should be viewed as a morally correct decision for individuals to make for themselves when there is no overcoming an impairing mental or physical illness.
- Opines that if we are to make physician assisted suicide legal, there needs to be a strict set of guidelines and rules so others can be at peace.
- Explains that ethics takes its name from the greek word for duty. it is a duty for us humans to make sure all our actions are to be legal and ethical.
- Opines that assisted suicide should be viewed as a morally correct decision for individuals to make for themselves when there is no overcoming an impairing mental or physical illness.
- Opines that if we are to make physician assisted suicide legal, there needs to be a strict set of guidelines and rules so others can be at peace.
- Explains that ethics takes its name from the greek word for duty. it is a duty for us humans to make sure all our actions are to be legal and ethical.
- Opines that the terri schiavo case was the most famous case in which an individual was denied the right to have a physician assist in death.
- Explains that cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can lead to a slow and agonizing death. doctors have enough knowledge and resources at their disposal to know when patients have bleak outlooks.
- Opines that the lack of media coverage on the refusal of treatment pales in comparison to the uproar about legalization of assisted suicide.
- Argues that society has a moral duty to protect and preserve all forms of life. allowing others, whether they are doctors or not, to assist in destroying these delicate lives has been portrayed as violating human life's fundamental duty.
- Opines that it would be wise to put the needs of the living ahead of those of dying, as in the case of physician assisted suicide.
- Explains consequentialism, an ethical theory that states actions morality is based on the outcomes or consequences of the action.
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- Assisted Suicidesopinion essayPersonally, I do not believe in assisted suicide. I believe that it’s immoral but in some cases, assisted suicide may be an alternative to eternal suffering.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that assisted suicide is an alternative to eternal suffering and that it is only legal in oregon and the netherlands.
- Opines that assisted suicide is a violation of all religious beliefs and devalues life. if it becomes legal in more states, there will be pressure on the elderly and disabled to end their lives.
- Opines that assisted suicide is wrong, but there are exceptions to any rule. some patients are in so much pain that they are better off to die than to continue living and suffering.
- Opines that assisted suicide is an alternative to eternal suffering and that it is only legal in oregon and the netherlands.
- Opines that assisted suicide is a violation of all religious beliefs and devalues life. if it becomes legal in more states, there will be pressure on the elderly and disabled to end their lives.
- Opines that assisted suicide is wrong, but there are exceptions to any rule. some patients are in so much pain that they are better off to die than to continue living and suffering.
336 wordsRead More - Assisted Suicide: Do You Have The Right to Die?explanatory essayDr. Jack Kevorkian was an activist in the 1990s who believed that “dying is not a crime”. With his belief of having the right to die, he assisted more than 120 individuals with their suicides. For assisting with his patients' deaths, Dr. Kevorkian was charged with second degree murder and ultimately lost his medical license. With the mentioned case listed as an example, many physicians and others in the medical profession refuse to medically assist in a patient's suicide for fear of losing their license or being incarcerated. However, it may be beneficial to allow a person the right to die if they so choose.
In this essay, the author
- Describes dr. jack kevorkian as an activist in the 1990s who believed that "dying is not a crime" and assisted more than 120 individuals with their suicides. he was charged with second degree murder and lost his medical license.
- Explains that assisted suicide is a viable choice for terminally ill patients to die with dignity.
- Explains that dying with dignity may be a wish for parents with children who are terminally ill. since cancer is incurable, some parents may wish to speed their child's death.
- Describes dr. jack kevorkian as an activist in the 1990s who believed that "dying is not a crime" and assisted more than 120 individuals with their suicides. he was charged with second degree murder and lost his medical license.
- Explains that assisted suicide is a viable choice for terminally ill patients to die with dignity.
- Explains that dying with dignity may be a wish for parents with children who are terminally ill. since cancer is incurable, some parents may wish to speed their child's death.
- Explains that there are strict rules in place as to who qualifies for euthanasia in washington and oregon.
- Opines that people who have illnesses should have the right to die with dignity. the same should apply for parents with fatally ill children if they wish for their child to no longer suffer
660 wordsRead More - The Pros And Cons Of Physician Assisted Suicideexplanatory essayThere are many convincing and compelling arguments for and against Physician Assisted Suicide. There are numerous different aspects of this issue including religious, legal and ethical issues. However, for the purpose of this paper, I will examine the ethical concerns on both sides. There are strong pro and con arguments regarding this and I will make a case for both. It is definitely an issue that has been debated for years and will continue to be debated in years to come.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that there are strong pro and con arguments for and against physician assisted suicide.
- Explains that physician assisted suicide or "active" euthanasia is an important issue in this country and around the world because many people suffer from debilitating, incurable and intensely painful diseases.
- Explains that euthanasia is greek and means "good death". there are different kinds of euthanasy, passive and active, and physician assisted suicide.
- Opines that there are strong pro and con arguments for and against physician assisted suicide.
- Explains that physician assisted suicide or "active" euthanasia is an important issue in this country and around the world because many people suffer from debilitating, incurable and intensely painful diseases.
- Explains that euthanasia is greek and means "good death". there are different kinds of euthanasy, passive and active, and physician assisted suicide.
- Opines that if pas were made legal, terminally ill patients would have the choice whether to let their disease take its course or to end their life prematurely.
- Explains that both sides of the issue have compelling arguments on why or why not pas should be legalized.
- Explains that some feel that pas should remain illegal due to the supreme court's decision that the right to die was not protected under the constitution.
- Explains that in order to analyze both sides of the issue, they need to put themselves in the shoes of a terminally ill patient.
- Explains consequentialism is an ethical theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of act on the basis of its consequences and, rather than on what principle the act falls under.
- Opines that legalization of pas would be the best solution in the long run. there would not be patient’s suffering and desperate to end their life.
1112 wordsRead More - Physician Assisted Suicideexplanatory essayJustice, to most, is a type of fairness or equality that every individual is entitled to. In essence, an individual’s social status, income, or health status does not influence a patient’s care, but rather all individuals are treated fairly. Because every doctor accepts this virtue upon entering the field, physician assisted suicide is a topic that must be considered carefully. For example, patients who are ill have rights that include refusing treatment that may or may not lengthen the time they have left to live. When confronted with a diagnosis, patients are given various options to pursue, a decision independent of Physician’s wishes. Patients in these situations exercise their right make their own medication decisions. However, when the topic of physician assisted suicide is relevant, individuals suddenly view the option as cruel, or inhumane. It is important to understand that in order to consider this option, two physicians must agree that there is no other medical interventions that can help the individual. Likewise, if a patient insists on ending their life with the method of physician assisted suicide, they are ultimately choosing death only a short time before it would naturally
In this essay, the author
- Explains that terminally ill patients suffer from nausea, shortness of breath, and the inability to swallow, while their families are witnessing them struggle. physician assisted suicide is controversial and only legal in five states.
- States that physician assisted suicide is legal in california, colorado, oregon, vermont, and washington. each state has its own set of rules and regulations to follow, but all have one rule in common: the physician has the option to participate.
- Opines that physician assisted suicide is a difficult decision for both patient and physician, but finding the right physician can be difficult.
- Explains that terminally ill patients suffer from nausea, shortness of breath, and the inability to swallow, while their families are witnessing them struggle. physician assisted suicide is controversial and only legal in five states.
- States that physician assisted suicide is legal in california, colorado, oregon, vermont, and washington. each state has its own set of rules and regulations to follow, but all have one rule in common: the physician has the option to participate.
- Opines that physician assisted suicide is a difficult decision for both patient and physician, but finding the right physician can be difficult.
- Explains the ethical dilemma of mercy that physicians must encounter with their beliefs of physician assisted suicide, and recognizes that justice plays a major role in the decision.
- Opines that physicians have a duty to provide justice for every patient that seeks their care and to be treated fairly.
- Explains that physician assisted suicide is legal in five states and washington, d.c.
1056 wordsRead More - Physician Assisted Suicide: An Ethical Dilemmanarrative essayBraddok III Clarence H. MD MPH .” Physician aid-in-dying: Ethical topics in medicine” n.d University of Washington school of medicinestate death with dignity act” N.p n.d University of Washington department of bioethics and humanities 2009 web 24 March 2012
In this essay, the author
- Describes worldrtd.net's "usa: with montana now the thee states providing legal aid-in –dying."
- States that montana becomes the third u.s. state to allow physician aind in dying.
- Describes how dr. jack kevorkian helped terminally ill patients end life through his machines. the machine was named thanatron, a greek word meaning death machine.
- Describes worldrtd.net's "usa: with montana now the thee states providing legal aid-in –dying."
- States that montana becomes the third u.s. state to allow physician aind in dying.
- Describes how dr. jack kevorkian helped terminally ill patients end life through his machines. the machine was named thanatron, a greek word meaning death machine.
- States velasquez, manuel, andre, claire and braddok iii, clarence h. md mph.
1581 wordsRead More - Physician Assisted Suicide Research Paperanalytical essayPhysician-assisted suicide (PAS) is when a physician facilitates a patient’s death by providing the necessary means and/or information to enable the patient to perform the life-ending act, such as providing a lethal dose of medication and the information about the lethal dose (Opinion 2.211...). PAS is a very emotional and controversial topic in today’s world, as suicide attempts of those with terminal illnesses are increasing. Many have expressed different opinions when it comes to terminally ill patients and the ethical concerns tied to PAS. Terminally ill patients exhibit normal character and are of sound mind when making such a life threatening decision (Weir, 1997). Many countries and states have not been able to reach a decision
In this essay, the author
- Explains that a terminally ill patient can change their mind even after prescribing the medication.
- Opines that the personal quality of one's life is a major consideration when determining whether pas should be allowed.
- Explains that the ninth circuit looked to the united states supreme court in the 1990 cases of cruzan v. director, missouri dept. of health, where the court held that a person had the right to refuse any life prolonging medication
- Explains that a terminally ill patient can change their mind even after prescribing the medication.
- Opines that the personal quality of one's life is a major consideration when determining whether pas should be allowed.
- Explains that the ninth circuit looked to the united states supreme court in the 1990 cases of cruzan v. director, missouri dept. of health, where the court held that a person had the right to refuse any life prolonging medication
- Explains that physician-assisted suicide is a very emotional and controversial topic in today's world, as suicide attempts of those with terminal illnesses are increasing.
- Analyzes how jack kevorkian assisted in the death of janet adkins, a 45-year-old alzheimer's patient from michigan.
- Argues that terminal illnesses reduce able individuals from strong, determined people to frail and suffering people who depend on others for food, personal hygiene, and other dehumanizing aspects of life. proponents of pas claim that everyone has a moral right to choose freely what they will do with their lives.
- Explains that terminally ill patients are susceptible to depression and other emotional problems. legalization of pas is supported to allow for a more respected death.
1451 wordsRead More - The Legalization of Assisted Suicideanalytical essayOregon, the Netherlands, and Belgium are the only three jurisdictions in the world that permit assisted suicide and/or euthanasia. Oregon became the leader of the United States in assisted suicide, when the Oregon legislation passed the Death with Dignity Act in 1994, permitting “physicians to write prescriptions for a lethal dosage of medication to people with a terminal illness” (Department of Human Services). Oregon’s act specifies who is permitted to assist a terminally ill patient in their time of choosing between life and death. But in the event that the United States as a country legalized assisted suicide, who would determine which patients qualified as terminally ill, and who would be permitted to “assist” these “terminally ill” patients? With questions still arising as to how and who on a topic such as assisted suicide, one can only prohibit the action until all aspects have been considered, eliminating confusion.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that oregon, the netherlands, and belgium are the only three jurisdictions in the world that permit assisted suicide and/or euthanasia.
- Explains that assisted suicide is considered as someone providing another person with information, guidance, and/or means to take his/her own life. carrie carmichael's friend had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
- Analyzes how the hippocratic oath prevents physicians from assisting patients with their suicide.
- Explains that oregon, the netherlands, and belgium are the only three jurisdictions in the world that permit assisted suicide and/or euthanasia.
- Explains that assisted suicide is considered as someone providing another person with information, guidance, and/or means to take his/her own life. carrie carmichael's friend had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
- Analyzes how the hippocratic oath prevents physicians from assisting patients with their suicide.
- Explains that the question of who qualifies as terminally ill should be addressed when considering legalizing assisted suicide. physicians make mistakes, show uncertainty in diagnosis and/or prognosis, and may also provide mistreatment.
- Analyzes how patients see death as an escape route, or easy way out, but it comes with a price to others when the suicide becomes assisted.
- Explains the oregon division of public health's "faqs about physician-assisted suicide." oregon department of human services.
1436 wordsRead More - The Right to Assisted Suicideanalytical essayYou’re visiting the hospice for the twenty-third day in a row; the soft squeaking of the linoleum and the gentle buzz of the fluorescents in the waiting room greet you as you walk in. You’re visiting your Grandmother, whose lung cancer has entered metastasis, and has been slowly spreading throughout her body; she has already lost movement in her arms. She is a hollow shell of the woman she once was; her once bright eyes have been fading steadily every day, and her bubbly demeanor has become crushed and gravelly, and every day before you leave, she will only say, “Kill me.” What would you do in this situation? Would you break the law in order to respect your elder’s wishes? It is a cruel reality we live in when ability to choose the time of our demise, especially for terminal patients, is not seen as a personal right to be acted upon, but to be shunned as a taboo. This is why assisted-suicide, the contraction of a third-party to provide the materials necessary to commit suicide, should be legalized; it would allow both terminal and permanently disabled patients an escape from the mental, emotional, & physical pain of useless treatments, and impaired quality of life, in their final months.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that assisted suicide should be legalized to allow terminal and permanently disabled patients an escape from the mental, emotional, and physical pain of useless treatments.
- Argues that mental anguish felt by patients is a great burden for them to bear, and the more disfigured or closer to death these patients are, the heavier it becomes.
- Argues that montana's death with dignity act, as stated by bioethicist jacob appel, is a hollow victory as no physicians are willing to give consented assistance.
- Opines that assisted suicide should be legalized to allow terminal and permanently disabled patients an escape from the mental, emotional, and physical pain of useless treatments.
- Argues that mental anguish felt by patients is a great burden for them to bear, and the more disfigured or closer to death these patients are, the heavier it becomes.
- Argues that montana's death with dignity act, as stated by bioethicist jacob appel, is a hollow victory as no physicians are willing to give consented assistance.
- Opines that assisted-suicide has its share of problems, such as the lack of palliative care and the public fear that it will lead to legalized euthanasia.
- Opines that legalizing assisted-suicide will give terminal patients the strength necessary to reach the summit, break their fetters, and free themselves of their personal tartarus.
- Analyzes how asch describes the common cases for both the right to die and the disability rights movement, and discusses disability theorist's views that people with impairments are still able to achieve satisfaction in their life.
- Analyzes how enouen questions the validity of the statistics for assisted suicide, stating that the physician is not required to be present at the administration of drugs.
- Analyzes how simon jenkins opens his article with the case of daniel james, a crippled rugby player who sought assisted suicide from the dignitas clinic in switzerland.
- Analyzes how kenneth stevens starts his article with a description of the oregon landscape, followed by mentioning the death with dignity act. he discusses the number of deaths from assisted suicide from 1998-2006, and the fear of dependency that causes patients to choose suicide.
- Analyzes how appel begins his article with the cases of baxter v. montana and janet murdock, who legalized assisted suicide, and discusses conscience clauses, the legal ability to opt out of morally questionable procedures.
- Analyzes how allen hall tells the story of soraya wernli, a former employee for dignitas, an assisted-suicide organization in switzerland.
927 wordsRead More - Assisted Suicideanalytical essaySay, for instance, a high school boy the age of fifteen has an alcoholic father who abuses the boy’s mother. He might be bullied at school, and due to all the issues at home, is nasty to all his friends and loses them. His world is a dark cloud and depression starts to loom over him as well. It seems to him that there is no hope left in the world, and death is the only way out. The ultimate decision he wants to make right now is to die, but deep down he doesn’t really want his life to end - not if people cared, not if there was a point in time where he could be happy again. In reality, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and there is hope for him. Suicide is not illegal, but there is a possibility that assisted suicide (for his depression) could be legal. Imagine if he never reached the light and was allowed to die in the middle of the tunnel, never seeing a better life. Many patients just need consulting that they are still appreciated and wanted by the people in their lives, but doctors will sometimes put them to rest without letting them know they are still wanted and cared for. A letter from Jeanette Hall from King City, Oregon stated, “In 2000, I was diagnosed with cancer and told that I had six months to a year to live. I knew that our law had passed, but I didn’t know exactly how to go about doing it. I did not want to suffer, and I did not want to do radiation. I wanted Stevens to help me, but he didn’t really answer me.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that assisted suicide should not be legalized because doctors may put patients to rest without reassuring them that people still care about them.
- Explains that suicide is not illegal, but assisted suicide (for his depression) could be legal. many patients need consulting that they are still appreciated and wanted by the people in their lives.
- Narrates how stevens encouraged them to fight cancer, but he didn't answer them. jeanette is an example of a person with an illness that makes life seem hopeless.
- Opines that assisted suicide should not be legalized because doctors may put patients to rest without reassuring them that people still care about them.
- Explains that suicide is not illegal, but assisted suicide (for his depression) could be legal. many patients need consulting that they are still appreciated and wanted by the people in their lives.
- Narrates how stevens encouraged them to fight cancer, but he didn't answer them. jeanette is an example of a person with an illness that makes life seem hopeless.
- Explains peer pressure is a common term used when people are pressured into doing something by their peers.
- Argues that assisted suicide should not be legal because there is hope for patients, and modern technology is a big alternative instead of ending the patient’s lives.
1085 wordsRead More - Assisted Suicide Bioethicsanalytical essayMy topic for the bioethics essay is assisted suicide. Assisted suicide is suicide committed with the aid of another person, sometimes even a physician. Assisted suicide is usually performed when a physician gives a patient the knowledge and skills to commit suicide. In most cases the physicians would provide lethal doses of drugs, and supplying the needed amount of those lethal drugs. The history of assisted suicide dates back all the way back to before the birth of Jesus Christ when people had a disagreement on whether people or doctors should be able to aid in the death of another human being. One of the most famous examples of assisted suicide is Jack “Doctor Death” Kevorkian with his own homemade assisted suicide machine.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that assisted suicide is suicide committed with the aid of another person, sometimes even a physician. it dates back to before the birth of jesus christ.
- Argues that assisted suicide can work sensibly and fairly in oregon. dignitas believes in greater choice, control and access to medical and palliative services at the end-of-life.
- Explains the four main types of arguments against assisted suicide: religious, slippery slope, medical ethics, and alternative arguments.
- Explains that assisted suicide is suicide committed with the aid of another person, sometimes even a physician. it dates back to before the birth of jesus christ.
- Argues that assisted suicide can work sensibly and fairly in oregon. dignitas believes in greater choice, control and access to medical and palliative services at the end-of-life.
- Explains the four main types of arguments against assisted suicide: religious, slippery slope, medical ethics, and alternative arguments.
- Opines that assisted suicide is wrong because everyone has a certain purpose while they are living on this earth. only god should have the power to take people off of this earth.
505 wordsRead More - Assisted Suicide Should Not be Legalizedanalytical essayThroughout the course of history, death and suffering have been a prominent topic of discussion among people everywhere. Scientists are constantly looking for ways to alleviate and/or cure the pain that comes with the process of dying. Treatments typically focus on pain management and quality of life, and include medication and various types of therapy. When traditional treatments are not able to eliminate pain and suffering or the promise of healing, patients will often consider euthanasia or assisted suicide. Assisted suicide occurs when a person is terminally ill and believes that their life is not worth living anymore. As a result of these thoughts and feelings, a physician or other person is enlisted to “assist” the patient in committing suicide. Typically this is done by administering a lethal overdose of a narcotic, antidepressant or sedative, or by combining drugs to create an adverse reaction and hasten the death of the sick patient. Though many people believe that assisted suicide is a quick and honorable way to end the sufferings of a person with a severe illness, it is, in fact, morally wrong. Assisted suicide is unethical because it takes away the value of a human life, it is murder, and it opens the door for coercion of the elderly and terminally ill to seek an untimely and premature death. Despite the common people’s beliefs, assisted suicide is wrong and shouldn’t be legalized.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that assisted suicide is unethical because it takes away the value of a human life and is murder.
- Argues that assisted suicide should not be considered for legalization because it reduces the value of a human life.
- Opines that the legalization of assisted suicide makes important people feel unimportant when in fact, any individual human life is intrinsically good, holy, created by god, and of immeasurable value.
- Argues that assisted suicide is unethical because it takes away the value of a human life and is murder.
- Argues that assisted suicide should not be considered for legalization because it reduces the value of a human life.
- Opines that the legalization of assisted suicide makes important people feel unimportant when in fact, any individual human life is intrinsically good, holy, created by god, and of immeasurable value.
- Argues that assisted suicide should not be legalized because it is murder. whether or not the person wanted to die has nothing to do it.
- Argues that assisted suicide offers an attractive "solution" for avoiding the burdens and loneliness of old age.
- Argues that assisted suicide creates a culture that places undue pressure on the elderly and terminally ill to seek an untimely and premature death.
- Opines that assisted suicide should not be legalized because it reduces the value of a human life, is murder, and patients feel pressured to commit it.
- Explains bernardi, peter j., "physician-assisted suicide is unethical." euthanasia- opposing viewpoints.
- Explains dougherty, charles j., and carol wesseker's euthanasia- opposing viewpoints.
- Explains focus on the family issue analysts' article on euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.
- Explains larson, edward j., "legalizing euthanasia would encourage suicide."
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