Essay On Assisted Suicide
analytical Essay
2917 words
LEGALIZATION OF ASSISTED SUICIDE IN THE U.S. Currently, physician-assisted suicide or death is illegal in all states except Oregon, Vermont, Montana and Washington. Present law in other states express that suicide is not a crime, but assisting in suicide is. Supporters of legislation legalizing assisted suicide claim that the moral right to life should encompass the right to voluntary death. Opponents of assisted suicide claim that society has a moral and civic duty to preserve the lives of innocent persons. There is a slippery slope involving the legalizing assisted suicide. Concern that assisted suicide allowed on the basis of mercy or compassion, can and will lead to the urging of the death for morally unjustifiable reasons is understandable. However, legalization can serve to prevent the already existent practice of underground physician-assisted suicide if strict laws to ensure that the interests of the patients are primary are installed and enforced. When a patient asks for assistance in dying, their wishes should be respected as long as the patient is free from coercion and competent enough to give informed consent. The intent of this work is to examine the legalization of assisted suicide in Oregon and the Netherlands and to argue that assisted suicide is morally and ethically acceptable in theory despite some unintended consequences of its implementation. The Oregon Death With Dignity Act allows Oregon residents the access to physician-assisted death with restrictions. An eligible patient must be at least 18 years of age, diagnosed with a terminal illness resulting death within 6 months, and be in the right psychological state to make informed, rational decisions. The Death With Dignity Act implemented a protocol physici... ... middle of paper ... ...tonomy. The law can require the medical opinions of several physicians and psychiatrists to formulate the most rational decision. In addition, waiting periods and consent from an individual close to the patient can be proscribed to prevent the patient from making decisions he or she will regret. All states that implement the legalization of assisted suicide must also limit the procedure to terminal illness only. Safeguards are vital, but every state must also devote resources toward oversight of the procedure. The role of the state government is to legalize, but not the program like in the Netherlands; the state should seek to improve the field of palliative care by promoting counseling and hospices. The purpose of legalizing physician-assisted death is not necessarily to promote the process as the optimal choice. Legalization will provide patients with an option
In this essay, the author
- Examines the legalization of physician-assisted suicide in oregon and the netherlands and argues that assisted suicide is morally and ethically acceptable in theory despite some unintended consequences.
- States that the oregon death with dignity act allows oregon residents the access to physician-assisted death with restrictions. the patient must be at least 18 years of age, diagnosed with a terminal illness, and be in the right psychological state to make informed, rational decisions.
- Opines that the oregon division of health must expand their infrastructure to accommodate the death with dignity act.
- Explains that the death with dignity act is a catalyst into improving end-of-life care in general among oregon medical practitioners.
- Compares the situation of assisted suicide in the netherlands with oregon's, stating that terminal illness is not a requirement.
- Argues that the dutch government's failure to enforce its own law causes the exploitation of patients by private organizations.
- Explains that four themes consistently appear in arguments against legalization: the belief in the sanctity of life dictates that death can only happen naturally; the third theme is concerned with the powers allocated to patients and physicians.
- Argues that the slippery slope theory portrays only a possible picture; it does not necessarily portray the likely picture.
- Explains that those against the legalization of assisted suicide fear that it would lead to a greater risk for potential mistakes and physician abuses of power.
- Analyzes how the new england journal of medicine studied the effects of legalization in oregon between 1997 and 1999 and found that the abuse claims made by opponents are not supported.
- Analyzes how the study disproves the sentiment that physicians abuse power by presenting assisted death as a primary option.
- Argues that the legalization of physician-assisted suicide is unnecessary if proper palliative care is available. opponents of assisted death fail to consider that eradication of physical pain does not necessarily eliminate suffering.
- Argues that physician-assisted suicide is an appropriate policy that allows for patient autonomy. propaganda portraying physicians as corrupt is misleading and simply erroneous.
- Argues that it is paternalistic to prevent legalization out of fear that individuals cannot make rational decisions. the oregon death with dignity act is reasonably successful in protecting both human life and autonomy.
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- Assisted Suicide Vs Euthanasia Essayopinion essayAssisted suicide has been one of the most controversial topics encoded in society to this day. Everyone has their own side of the story to tell their opinion. This is a socially debated topic that, when it boils down to the point, it is all just someone making a decision, whether the choice is to end one’s life and agony, or to preserve their pain. This should be a choice that the victims decide for themselves. However, in the land of the free, only one state has voted to legalizing assisted suicide. I stand by the right to choose assisted suicide. Assisted suicide and Euthanasia should be the choice of the people falling victim to such actions. This paper will be showing supporting reasons why assisted suicide should be the choice of the one that lays victim to it.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that assisted suicide and euthanasia should be the choice of the people falling victim to such actions.
- Explains that physician assisted suicide is when a doctor provides information or the means of assisting in the patient's suicide.
- Explains that involuntary euthanasia is used to explain the killing of someone who has not directly asked for help in commiting suicide. it occurs most often with patients in a deep coma of vegetative state.
- Explains that to have assisted suicide/euthanasia legalized, certain guidelines would need to be set in stone beforehand.
- Argues that physician assisted may be a possible choice for someone suffering from an incurable disease. however, there are cases where doctors can only do so much, such as assisted suicide or euthanasia.
- Argues that assisted suicide may be seen as unethical. lobbyists debate the fact that doctor's say an oath to preserve life, but leave out the part where they have a duty to act in the best interest of their patient.
- Argues that medical assisted suicide is a humane and reasonable approach to relentless pain and suffering. legalization would promote open discussion.
- Explains that there are also those who oppose physician assisted suicide. sacredness of life is an argument that points out strong religious and nonspiritual traditions against taking human life.
- Opines that if one is in pain without a cure for their ailments, they can't end their lives being assisted by doctors who can put them out of their misery.
- Opines that americans should have the right to end their lives if they are in an incurable uncomfortable situation. they are a compassionate person who believes that life is great and worth living in any circumstance.
- Opines that having a loved one pass away is hard enough to deal with, but to see them in pain while they are slowly dying is even worse.
- Opines that they care about living more than anything in the world so it is difficult for them to say just give up and die, but they never want to see a person in constant pain that is only temporarily cured by modern medicine.
- Opines that assisted suicide and euthanasia is a choice that should be up to the patient, who has the right to decide whether they live or die.
1229 wordsRead More - Assisted Suicide Euthanasia Essayexplanatory essaySwitzerland Switzerland has an unusual position on assisted suicide as it is legally condoned and can be performed by non-physicians. The involvement of a physician is usually considered a necessary safeguard in assisted suicide and euthanasia. Physicians are trusted not to misuse these practices and they are believed to know how to make sure a painless death. Besides, the law has explicitly separated the issue of whether or not assisting death should be allowed in some circumstances and, whether physicians should do it. This splitting up has not resulted in moral desensitization of assisted suicide and euthanasia.
In this essay, the author
- Explains switzerland's unusual position on assisted suicide as it is legally condoned and can be performed by non-physicians. the law has explicitly separated the issue of whether or not assisting death should be allowed in some circumstances.
- Explains that article 115 of the swiss penal code considers assisting suicide a crime if the motive is selfish and condones it for altruistic reasons.
- Explains that swiss law doesn't consider suicide a crime or assisting suicide as involvement of crime. it views it as possibly rational and does not give physicians special status.
- Explains that swiss law does not recognize the concept of euthanasia. the federal government commissioned a working group to examine the issue.
- Explains that switzerland has focused on assisted suicide rights for the mentally ill. in 2006, the swiss federal supreme court laid out standards under which psychiatric patients might terminate their lives.
- Explains that assisted suicide is legal in switzerland even if the person requesting it is not terminally ill. however, it's a criminal offence in the uk and carries up to 14 years in prison.
- Opines that euthanasia asks questions that cannot be answered from the perspective of medicine alone. the inappropriateness between assisting voluntary death and the professional ethos of physicians may mean that physicians should not assist death.
785 wordsRead More - Assisted Suicide and the right to dieanalytical essaySuicide is the 10th leading cause of death now (National).Physician assisted suicide has been around since the beginning of time, to end the suffering of patients. This issue is still being argued whether it is right and should be passed as legislation making assisted suicide dependable. Assisted Suicide is when a physician provides all the necessary needs for a patient to commit suicide without physically doing it. For a physician, assisted suicide is when the patients have to request the act to be done and for the doctor to agree. The purpose of this research paper is to bring more awareness of physician assisted suicide and if it should be legalized.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death now. physician assisted suicide has been around since the beginning of time, to end the suffering of patients.
- Explains that there are many people against physician assisted suicide for many different reasons. jerald bachman and others believe that assisted-suicide should never be performed regardless of the situation.
- Analyzes how ezekiel's article euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide argues that patients with depression and psychological distress are more likely to have seriously discussed hoarded drugs.
- Analyzes how paul mass gives the history of assisted-suicide and how it raised many eyebrows increasingly.
- Opines that oregon legalizing physician assisted-suicide and having a system that seems to be working gives more reason to make it legal.
- Explains that many people assume that physician assisted suicide and euthanasia are both wrong, while others say only the physician is not physically committing the act.
- Explains that the european association for palliative care promotes the voices of physicians, nurses, and social workers that specialize in the relief of pain.
- Analyzes how clark's article agrees with freit’s discussion about physician assisted-suicide, and how terminally ill patients aren't mentally stable to make serious requests.
- Analyzes how melinda lee's article "legalizing assisted suicide----views of physicians in oregon" is making physician assisted suicide more reason to make it legal.
- Analyzes seal's survey of doctors and their feelings about assisted-suicide. 176 of them favored for assisted suicide, saying that they feel they are helping and are the best interest of their patients.
- Agrees with most articles regarding physician assisted-suicide and the right to die. there have been numerous tests, surveys, etc. on the patients, doctors, and society on this controversial issue.
1242 wordsRead More - Assisted Suicide Ethicsopinion essayIn 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.
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 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.
1759 wordsRead More - Essay on Euthanasia and Doctor-Assisted Suicideexplanatory essayUnderstanding Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide This paper will address some of the more popular points of interest involved with the euthanasia-assisted suicide discussion. There are less than a dozen questions which would come to mind in the case of the average individual who has a mild interest in this debate, and the following essay presents information which would satisfy that individual's curiosity on these points of common interest. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are legal in the state of Oregon and in the country of the Netherlands; these are the only two jurisdictions in the world where laws specifically permit euthanasia or assisted suicide. Oregon permits assisted suicide.(Oregon)
In this essay, the author
- Explains that wanzer, sidney h. m.d. et al., "the physician's responsibility toward hopelessly ill patients: a second look," 320 the new england journal of medicine.
- Explains that euthanasia and assisted suicide are legal in oregon and the netherlands.
- Explains that suicide took the lives of 30,535 people in 1997, 1.5 times as many as died from homicide.
- Explains that medscape's "death with dignity act" passed in november 1994 and went into effect in 1997.
1159 wordsRead More - Euthanasia Essay - Assisted Suicideanalytical essayAssisted Suicide/Euthanasia Remarkably, few have noticed that frail, elderly and terminally ill people oppose assisted suicide more than other Americans. The assisted-suicide agenda is moving forward chiefly with vocal support from the young, the able-bodied and the affluent, who may even think that their parents and grandparents share their enthusiasm. They are wrong.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that emanuel, dr. ezekiel et al., "euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide: attitudes and experiences of oncology patients and the public."
- Cites united states v. rutherford, 442 u.s.
- Argues that the assisted suicide agenda is a victory not for freedom, but for discrimination. christian hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes are on the front lines in providing compassionate care for suffering patients.
- Cites koenig, dr. harold et al., lee v. oregon, 891 f.supp. 1429, vacated on other grounds.
1576 wordsRead More - Argumentative Essay On Assisted Suicideanalytical essayWith the discussion of assisted suicide being a viral topic, there are many different opinions whether or not people are for or against it. As for me, I am against assisted suicide. Assisted suicide is currently legal in five states including Oregon, Vermont, Washington, California, and Montana. Methods in the way it is done may vary from state to state, but I still believe any type of assisted suicide is wrong. In the article “Always Care, Never Kill: How Physician-Assisted Suicide Endangers the Weak, Corrupts Medicine, Compromises the Family, and Violates Human Dignity and Equality,” it states that allowing physician-assisted suicide would be a big mistake for the four following reasons: “first, it would endanger the weak and vulnerable.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that allowing physician-assisted suicide would be a big mistake for four reasons: it would endanger the weak, corrupt medicine, compromise the family, and betray human dignity.
- Argues that allowing assisted suicide to be legal would mean endangerment to the weak and vulnerable. once it becomes legal, people will come out and think it is ok to do what they are doing.
- Argues that allowing assisted suicide would change the culture in which medicine has practiced, by corrupting the profession of medicine.
- Argues that assisted suicide would compromise the family as well as compromise different generations commitments. assisted suicide in this case would sabotage true compassion.
- Argues that allowing assisted suicide means a betrayal in human dignity and equality before the law.
732 wordsRead More - Assisted Suicide Argumentative Essayanalytical essayAssisted suicide is a controversial issue because it involves two opposing sides which hold their own points of views. Those who support assisted suicide believe that assisted suicide is the right to die. Some proponents of assisted suicide claim that the right to die means that if an ill person is in pain they should be able end their life. Additionally, supporters of assisted suicide think that assisted suicide should be legal. For example, according to the article, Pros and Cons of Euthanasia, ”the motive of euthanasia is to "aid-in-dying" painlessly and thus should be considered and accepted by law”(Pros 2016). But, those who oppose assisted suicide think that it is murder. They also argue that assisted suicide is breaking the Hippocratic Oath. Lastly, opponents believe that assisted suicide should be illegal. In closing, according to the articles Pros and Cons of Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia Timeline states that in places like Oregon, Vermont, Montana, Washington, Albania, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland and Luxembourg euthanasia, or assisted suicide is legalized (Assisted 2015) (Pros 2016).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that assisted suicide is a controversial issue because it involves two opposing sides which hold their own points of views.
- Explains that euthanasia is an act from physicians that directly and intentionally causes a person's death. some groups that oppose it are not dead yet and right to life.
- Explains that assisted suicide allows an ill person to stop living with the pain and suffering, they can just end it, with a physician's help.
- Opines that it would be cruel to make someone live with awful pain during their life, since our constitution does not allow cruel and unusual punishment for a criminal.
- Explains that assisted suicide is considered murder to some opponents. the website pros and cons of euthanasia claims that it is murdering someone that can't be rationalized for any reasons.
- Explains that physician assisted suicide is better than committing suicide because it'sn't as violent. dr. jack kevorkian, one of the most famous suicide doctors, helped hundreds of people with their death wish and later got charged with murder.
- Explains that assisted suicide or euthanasia is a medicine that kills you, but there are other alternative medicines that can help patients live.
- Analyzes the pros and cons of assisted suicide, stating that it helps our nation's economy. healthcare in the u.s. is crazy and expensive.
- Analyzes how the article pros and cons of euthanasia states that the family members of the sufferer can influence his/her decision of death.
- Analyzes how the website english online justifies that even if a patient is sick they shouldn't end their lives. the opponent article of euthanasia should not be legal states that no civilised society can legally kill any citizens.
1340 wordsRead More - Assisted Suicide Persuasive Essayopinion essayImagine you are diagnosed as a terminally ill patient. It is pre-determined that you are going to die in a matter of 6 months, whether dementia is dehumanizing you day by day, or you’re physically being detained from leaving your hospice bed. Whether you would even opt for assisted suicide or not, wouldn’t you want to at least have the choice to peacefully end your life that has already been confirmed to end in a matter of months? You would not only have the option of when you would want to end your life, but how, and surrounded by the people you love. As an American, we are all given the right to say, believe, and act as we want—without harming others—due to the 1st amendment of the constitution. If assisted suicide is illegal, doesn’t that take away our very right to live the life we want? If one is in so much pain, and has been diagnosed as a terminally ill patient, and they want to end their life in a dignified manner surrounded by their loved ones, isn’t it only fair to give them that option?
In this essay, the author
- Opines that if assisted suicide is illegal, doesn't it take away our right to live the life we want?
- Opines that the legalization of pas would "trickle" down to clinically depressed people, or people who may survive but are sick of being in constant pain everyday.
- Explains that most people would not take their lives unless there was a legitimate reason. the elimination of physician aid to terminally ill patients was considered unconstitutional.
- Describes physician assisted suicide as the intentional termination of life by another at the explicit request of the person who dies.
- Opines that the government is supposed to protect its citizens, but taking away their right to a short, peaceful death and leaving them with the day to day suffering does the opposite of protection.
- Opines that physician assisted suicide is a choice of how to beat an inevitable death. if one's idea of dying proud is fighting to the end, then that is their choice.
953 wordsRead More - The Pros And Cons Of Physician-Assisted Suicideopinion essayEvery state should offer the option of doctor-assisted suicide and not have this means of relief as something only specific to certain regions. This topic will not only enlighten the reader to something that tends to be overlooked but will open the reader’s minds to what terminally ill patients feel and experience. The patient’s perspective will show readers what leads them to this life-ending decision. Since Doctor assisted suicide is not a fundamental freedom guaranteed to each person in every state the undocumented suicide rates increase. Terminally ill patients will suffer from depression and find no meaning left in their lives which lead them to commit suicide in a horrific manner (Smith, “Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide” Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice published in 2002). The adoption of Physician Assisted suicide allows for the family and friends of the loved one to be present when they pass, and not find them alone and dead in their homes. Most of the information throughout the paper will be new to the audience in that most people have not done extensive research on the benefits. Hopefully, detailed research about the positive aspects of doctor-assisted suicide for the terminally ill will persuade the reader. After reading ample facts and information the reader should have a greater
In this essay, the author
- Explains that doctors can assist a patient in committing suicide by providing the necessary means and/or information to enable the patient to perform the life-ending act.
- Opines that every state should offer the option of doctor-assisted suicide and not have this means of relief as something only specific to certain regions.
- Explains why the benefits of doctor-assisted suicide for the terminally ill are wrongly overlooked, because it violates regulatory rules established by the american medical association.
- Opines that readers' needs and interests would include patients diagnosed with terminal illness, families, and doctoral associations, who would find value in the research.
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