Euthanasia

Euthanasia

According to recent research based on the death of patients with

terminally ill cancer, it has been found that families tend to deal

with the stress and grief of the death better if their loved ones die

by euthanasia in comparison to those who die naturally.

The research conducted in the Netherlands, asked family members and

close friends about signs relating to depression, grief and

post-traumatic stress due to the death. The research consisted of 510

people who had lost a family member or a close friend in the duration

of 1992-1999. Questionnaires were sent to 316 people who lost someone

as a result of natural cause and 189 people who lost someone as a

result of euthanasia. The research found that family or friends of the

patients who died as a result of euthanasia had less distressing

symptoms than that the family or friends of patients who died a

natural death.

Researchers say the results were due to the fact that family members

and close friends were able to be more prepared for the death. They

had the chance to say their goodbyes, which in the case of natural

death was not always possible. People could express how they feel by

speaking more openly about it.

Euthanasia is a debatable topic, which decides whether those with

painful and terminal conditions or illnesses are to be provided a pain

free channel of death, if asked for by them.

The word euthanasia is of Greek origin meaning easy death, the taking

of life to alleviate suffering. The meaning in medical terms is the

sincerity offered, to a patient having incurable illness, by medical

staff to ease the suffering or pain.

There are two mai...

... middle of paper ...

...ing the problems cannot solve the problems. The more difficult and

humane solution to human suffering is to address the problems.

Software

Comptons Complete Reference Collection

Publisher: Comptons Complete Reference Collection the learning company

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Websites

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BBC ¦ Health ¦ Euthanasia grief less severe

Article published 24th July 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3092905.stm

[Accessed 31st October 2003]

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BBC ¦ Health ¦ US mercy killing 'not a crime'

Article published 23rd March 1999

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/301020.stm

[Accessed article 1st November 2003]

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Books

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WORDSWORTH REFERENCE ¦ The Wordsworth Encyclopaedia

Published 1995 ¦ Volume 2 chubu-grig ¦ Page 765

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