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applying ethics chapter one
applying ethics chapter 1
the history of euthanasia
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With the growing media attention, Euthanasia has become a huge controversy that is split down the middle. The subject of euthanasia goes back several hundred years but has received much attention in the past century and is still a huge issue. Let’s take a look at what exactly euthanasia is, the history, my views on the subject, and society’s arguments for and against it. According to euthanasia.com, euthanasia is “the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit”. There are four different types of euthanasia and two different ways in which it can be carried out. The different types are: voluntary euthanasia (request to be killed), non-voluntary euthanasia (no request or consent), involuntary euthanasia (expressed wish), and assisted suicide (someone helps carry out the suicide). If it is the doctor who helps, then it is known as physician assisted suicide. The two different ways to perform euthanasia are: euthanasia by action (“performing an action” i.e. lethal injection) and euthanasia by omission (withholding care or food) (Euthanasia). In 1920, Alfred Hoche, M.D., a professor of psychiatry at the University of Freiburg, and Karl Binding, a professor of law at the University of Leipzig, wrote a book called Permitting the Destruction of Life not Worthy of Life. This book said that “under certain circumstances” if a patient requested, a doctor could help them in carrying out their wishes (Euthanasia). Euthanasia had been an issue in many countries, even becoming legal in the Netherlands in 2000 and in Belgium in 2002, but this has really become a topic of discussion in the United States back in the late 1990s, when Oregon legalized assisted suicides in 1998 and then ten years ... ... middle of paper ... ... offer. There are people who are sympathetic and understand that it is a difficult decision, as well as, an issue that should not be taken lightly or decided upon right there on the spot, if it was not discussed amongst everyone involved beforehand. Works Cited Euthanasia Suicide Mercy-killing Right-to-die Physician Assisted Suicide Living Wills Research. 2011. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. . Evans, Hilary. "Pitfalls of Physician-assisted Suicide." Physicians News. Sept. 1997. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. . MS, Afiff. Pro Euthanasia Arguments - 2010 Edition. 1st ed. Afiff MS, 2010. Kindle. "Top 10 Pros and Cons - Euthanasia - ProCon.org." Euthanasia ProCon.org -- Should Euthanasia Be Legal? 28 May 2010. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. .
Bernards, Neal, Ed. (1989). Euthanasia: Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints Series, Series Eds. David L. Bender and Bruno Leone. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press.
Velasquez, Manuel, Andre, Claire “Assisted Suicide A Right or Wrong.” Santa Clara university n.d. web 24 March 2012
Braddock and Tonelli. “Physician-Assisted Suicide.” Ethics in Medicine University of Washington Medical School. 2008. .
Potts, Stephen G.. "Euthanasia Should Not Be Legalized." Euthanasia: Opposing Viewpoints. Bernards, Neal. ed. San Diego. Greenhaven Press, Inc. 1989.
Legalize physician assisted suicide - Those that believe that physician assisted suicide should be legal primarily argue on the basis of patient autonomy and family considerations. The first argument, patient autonomy, states that terminally ill patients should have the right to control the circumstances of their death and to determine when t...
Smith, Cheryl. "Should Active Euthanasia Be Legalized: Yes." American Bar Association Journal April 1993. Rpt. in CQ Researcher 5.1 (1995): 409.
The debate over euthanasia is a prevalent and pressing issue in today’s society, and possibly one of the most popular. Euthanasia is a topic that will separate a room of people by beliefs. About three years ago, 22 percent of the 18 members of the Humane Society board resigned over the controversial issue of euthanasia (Humane Society CEO Search Reignites Euthanasia Debate 2014). This is a debated issue in which many believe that a person should have the right to decide on how they feel (EUTHANASIA Will Be Debated at an Event in Cheltenham This Week 2014). Euthanasia is a heavily debated topic that is deeply divided because of personal conviction or religion. This is an ongoing moral and ethical worldwide debate, is the w...
Markoff, Steven. “State by-State Guide to Physician Assisted Suicide” ProCon.org. 13 December 2013, 30 March 2014.
Euthanasia and assisted suicide is known as a process in which an individual (sick or disabled) engages in an act that leads to his or her own death with the help of physicians or family members to end pain and suffering. There are several other terms used for this process, such as active euthanasia or passive euthanasia. Active euthanasia refers to what is being done to actively end life while passive euthanasia is referred as eliminating a treatment that will prolong a patient’s life, which will eventually lead to death (Levy et al., 2103, p. 402). Euthanasia and assisted suicide pose a significant ethical issue today, and understanding the issue requires examining the different principles, such as the ethical issue, professional code of conduct, strength and limitations, autonomy and informed consent, beneficence and nonmaleficence, distribution, and confidentiality and truthfulness.
ProCon. "Historical Timeline." Euthanasia - ProCon.org. ProCon.org, 28 Sept. 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. .
perspective on euthanasia. Journal of Medical Ethics, 36(5), 306. Retrieved March 15, 2011, from Research Library.
ProCon (December, 13, 2013). Euthanasia. Retrieved from http://euthanasia.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000126 “This was a fantastic source to reference throughout this essay, it covers boths sides of this controversial issue without bias. It also covers the history of the subjects, which helped with building a timeline”
Euthanasia has been an ongoing debate for many years. Everyone has an opinion on why euthanasia should or should not be allowed but, it is as simple as having the choice to die with dignity. If a patient wishes to end his or her life before a disease takes away their quality of life, then the patient should have the option of euthanasia. Although, American society considers euthanasia to be morally wrong euthanasia should be considered respecting a loved one’s wishes. To understand euthanasia, it is important to know the rights humans have at the end of life, that there are acts of passive euthanasia already in practice, and the beneficial aspects.
Euthanasia is a sensitive topic and its sensitivity brings the world to a division. The two sides are those who support the issue and those who are not in favour. The side that supports the idea can argue that...
Euthanasia is very controversial topic in the world today. Euthanasia, by definition, is the act of killing someone painlessly ,especially someone suffering from an incurable illness. Many people find euthanasia morally wrong, but others find people have control over thier own bodies and have a right to die. A solution to this problem is to have the patient consent to euthansia and have legal documentation of the consent.