Preview

Argumentative Essay: Pro Euthanasia

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
893 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Argumentative Essay: Pro Euthanasia
Brittany Decker
7/26/2014
PHI – 105
Instructor Sarah Robertson
Pro Euthanasia Should terminally ill people be able to decide their own fate on whether they live a helpless life or they die with dignity? The purpose of this essay is to explain the benefits of legalizing euthanasia for terminally ill patients to have that choice. A patient can only be classified as terminally ill if a medical doctor has determined that the individuals is over 18 years of age and their death will be directly correlated to their specified incurable disease. Life expectancy of these patients is typically six months or less (Klinger, pg. 111). The process of being qualified for physician-assisted death is a patient must be diagnosed as terminally ill from two doctors, pass a psychological analysis to verify sanity by two psychologists, and must have the support from family for nonfinancial reasons. Euthanasia should be made legal throughout the world because it improves a person’s life, helps prevent painful deaths, and saves the family and patient money.
Euthanasia should
…show more content…
(2011, January 1). Home. Retrieved July 5, 2014, from http://www.life.org.nz/euthanasia/euthanasiapoliticalkeyissues/economics/
Hanks, G. The euthanasia debate and a new position paper from a Task Force of the EAPC: a helpful reappraisal or a retreat into obfuscation?. (2003) Palliative Medicine, 92-93.
Klinger, C., Howell, D., Zakus, D., & Deber, R. (2014). Barriers and facilitators to care for the terminally ill: A cross-country case comparison study of Canada, England, Germany, and the United States. Palliative Medicine, 28(2), 111-120. Doi: 10.1177/0269216313493342
Magnusson, R. S. Euthanasia: Above Ground, Below Ground. (2004). Journal of Medical Ethics, 441-446.
Morris, M. (2012, September 12). 10 Arguments For Legalizing Euthanasia - Listverse.Listverse. Retrieved July 5, 2014, from

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Research Paper on Euthanasia

    • 2719 Words
    • 11 Pages

    One of the most hotly debated ethical issue of our time is one of Euthanasia. Euthanasia comes from the Greek words “Eu”, meaning well or easy, and “Thanatos”, meaning death. In modern terms it is the intentional premature termination of another’s life by direct intervention or by withholding care.[1] Within that it can be either voluntary (expressed or implied consent), or involuntary. The two sides of this debate are the rights of an individual to decide when he or she is to die, or the sanctity of life and the states responsibility to protect people.…

    • 2719 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Cited: Foot, Philippa. "Euthanasia." Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues. 2nd ed. Eds. Steven M. Cahn and Peter Markie. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. 790-805…

    • 1384 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The argument that has sent the world into a tailspin is whether or not people suffering from terminal or excruciatingly painful illness have the right to take their own lives by way of physician-assisted suicide. Proponents contend that what one does with one 's life is of no consequence to anyone else -- that it is humane to allow someone to be relieved of constant – if not unbearable – discomfort. On the other hand, critics claim that the act of euthanasia is nothing more than a fabricated form of murder. Indeed, both sides have pertinent points when it comes to understanding and assessing the conflict, but euthanasia supporters have a significantly stronger argument when considering the bigger picture. Clearly, physician-assisted suicide is not only the right thing to do for someone seeking such a decision, but it is ethical and humane for a physician to abide by the patient 's wish.…

    • 2793 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    If you were told you had a terminally ill disease and only had one more year to live, filled with suffering, what would you chose to do? This question leads us to the sensitive and controversial topic of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Euthanasia can simply be defined as physician-assisted death for terminally ill patients. This issue has stirred debates that have drawn attention to the complex issues concerning the ethical implications of end-of-life care. Supporters of euthanasia argue that they seek only to prevent unnecessary suffering while the critics maintain that it is unethical to end an individual’s life. However, many public opinions have reported that over 80% of the general population support amendments in the law to…

    • 889 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    A hotly debated issue regarding the quality of life for terminally ill patients revolves around the morality and legal implications of euthanasia, or physician assisted suicide which is defined as the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease, or in an irreversible coma. There are already a multitude of laws in place regulating physician assisted suicide in some states and countries, as well as laws preventing the practice. But despite these preventative laws physician assisted suicide remains an underground practice to relieve patient suffering. In lieu of the supposed moral issues associated with physician assisted suicide,…

    • 3211 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Physician Assisted Death

    • 2942 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Many of us have felt the pain of watching a loved one’s life slowly diminish in a hospital bed. Today, modern medicine and doctors can only go so far to care for terminally ill patients. Even with the knowledge of this country’s best medicine and most extraordinary doctors, many of the terminally ill suffer persistently; they become unhappy, and some are not able to fend for themselves in ways healthy individuals find to be easy and are able to do. The simple every day actions begin to be tremendous struggles such as eating, moving, and even communicating. In extreme cases, terminally ill patients may no longer find the will or strength to move forward. Physician-assisted death can be constructed to have reasonable laws, which still protect against its abuse and the value of human life, easing the patients suffering when nearing the end of their life. Physician-assisted death is ethical and is a compassionate response to unbearable suffering. Physicians should be required by law to help terminally ill patients, with no hope, which have a strong desire to end their lives.…

    • 2942 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Physician Assisted Suicide

    • 1899 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The argument over physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and the right-to-die movement has plagued American society, for decades. A large amount of people are concerned that legalizing doctor assisted suicide is irrational and violates the life-saving tradition of medicine. Nevertheless, the main issue surrounding the issue of assisted suicide is who has the right to choose when someone dies? There are countless of questions in different levels, and views surrounding this right. Physician-assisted suicide should be a legalized medical practice for terminally ill patient who needs to be relieved from suffering so that they may have a peaceful death.…

    • 1899 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Physician assisted suicide is a highly controversial bioethical issue that has been increasingly debated in recent years. Advocates of physician assisted suicide argue that it champions patient autonomy and reduces suffering while opposers suggest the benefits outweigh the risks and that there are other acceptable alternatives to the practice. This paper attempts to demonstrate the permissibility of physician assisted suicide as a regulated, medically reliable end-of-life option that can help end the suffering of individuals struggling with terminal illnesses. This will be achieved while still providing a comprehensive view of both opponents’ and supporters’ perspectives on the issue, specifically regarding the nature of the death that comes…

    • 1640 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In recent years, assisted suicide has become a rather controversial topic regarding whether or not a dying patient has the right to die with the assistance of a physician. While some are against it due to moral beliefs, others support it as a result of their respect for those suffering. However, physicians remain divided on the issue, being torn on the difference between relief from dying and murder. After analyzing the issue in depth, it is clear that terminally ill patients should be granted the right to assisted suicide in order to end their suffering, reduce financial burdens placed upon their families, and preserve the right of individuals to determine their own fate when facing death.…

    • 959 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Imagine being sentenced to a slow and painful death due to terminal illness. Sounds like…

    • 1567 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The concept and practice of physician assisted suicide is a highly debated topic in today’s news. People often question the morals of the physicians who practice euthanasia and there are some who believe that they should not even be considered doctors. Euthanasia is the ending of someone's life through a doctor's help and is still illegal in most countries. One of the most well known advocates for the practice of euthanasia is Jack Kevorkian, who has also been referred to as Dr. Death. He was tried and convicted of second degree murder, however his practice gained a lot of support from the publicity of his trials. Although he is responsible for over 130 deaths, Kevorkian is a hero in today’s standards because of his involvement in the practice…

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Physician- assisted suicide is a controversial issue, which can revolve around whether it is right or wrong. Death can be expected or sudden. When a person becomes ill, treatment can be used to prolong the inevitable. Patients who are terminally ill should have options available for them to end their suffering. Physicians should play a part in assisting a patient with death if this is what the patient request. I will discuss why this should be legal, and look at both sides. Patients should have the right to die with dignity. Although this is a controversial issue, this is an endless debate on human suffering rights.…

    • 1730 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Euthanasia is becoming more and more popular throughout the United States, the World for that matter. Euthanasia is assisted suicide, and many have different beliefs as to whether or not it is religiously acceptable, socially acceptable, and morale acceptable. The main idea of this essay is, “People who are terminally ill, should have a say so as to whether or not they want to end their life.” ( Bristo)…

    • 1661 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Most people want to live long and healthy live and hope that when the time comes, that it will be painless, and of old age. The realities of this wishful thinking is that death comes in many ways and in many cases it comes with miserable conditions that linger on and on.…

    • 656 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The definition of euthanasia from the Oxford Dictionary is: “The painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or is in an incurable coma.” Consider the words “suffering,” “painful,” “irreversible” and “incurable.” These words describe a patients terrible conditions and prospects. Euthanasia is known as “mercy killing” for a reason, it is the most, humane, moral and logical form of treatment available to patients that have no hope in fully recovering. If you had to choose between lying in bed dying a slow and painful death, or dying a quick painless death at the time you choose so that you can be surrounded by all your loved ones, which would you choose? With euthanasia, patients have this latter choice, offering them the ability to end their pain and suffering.…

    • 963 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays