Preview

Euthanasia Report and Recommendations

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1776 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Euthanasia Report and Recommendations
EUTHANASIA

Presented by Scott McCulloch

27 October 2012

2. Table of Contents Page

1. Title page 1 2. Table of contents 2 3. Summary 3 4. Introduction 4 4.1 Objective 4 4.2 Background 4 4.3 Methods of Inquiry 4 4.4 Definition of Terms 4 5. Reasons Supporting Euthanasia 5 5.1 Suffering 5 5.1.1 Right to Refuse 5 5.2 Life Support 5 5.3 Public Opinion 6 6. Reasons Against Euthanasia 7 6.1 Loss of Autonomy 7 6.2 Conflict of Interests 7 6.3 ‘Slippery Slope’ 7 7. Conclusion 8 8. Recommendations 9 8.1 Alternatives 9 8.2 Legal Control 9 8.3 Preventing Abuse 9 9. Reference List 10

3. Summary
The findings and conclusions detailed in this report highlight the arguments for and against euthanasia. For those in favour, euthanasia offers a compassionate ending to a life of intolerable suffering, where there is no chance of improvement or recovery. They argue that those patients can be given some dignity by allowing them the right to choose when to die. Those against euthanasia fear making assisted suicide a legal practice because of the potential abuses and argue that improvements in palliative care can alleviate any suffering terminally ill patients have. They also state that allowing people the right to choose when they die will lead society on a ‘slippery slope’ to further allowances.

There are three (3) recommendations specified in this report: 1. All medical measures should be taken to relieve the suffering of the patient. 2. Legal control and strict medical guidelines. 3. Carers of terminally ill people should be investigated.

4. Introduction
This report highlights the arguments for and against euthanasia. 4.1 Objective
To report

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Euthanasia Ethical Dilemma

    • 2102 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Euthanasia is a social issue in today’s world because not only does it affect the lives of those who are terminally ill and/or comatose, and the physicians who have been entrusted with their care, but it also affects the patient’s ability to have control over their own life, whether they are aware of this decision or not, which is one of the reasons why euthanasia has become such a controversial issue around the globe. Caddell and Newton (1995) define euthanasia as “any treatment initiated by a physician with the intent of hastening the death of another human being who is terminally ill and in severe pain or distress with the motive of relieving that person from great suffering” (p. 1,672). Even though the concept of great…

    • 2102 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    The term euthanasia originated from the Greek word for "good death." It is the act or practice of ending the life of a person either by lethal injection or the deferment of medical treatment (Munson, 2012, p. 578). Many view euthanasia as simply bringing relief by alleviating pain and suffering. Euthanasia has been a long-standing ethical debate for decades in the United States. Active euthanasia is only legal in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland and in the United States in the states of Washington, Oregon and Montana (Angell). Several surveys indicate that roughly two thirds of the American public now support physician-assisted suicide, and more than half the doctors in the United States do too (Angell). Active voluntary and nonvoluntary euthanasia matter because they allow the patient or family to relieve them of pain and suffering, and to die with dignity and respect. In this paper I will argue that it is immoral and unethical to deny a patient the right to die and that active voluntary and nonvoluntary euthanasia should be a legal practice in the United States.…

    • 2255 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Euthanasia is currently illegal in the UK and until 1961, so was suicide. Some people think that they are morally wrong and should not be encouraged. Some people debate that euthanasia, like suicide should be legalised because they are both one in the same. We should have the right to make our own decision about the time of our death. There are a lot of problems with this and in this essay I hope to explain them.…

    • 1067 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Euthanasia and the Giver

    • 1617 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Van Der Heide, Agnes, Van Delden, Johannes J M, Van Der Wal, Gerrit. "Docter-Assisted Dying: What Difference Does Legalisation Make?" December 2004 24-25 Medicine, Crime, Punishment…

    • 1617 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Euthanasia as defined by the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary is a quiet and easy death. One may wonder, is there such a thing as a quiet and easy death? This is one point that I will discuss in my paper, however the question that my paper will answer is; should active euthanasia be legalized? First, I will look at Philippa Foot's article on Euthanasia and discuss my opinions on it. Second, I will look at James Rachel's article on active and passive euthanasia and discuss why I agree with his argument. Finally, I will conclude by saying that while the legalizing of active euthanasia would benefit many people, it would hurt too many, thus I believe that it should not be legalized.…

    • 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
  • Powerful Essays

    Euthanasia is one word that is part of a nationwide debate that is often wrought with resistance due to selective terms being used interchangeably to result in misunderstandings and mass confusion. These combinations of individual terms create for completely different meanings, meanings that have already been instilled into the minds of human society that contribute to misconceptions about euthanasia. Euthanasia is defined as the intentional termination of life by another at the request of the person who is to receive their right to die, instead of dying naturally. There are many correlating synonyms of “eu” good and “thanatos” death: death with dignity, mercy killing, compassion in dying, and murder are some expressed by those who support as well as those against euthanasia. One important objective that will be met is the clarification of all labels associated with euthanasia: voluntary, non-voluntary, involuntary, passive, active, and omission. It is through describing the differences between passive and active euthanasia that similarities will be unearthed while also including intent, refusal, and request. Euthanasia has been linked to physician-assisted suicide (PAS), both of which are commonly debated due to being considered morally unethical. Advancements in medical technology are requiring alteration in traditional rules and fundamental concepts that will continue to promote the greatest life for the greatest amount of people possible. Legalization of voluntary active euthanasia requires weighing all possible consequences using the utilitarian hedonic calculus to best estimate as to whether this action will result in the highest level of pleasure.…

    • 3367 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The first aspect to consider is the moral perspective. Active euthanasia is now being viewed as a new alternative to ending one’s suffering. Those who support active euthanasia argue that a terminally ill patient who is in excruciating pain should be given the choice to decide whether or not one wants to live, claiming that it is the patient’s right. The situation is looked at as if the patient’s life is no longer valuable or worth living anymore, but who gets to be the judge…

    • 3029 Words
    • 13 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
  • Good Essays

    Euthanasia In Australia

    • 1254 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Euthanasia is often a controversial topic around all areas of the world. The idea of ‘assisted suicide’ has sparked debates and many countries, including Australia, are still hesitant or reluctant in allowing legislation for legalising Euthanasia to pass. This inquiry will aim to provide sufficient evidence as to why and how Euthanasia should become legalised while also evaluating and examining other cases and laws in other states regarding this topic.…

    • 1254 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The medical use of euthanasia has been one the most highly debated topics in healthcare for many years. Should you be able to decide when you want to die? Should physicians help patients who no longer wish to live die? To help gain insight into this highly controversial and fascinating topic, I have chosen an article from Santa Clara University. In this article, the author gave a beautiful example of an acceptable situation in which I believe euthanasia can be used. He explained that his first wife was dying of inoperable bone cancer. She had thrombosis, broken bones, and no longer had any control over her bowels. It was no longer a question of if she was going to die; it was a question of when. She had been suffering for two years and could no longer withstand the pain of her terminal illness. The authors have lobbied for a new law that would allow the use of euthanasia in the treatment of patients suffering from terminal diseases. Under their law, two different physicians would have to both determine that patient is dying from a terminal disease that can not be cured or successfully treated. As stated by one of the authors, Derek Humphry; “It’s me. It’s my body. It’s my liberty. It’s my life. And it’s my death. Let me have control.” If we have given patients the right to refuse feeding tubes and other life saving measures then why should they be stripped of the right to end their unbearable suffering. The biggest principle surround the use of euthanasia is autonomy, the right to self-determination. Some individuals argue that autonomy gives you the freedom to have another person intervene to take your life, while others argue that taking one’s life is a contraindication of autonomy as you are giving away your freedom. There is no doubt that this topic will be debated for many years to come. I personally believe that an individual suffering a terminal disease should be given the right…

    • 441 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    There are currently only a few countries in the world have recognized the fundamental human right to bodily control by legalizing assisted suicide, however it is practiced almost everywhere, whether legal or not. The word “euthanasia” is translated from Greek and literally means “good death” or “easy death” (Smith, 2002). Euthanasia, also referred to as “assisted suicide”, is the act of a person (most often a physician) intentionally taking someone else’s life in order to eliminate or prevent severe pain (Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, 2008). There are three types of euthanasia; voluntary, non-voluntary and involuntary (this essay only encourages voluntary) (Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, 2008). Euthanasia is frowned upon in most societies around the world for moral, ethical and religious reasons - but this issue could be seen in a different light. There are many remarkably ill people around the world who suffer needlessly. Legalizing euthanasia would give people the ultimate rights over their own fate, save money for governments and hospitals, and end the unnecessary suffering of terminally ill patients.…

    • 1357 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Over the past decade the issue of euthanasia has gained vast support on both of the opposing sides, it continues to be one of the most controversial issues in modern day Britain. The most common form of euthanasia is assisted suicide in which someone suffering from a terminal illness such as multiple sclerosis would ask a family member to aid them in ending their life by whatever means necessary. The general view of euthanasia is the as straight forward as flicking a switch and should be legal based on that juvenile belief. In reality euthanasia can be dissected to reveal an array of tiers in which the simple action is not as clear-cut as it is portrayed. These tiers take the forms of passive, active, voluntary and involuntary. The view is those that oppose euthanasia is based largely on the belief in palliative care and religious reasoning, in which life is portrayed as a gift from god and ending life prematurely is fundamentally wrong. These opposing views are ethical and frequently changing and adapting based largely on public opinion conversely the views of the law is constant and until recently was never questioned yet since the introduction of the European Courts of Human Rights into Britain there has been more and more demand for reform to allow for euthanasia under certain circumstances. It is essential that both sides of the debate…

    • 2423 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Debate Resolution: If voluntary euthanasia is legalized in the U.S., it will have primarily positive and acceptable social consequences. Consequently, it should be legal…

    • 1912 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Voluntary and assisted euthanasia is not a new phenomenon. End of life care for long term, short term, and terminal illnesses has always occurred. However, with advances in medicine, patients’ lives may be lengthened. For many individuals, end of life care is paired with pain and suffering. Does it have to be this way? If an individual has the capacity to make their own medical decisions, and wants to end their life, should we as health care providers deny them this? We can consider suicide as self-determined…

    • 1363 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays