Right to Die Ethical Case Analysis
UNITS 5 & 6
ASSIGNMENT # 3
Case Study Analysis
Physician-Assisted Death
Rob Thibodeau
July, 2012
This assignment will discuss a case involving an individual known to me. It centres on the real and contentious issue of the “right to die”, specifically in the context of physician-assisted death. This issue is widely debated in the public eye for two reasons. The first considers under what conditions a person can choose when to die and the second considers if someone ever actually has a ‘right to die’. The following analysis will consider solutions to the ethical dilemma of physician-assisted death through the lens of three ethical theories. It will also take into account the potential influence of an individual’s religious beliefs in making ethical decisions. Robert is a 48 year-old husband and father of 2 teenage children. He is employed in the public service and has lived a relatively healthy life. In January, Rob experienced symptoms including muscle weakness, clumsy hand movements, and stiffness in his body. He presented to his regular physician who put him through a series of tests, then referred him to a specialist. After several months of further testing, Rob was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This news was a tremendous shock to him and his family. The doctors began a regimen of medications to assist him in his daily functioning however there is no cure or chance of remission for this disease in the current medical environment. The disease eventually causes complete paralysis of many normal functions and can be accompanied by increasing emotional and physical pain.
The progression of the disease made life increasingly difficult and painful for Rob. He eventually reached a decision where he wanted to avoid further physical and emotional suffering to both himself and his family. He approached his family physician and asked him to assist in terminating his life. Though ALS eventually leads to death in the long-term, Rob
ASSIGNMENT # 3
Case Study Analysis
Physician-Assisted Death
Rob Thibodeau
July, 2012
This assignment will discuss a case involving an individual known to me. It centres on the real and contentious issue of the “right to die”, specifically in the context of physician-assisted death. This issue is widely debated in the public eye for two reasons. The first considers under what conditions a person can choose when to die and the second considers if someone ever actually has a ‘right to die’. The following analysis will consider solutions to the ethical dilemma of physician-assisted death through the lens of three ethical theories. It will also take into account the potential influence of an individual’s religious beliefs in making ethical decisions. Robert is a 48 year-old husband and father of 2 teenage children. He is employed in the public service and has lived a relatively healthy life. In January, Rob experienced symptoms including muscle weakness, clumsy hand movements, and stiffness in his body. He presented to his regular physician who put him through a series of tests, then referred him to a specialist. After several months of further testing, Rob was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This news was a tremendous shock to him and his family. The doctors began a regimen of medications to assist him in his daily functioning however there is no cure or chance of remission for this disease in the current medical environment. The disease eventually causes complete paralysis of many normal functions and can be accompanied by increasing emotional and physical pain.
The progression of the disease made life increasingly difficult and painful for Rob. He eventually reached a decision where he wanted to avoid further physical and emotional suffering to both himself and his family. He approached his family physician and asked him to assist in terminating his life. Though ALS eventually leads to death in the long-term, Rob
References: 1. Lander University: http://philosophy.lander.edu/ethics/calculus.html : Philosophy 302: Ethics The Hedonistic Calculus 2. Athabasca University –study guide unit 2 pg. 9 - Kantian Deontology. 3. National Institute of Neurological Disorders: www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/amyotrophiclateralsclerosis 4. Canadian Medical Journal: http://www.cmaj.ca 5. Athabasca University study guide unit readings: Chapter one: Moral Theories- pages 22-34 Deontological Ethics. 6. Athabasca University study guide Unit 2: Reading Assignment 2 – “Ethics for the Professions” by J rowan and S Zinaich Jr., Print reading file 7. Virtue Ethics - Kraut, Richard, "Aristotle 's Ethics", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.) 8. “Pope John Paul II - Humanae Vitae”, 1968: Catechism 2280:www.vatican.va