Preview

Active Voluntary and Nonvoluntary Euthanasia

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2255 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Active Voluntary and Nonvoluntary Euthanasia
Active Voluntary and Nonvoluntary Euthanasia 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. When denied the right to die one can endure a tremendous amount of physiological and emotional pain. The 1973 case of Dax Cowart is a great example of this. Dax went through fourteen months of grueling, barbaric treatments of skin debriding, tank soakings, and dressing changes. He compared the debridements to being skinned alive and the solutions poured over his skin were like having alcohol poured over raw flesh except it burns more and longer (Asher). Dax requested on several different occasions to just leave him alone and let him die but all of his physicians’ refused his requests and kept going with their treatment plan. The physicians were going against the principle of non-maleficence, which states, “ Physicians have an obligation to do no harm to the patient” (Munson, 2012, p. 892). Dax suffered


References: Angell, Marcia. "The Supreme Court and Physician-Assisted Suicide — The Ultimate Right." New England Journal of Medicine. 336 (1997): 50-53. Web. 1 Dec. 2012. Asher, Karen. (2003 May 30). UVA Newsmakers: Dax Cowart. Retrieved from: http://www.viginia.edu/uvenewsmakers/newsmakers/cowart.html Munson, R. (2012). Intervention and reflection: basic issues in bioethics. (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Wadsworth. Quill 1, Timothy E. “Terry Shiavo- a tragedy compounded.” New England Journal of Medicine. 352 (2005): 1630-1633. Web 1 Dec. 2012. Quill 2, Timothy. “Death and dignity- a case of individualized decision making.” New England Journal of Medicine. 324 (1991):691-694. Web 28 Nov. 2012.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Voluntary/Assisted Euthanasia
    • 1212 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Voluntary/Assisted Euthanasia

    Perry, J., Churchill, L., Kirshner, H. (2005). The Terri Schiavo Case: Legal, Ethical, and Medical Perspectives. Annals of Internal Medicine, 143(10), 744-748. Retrieved from http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=718842…

    • 1212 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Physician-Assisted Suicide - an Utilitarian Perspective
    • 1475 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Physician-Assisted Suicide - an Utilitarian Perspective

    Physician-assisted suicide is “the voluntary termination of one's own life by administration of a lethal substance with the direct or indirect assistance of a physician. Physician-assisted suicide is the practice of providing a competent patient with a prescription for medication for the patient to use with the primary intention of ending his or her own life” (MedicineNet.com, 2004). Many times this ethical issue arises when a terminally-ill patient with and incurable illness, whom is given little time to live, usually less than six-months, has requested a physician’s assistance in terminating one’s life. This practice with the terminally ill is known as euthanasia. Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia is a controversial topic that brings up many ethical issues and the rights of the patients the physicians serve. Many questions arise when this topic is discussed. For example, does an individual have the right to end their life, if prolonging it will only cause more pain and suffering? Should families, who do not want to lose a loved one, be allowed to prolong the pain in the life of a terminally ill family member so they do not experience loss? Is this more or less ethical than letting the person die? This paper will examine why terminally-ill patients should be allowed to make decisions regarding their care and their life. This paper will examine a utilitarian perspective on physician-aided suicide, which provides a solid argument for allowing physician-assisted suicides in certain circumstances.…

    • 1475 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Euthanasia Ethical Dilemma
    • 2102 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Euthanasia Ethical Dilemma

    I. INTRODUCTION: 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
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    A Stand Against Assisted Suicide - Essay
    • 2378 Words
    • 10 Pages

    A Stand Against Assisted Suicide - Essay

    A Stand Against Assisted Suicide Assisted suicide is a highly controversial topic. Assisted suicide is when, upon request, a doctor prescribes a lethal dose of medication to a terminally ill patient so that the patient can kill him or herself. In other words, a doctor provides the means for a patient to commit suicide. A form of assisted suicide is euthanasia. Euthanasia is when the doctor intentionally kills the patient with the intentions of ending the patient’s suffering; mercy killing. Although there have been many Supreme Court rulings on assisted suicide and the practice of euthanasia, it is legal in some states like Oregon and Washington. The practice of assisted suicide is done under the term “terminally ill.” There is no concrete interpretation of the phrase. Therefore, the phrase terminally ill can be interrupted according to which ever definition works best for us. Assisted suicide also causes mistrust between patients and doctors, unnecessary deaths, and involuntary suicide. Assisted suicide has a profound affect on family relationships, doctor-patient relationships, and ethical standards because of the mistrust it creates and the controversy over the issue. Assisted suicide and the use of euthanasia should be outlawed everywhere in the United States, not just in some states. Because euthanasia is a form of assisted suicide, I will, for the purpose of this paper, address the terms “assisted suicide” and “euthanasia” as one practice.…

    • 2378 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Assisted Suicide
    • 2527 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Assisted Suicide

    Assisted Suicide Megan Today there are millions of people who are living with a terminal illness. Many of these people are basically waiting to die. Modern medicine can either do nothing more to help them or they have enacted their right to refuse treatments. Whichever the case may be the question arises: should we have the right to choose to die? This paper will be examining euthanasia and assisted suicide. It will begin by first defining what euthanasia; it will also be looking into the different types of euthanasia; there is passive and active. Next I will share my own personal feeling on the issue of euthanasia. I do believe in certain circumstances that euthanasia should be allowed; after all the law does support a human beings right to determine what will be done their own body. Each person is going to have their own view of the issue; my opinion on it is not going to be the same as someone else’s. Then this paper will define and describe the special populations that are presented on the Pro/Con website as well as how this population might be adversely affected by euthanasia. I will discuss my own beliefs regarding euthanasia and these special populations. And finally this paper will look at the laws concerning physician assisted suicide in Texas. It will compare and contrast theses laws against Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act.…

    • 2527 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Assisted Suicide
    • 1770 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Assisted Suicide

    Today’s doctors are now performing what is known as physician-assisted suicide, which is when a doctor sets up a machine, but the patient actually kills him or herself. The right to assisted suicide is a significant topic that concerns people all over the United States. The debates go back and forth about whether a dying patient has the right to die with the assistance of a physician. Some are against it because of religious and moral reasons, and some are for it because of their compassion and respect for the dying. Physicians also take a big role on this issue. They differ where they place the line that separates relief from dying--and killing. The main concern with assisted suicide lies with the competence of the terminally ill. Terminally ill patients who are in the final stages of their lives have requested doctors to aid them in exercising active euthanasia. It is sad to realize that these people are in great agony and that to them the only hope of bringing that agony to a halt is through assisted suicide. When people see the word euthanasia, they see the meaning of the word in two different lights. Euthanasia for some carries a negative connotation; it is the same as murder. However for others, euthanasia is the act of putting someone to death painlessly, or allowing a person suffering from an incurable and painful disease or condition to die by withholding extreme medical measures. But after studying both sides of the issue, a compassionate individual must conclude that competent terminal patients should be given the right to assisted suicide in order to end their suffering, reduce the damaging financial…

    • 1770 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Psy/357 End Of Life Research Paper
    • 1077 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Psy/357 End Of Life Research Paper

    Euthanasia, often referred to as mercy killing, easy death, or right to die, generates strong feelings both pro and con as proponents of each side passionately argue their ideological stance. The broader concept is often missed with the attention placed on the narrow view of physician-assisted suicide. Many have little or no tolerance or understanding of the patient’s position feeling there is no quality of life in their present circumstance or condition and as such, they have a personal choice or entitlement to end their life or have someone else assist them in ending it in order to cease their own personal, unbearable, suffering and/or pain. Currently, this type of practice within these United States is deemed unacceptable and unlawful except within the states of Oregon, Washington, and Montana (Marker,…

    • 1077 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    The Right to Choose Physician-Assisted Suicide
    • 1575 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The Right to Choose Physician-Assisted Suicide

    Cassity, S.A. (2009). To Die or Not to Die: The History and Future of Assisted Suicide Laws in the U.S. Utah Law Review, 11(2), 515-523.…

    • 1575 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Physician-Assisted Suicide: the Right to Die with Dignity
    • 3192 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Physician-Assisted Suicide: the Right to Die with Dignity

    Physician-Assisted Suicide: The Right to Die with Dignity One of the most controversial topics in society is physician-assisted suicide. The debate is endless in regards to human suffering. There is a solid argument in favor of physician-assisted suicide in terminally ill patients, who are experiencing unbearable pain and have little time left. Research shows that one who is terminally ill and going through excruciating pain has the right to make decisions regarding free choice and human dignity to end one’s life in a merciful way. Research on opposing arguments will show that physician-assisted suicide has negative psychological effects on the doctor along with being morally wrong to take the precious gift of life. Public attitude, education, perception, religious beliefs, family values, and freedom of choice all combine to make the decision of whether physician-assisted suicide is right or wrong, is murder or not murder, one that will truly never be clearly defined. This writer believes that all human beings have the right to be safe and free of pain when one is suffering from a terminal illness.…

    • 3192 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Physician Assisted Suicide Argumentative Analysis
    • 1640 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Physician Assisted Suicide Argumentative Analysis

    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
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Active and Passive Euthanasia 2
    • 1527 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Active and Passive Euthanasia 2

    In this dissertation we will explore active and passive euthanasia, the brouhaha surrounding the two and which one is appropriate and morally sound for modern times. James Rachel has written a very poignant supposition on active and passive euthanasia. Though many disagree with him on the appropriateness of the practice as it relates to humans and what is considered alive. Some believe that one is dead when the brain is dead or in a comatose state.…

    • 1527 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Physician Assisted Suicide Research Paper
    • 3211 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Physician Assisted Suicide Research Paper

    Rebecca J Jones ENG 105 April 16 2012 Legalization of Physician Assisted Suicide 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
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Active and Passive Euthanasia - Paper
    • 3008 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Active and Passive Euthanasia - Paper

    Active and Passive Euthanasia Abstract The traditional distinction between active and passive euthanasia requires critical analysis. The conventional doctrine is that there is such an important moral difference between the two that, although the latter is sometimes permissible, the former is always forbidden. This doctrine may be challenged for several reasons. First of all, active euthanasia is in many cases more humane than passive euthanasia. Secondly, the conventional doctrine leads to decisions concerning life and death on irrelevant grounds. Thirdly, the doctrine rests on a distinction between killing and letting die that itself has no moral importance. Fourthly, the most common arguments in favor of the doctrine are invalid. I therefore suggest that the American Medical Association policy statement that endorses this doctrine is unsound. (N Engl J Med 292:78-80, 1975) The distinction between active and passive euthanasia is thought to be crucial for medical ethics. The idea is that it is permissible, at least in some cases, to withhold treatment and allow a patient to die, but it is never permissible to take any direct action designed to kill the patient. This doctrine seems to be accepted by most doctors, and it is endorsed in a statement adopted by the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association on December 4, 1973: The intentional termination of the life of one human being by another -mercy killing is contrary to that for which the medical profession stands and is contrary to the policy of the American Medical Association. The cessation of the employment of extraordinary means to prolong the life of the body when there is irrefutable evidence that biological death is imminent is the decision of the patient and/or his immediate family. The advice and judgment of the physician should be freely available to the patient and/or his immediate family. However, a strong case can be made against this doctrine. In what follows I will set out some of…

    • 3008 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Study Notes on Euthanasia
    • 973 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Study Notes on Euthanasia

    Alleviate further suffering Not killing Active Euthanasia 1. Human activity 2. Commission “Killing” 3. Physician assisted suicide…

    • 973 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Synopsis on Euthanasia
    • 1323 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Synopsis on Euthanasia

    Euthanasia Euthanasia Introduction Euthanasia is a complex and complicated issue. There are many arguments for and against, and the debate is highly relevant as we often have to deal with it. Is it okay to take another person's life, although the person requested to be killed? Who is responsible, the doctor or the patient? What is the difference between euthanasia and murder? These are just a few questions you might have to deal with. In most cases of euthanasia, the person who is killed made a request to be killed, but in some cases the person wasn’t able to make such a request. Due of the massive debate and relevance I chose this subject.…

    • 1323 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics