Nursing Research
Analysis of the Ethical Dilemma of Euthanasia
Euthanasia, whether assisted or voluntary, is the act of merciful killing and its purpose is to end suffering and pain of a patients terminal illness or injury. In two states physician assisted suicide is legal. The difference between euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide is in euthanasia – the healthcare provider actually does end the patients’ life. In physician-assisted suicide – the physician provides the patients with the means to perform the suicide themselves. Ethically, many principles need to be considered when options of euthanasia arise. Firstly, it is illegal in the United States, and secondly, it is considered against many ethical codes for a healthcare professional or provider to end life. The principles of non-maleficence, beneficence, and autonomy are three primary principles considered when the end of life for the patient is approaching. Healthcare professionals and healthcare providers should consider their state regulatory board limitations of practice and also code of ethics before allowing or assisting in euthanasia of patients despite their request. An analysis of ethical principles with respect to euthanasia of patients reveals that healthcare professionals and healthcare providers have to maintain nonmaleficence, beneficence and respect autonomy when making decisions and recommendations to their patients and their care.
The topic of voluntary/assisted euthanasia has been a highly debated issue for some time now. With cases such as Terry Schiavo case and Dax case, it brings to the forefront the moral and ethical issues associated with voluntary/assisted euthanasia. In the Terry Schiavo case, she did not have the ability to verbalize and otherwise communicate her desires as far as life sustaining wishes. Dax, on the other hand, had the ability to communicate and verbalized several times the desire to die. In both cases autonomy was taken away from the individual and placed in the hands of
Euthanasia, whether assisted or voluntary, is the act of merciful killing and its purpose is to end suffering and pain of a patients terminal illness or injury. In two states physician assisted suicide is legal. The difference between euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide is in euthanasia – the healthcare provider actually does end the patients’ life. In physician-assisted suicide – the physician provides the patients with the means to perform the suicide themselves. Ethically, many principles need to be considered when options of euthanasia arise. Firstly, it is illegal in the United States, and secondly, it is considered against many ethical codes for a healthcare professional or provider to end life. The principles of non-maleficence, beneficence, and autonomy are three primary principles considered when the end of life for the patient is approaching. Healthcare professionals and healthcare providers should consider their state regulatory board limitations of practice and also code of ethics before allowing or assisting in euthanasia of patients despite their request. An analysis of ethical principles with respect to euthanasia of patients reveals that healthcare professionals and healthcare providers have to maintain nonmaleficence, beneficence and respect autonomy when making decisions and recommendations to their patients and their care.
The topic of voluntary/assisted euthanasia has been a highly debated issue for some time now. With cases such as Terry Schiavo case and Dax case, it brings to the forefront the moral and ethical issues associated with voluntary/assisted euthanasia. In the Terry Schiavo case, she did not have the ability to verbalize and otherwise communicate her desires as far as life sustaining wishes. Dax, on the other hand, had the ability to communicate and verbalized several times the desire to die. In both cases autonomy was taken away from the individual and placed in the hands of
References: Carpenter, K. (Director). (n.d.). The Terry Schiavo Story [Motion Picture]. Retrieved May 17, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cki55BM42kw Dax 's Case (n.d.). [Motion Picture]. Retrieved May 17, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsxaaMbZMtA&feature=related Grand Canyon University. (2013). Ethical Theories and Principles in Health Care. Retrieved from gcu.edu Purtilo, R., & Dohorty, R. (n.d.). Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions (Fifth ed.). Elsevier Saunders. Retrieved May 11, 2013, from http://evolve.elsevier.com State-by-State Guide to Physician-Assisted Suicide - Euthanasia - ProCon.org. (2012). Euthanasia – ProCon.org. Retrieved May 18, 2013, From http://euthanasia.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000132 Youtube. (2011). Dax Case 1. Retrieved from youtube.com