Arguments Against Physician Assisted Suicide
EUTHANASIA/PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE
I. INTRODUCTION 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. The primary focus of conflict with regard to physician-assisted suicide is whether or not it is ethically sound. To determine what is ethically sound, however, one must first define the meaning of ethics. This may appear …show more content…
This basis is essential if the patient is to feel as though he or she is not abandoning all responsibility toward the family. However, this is not to say that the decision to end one 's life does not come without significant shock and sadness; indeed, while family members can be supportive and understanding on the one hand, this does not preclude them from also being extremely shaken and mournful on the other. There is quite a lot to be taken into consideration when endorsing a loved one 's euthanasia request; however, the ultimate decision is to always and ultimately rest with the terminally ill patient (Kowalski
I. INTRODUCTION 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. The primary focus of conflict with regard to physician-assisted suicide is whether or not it is ethically sound. To determine what is ethically sound, however, one must first define the meaning of ethics. This may appear …show more content…
This basis is essential if the patient is to feel as though he or she is not abandoning all responsibility toward the family. However, this is not to say that the decision to end one 's life does not come without significant shock and sadness; indeed, while family members can be supportive and understanding on the one hand, this does not preclude them from also being extremely shaken and mournful on the other. There is quite a lot to be taken into consideration when endorsing a loved one 's euthanasia request; however, the ultimate decision is to always and ultimately rest with the terminally ill patient (Kowalski