Euthanasia
Running head: Euthanasia
Euthanasia: Perspectives on the Issue
Angela Long
Irina Fonaryuk
Nancy Zoro
Suzanne Bridges
Dawn Drury
Lillian Amador
Talia Reed
Pacific Lutheran University
Table of Contents ❖ Introduction Page 3 ❖ History of Euthanasia Page 3 ❖ Legal Aspects of Euthanasia Page 5 ❖ Pros Page 7 o Self-Determination, Individual Autonomy and Quality of Life Page 7 o Preservation of Dignity Page 7 o Social and Legal Arguments Page 8 o Changing Professional Attitudes Page 9 ❖ Cons Page 9 o Religious Perspectives Page 10 o ANA Position on Euthanasia Page 10
o Slippery slope Page 11
o Euthanasia as a health care cost containment Page 12 ❖ Nursing Implications of Euthanasia Page 12 o As a Profession Page 12 o Nursing Education Page 13 o Nurse as an Individual Page 14 ❖ Conclusion Page 14
Euthanasia: Perspectives on the Issue The debate over euthanasia and physician assisted suicide is a multifaceted issue that surges throughout political, religious, and social circles. Currently in the United States, physician assisted suicide is only legal in Washington and Oregon states. It is crucial that nurses understand the various aspects of this topic, and are able to formulate an educated opinion on the issue. This paper will examine the various aspects of euthanasia, including pros, cons, and nursing implications, in order to assist student nurses in formulating their own opinions on this highly charged topic. In order to examine this issue, it is first necessary to define its various aspects. Passive, or inactive, euthanasia involves stopping life support, or ending life-promoting treatments (such as dialysis or
Euthanasia: Perspectives on the Issue
Angela Long
Irina Fonaryuk
Nancy Zoro
Suzanne Bridges
Dawn Drury
Lillian Amador
Talia Reed
Pacific Lutheran University
Table of Contents ❖ Introduction Page 3 ❖ History of Euthanasia Page 3 ❖ Legal Aspects of Euthanasia Page 5 ❖ Pros Page 7 o Self-Determination, Individual Autonomy and Quality of Life Page 7 o Preservation of Dignity Page 7 o Social and Legal Arguments Page 8 o Changing Professional Attitudes Page 9 ❖ Cons Page 9 o Religious Perspectives Page 10 o ANA Position on Euthanasia Page 10
o Slippery slope Page 11
o Euthanasia as a health care cost containment Page 12 ❖ Nursing Implications of Euthanasia Page 12 o As a Profession Page 12 o Nursing Education Page 13 o Nurse as an Individual Page 14 ❖ Conclusion Page 14
Euthanasia: Perspectives on the Issue The debate over euthanasia and physician assisted suicide is a multifaceted issue that surges throughout political, religious, and social circles. Currently in the United States, physician assisted suicide is only legal in Washington and Oregon states. It is crucial that nurses understand the various aspects of this topic, and are able to formulate an educated opinion on the issue. This paper will examine the various aspects of euthanasia, including pros, cons, and nursing implications, in order to assist student nurses in formulating their own opinions on this highly charged topic. In order to examine this issue, it is first necessary to define its various aspects. Passive, or inactive, euthanasia involves stopping life support, or ending life-promoting treatments (such as dialysis or
References: Coogan, M. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. (2001). 3rd Edition Oxford University. Department of Human Services. Death with Dignity Act. Oregon.gov. Retrieved November 1, 2008, from http://oregon.gov/dhs/ph/pas Dieterle, J. (2007). Physician Assisted Suicide: A New Look At The Arguments. Journal of Bioethics, 21(3), 127-139. Retrieved on October 28, 2008 from Ebsco Host http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.plu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=12&hid=113&sid=db34d12e-87c0-4b85-8ebe-9ee1a1201871%40sessionmgr107 Retrieved October 29, 2008. From http://www.plu.edu/library Emanuel, E Britain. Annals of Internal Medicine. Retrieved October 29th, 2008, from http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/121/10/793 Euthanasia Research and Guidance Organization. (n.d.) Retrieved October 26th, 2008, from www.finalexit.org The History Place. (1996). World War II in Europe: Nazi Euthanasia. http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/euthanasia.htm Hoskins, S. A., (2005). Nurses and national socialism- a moral dilemma: one historical example of a route to socialism October 28, 2008, from www.cinahl.com/cgi-bin/refsvc?jid=863&accno=2005069939 Kass, L. Neither For Love Nor Money: Why Doctors Must Not Kill. (1989).Public Interest, 94 Lester, D. and Yang, B. (2007). Recalculating The Economic Cost of Suicide, Journal of Death Studies, 31(4), 351-361 Longwood University. (2002). Doctor-Assisted Suicide: A Guide to Web Sites and the Literature 20(1), 37. Retrieved on October 28, 2008 from ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source Periodical Retrieved November 5, 2008, from http://www.relitioustolerance.org/euthanas.htm Rose, T Perspectives. Journal of Nursing Law, 11(3), 141-151. Retrieved on October 28, 2008 from ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1385772481&sid=4&Fmt=2&clientId=9255&RQT=309&VName=PQD Springer, D. (2008, July 28). Oregon offers terminal patients doctor-assisted suicide instead of medical care. Fox news.com Westendorf, J. Historical Look at Euthanasia(2008). Wisconsin Lutheran College Retrieved October 25th, 2008, from www.worldrtd.net/taxonomy/vocabulary/6 Lillian’s sources: Sent to me on November 25, 2008 @ 1:45 a.m. Derek Humphry (November 2000). Derek Humphry: Journalist, Author and Euthanasia Campaigner. Retrieved November 8, 2008 from URL http://www.finalexit.org/dhumphry/bioframe.html Derek Humphry (2000)