Preview

Euthanasia and Ethical Dilemma

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1107 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Euthanasia and Ethical Dilemma
Hira Abad 11 May 2009

Euthanasia-An Ethical Dilemma Death is nothing new, it has existed for thousands of years. Lately, we are forced to rethink the issue of death and we must decide what types of practices and behavior are ethical when someone is dying. One such practice-which has posed a moral and ethical dilemma for the society- is euthanasia. Euthanasia or "mercy killing" is the act of killing a person, who is ill and in great distress, without the hope of recovery in spite of all the medical advancements, and is killed to relieve him of his misery in a painless manner.(Vidyut Jain) One of the main reasons that the debate about euthanasia has been so hotly contested is because it challenges the values of people. The main value that is attached with euthanasia is that of individual rights or to be more specific, the right to dignified death. Active euthanasia (where the physician agrees to give the patient a lethal injection) allows a person to die while he is still at peace and has respect for his life. Life for the sake of life, has no value in itself. (LeBaron 7) If the state were not to make the practice of active euthanasia legal, it would violate the value of individual 's right to dignified death, thus making the individual go through a state of more pain and suffering. Keeping this in mind, the state ought to realize that the quality of life is more important than the value of life itself. Furthermore, the value of the individual 's right to dignified death would actually lead towards the progress of humanity. This is because, a person who 's life is entirely dependent on life support systems is actually taking up valuable time of physicians and resources. Thus, if he does wish to die, it would actually be beneficial for those people who have a chance of getting cured if they were to be granted proper medical attention and resources.
In addition, if the state were to treat this as a supreme value, it could lead to yet


Cited: Lebaron Jr, Garn The Ethics of Euthanasia. 2 August 1999 < http://www.quantonics.com > Jain, Vidyut Euthanasia and the Value of Life. 22 March 2009 < http://www.groundreport.com/Health_and_Science/Euthanasia-and-the-Value-of-Life> Rosen, B. Ethics Companion. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. 1990 Adams, R., et. al. Physician Assisted Suicide and the Right to Die with Assistance. Harvard Law Review 105:2021-2040. 1992
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Analysis of Philippa Foot's Article on Euthanasia
    • 1384 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Analysis of Philippa Foot's Article on Euthanasia

    Euthanasia as defined by the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary is a quiet and easy death. One may wonder, is there such a thing as a quiet and easy death? This is one point that I will discuss in my paper, however the question that my paper will answer is; should active euthanasia be legalized? First, I will look at Philippa Foot's article on Euthanasia and discuss my opinions on it. Second, I will look at James Rachel's article on active and passive euthanasia and discuss why I agree with his argument. Finally, I will conclude by saying that while the legalizing of active euthanasia would benefit many people, it would hurt too many, thus I believe that it should not be legalized.…

    • 1384 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Is Euthanasia Ethically Wrong
    • 1537 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Is Euthanasia Ethically Wrong

    Living is more valuable than dying and threatening to diminish the value of life is dangerous. Euthanasia, also called mercy killing, is the practice of doctors intentionally ending a terminally ill patient’s life in what is purportedly a gentle and dignified manner. The term originated in ancient Greek and means “easy death.” Doctors perform euthanasia by administering lethal drugs or by withholding treatment that would prolong the patient’s life. Physician-assisted suicide is also a form of euthanasia, but the difference between the two methods is that in euthanasia, doctors end the patient’s life with lethal injections, whereas, in physician-assisted suicide, patients kill themselves with a lethal amount of drugs prescribed by the doctors.…

    • 1537 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Benefits Of Physician Assisted Suicide
    • 131 Words
    • 1 Page

    Benefits Of Physician Assisted Suicide

    In conclusion, if a terminal patient lives in steady anguish, he or she should not be forbidden to peacefully end his or her life with a doctor’s aid. Living in pain and practically waiting for death to arrive is not the way a human should spend their last couple months of life. Citizens with an incurable disease that progressively worsens should be able to die with dignity. If not these patients will spend their last days with complete misery and worry that death is not near enough. States throughout the country and the government need to revise their beliefs about an assisted death and consider the amount of benefits it provides life-threatening patients. Overall, Physician-assisted suicide should be an option for patients in more than…

    • 131 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Arguments Against Physician Assisted Suicide
    • 2793 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Arguments Against Physician Assisted Suicide

    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.…

    • 2793 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Euthanasia Ethical Dilemma
    • 2102 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Euthanasia Ethical Dilemma

    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

    Physician Assisted Suicide Research Paper
    • 1112 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Physician Assisted Suicide Research Paper

    The right to physician-assisted suicide is a very controversial topic that concerns many people all over the world. There has been much debate about whether a terminally ill patient has the right to die with the assistance of a physician. Physician-assisted suicide is defined as a physician providing a patient with means to kill themselves. The doctor would prescribe a lethal dose of medication to the patient to end their life. From the Utilitarian standpoint, physician-assisted suicide is morally acceptable because the patients should be allowed to end there suffering, reduce the damaging financial…

    • 1112 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Pro Euthanasia Argument in Mla Format
    • 1807 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Pro Euthanasia Argument in Mla Format

    In the United States, active euthanasia is currently banned, with the exception of the state of Oregon. “Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act (DWDA), which was enacted in late 1997, allows terminally-ill adult Oregonians to obtain and use prescriptions from their physicians for self-administered, lethal doses of medications” (Death With Dignity Act). It would appear to be an easy assumption that most people in the United States believe that ending the life of a human being who is alert and able to communicate is morally wrong, though most likely is suffering and experiencing a lesser quality of life because of that; for example, a patient who is suffering from a terminally ill disease like Lou Gehrig’s disease, cancer and multiple sclerosis. With a closer examination of the facts, however, might lead to an extreme change in the opinions of even the strongest supporters of anti-euthanasia.…

    • 1807 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Euthanasia And Physician Assisted Suicide
    • 1193 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Euthanasia And Physician Assisted Suicide

    This argument needs to be settled so people can either go through the process or not even have the option. If patients cannot obtain euthanasia then there needs to be more ways that will ensure patients less pain and suffering for them. IN the future, hopefully the Unites States will legalize euthanasia or find a better alternative than euthanasia that will allow patients to die with dignity. People of the United States and all over the world cannot live in fear of what might be right or might be wrong, chances need to be taken to understand and develop more. To end with is a quotes from “Doctor Death, Jack Kevorkian, and “My ultimate aim is to make euthanasia a positive experience.” (Euthanasia…

    • 1193 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Arguments Against Euthanasia And Physician Assisted Suicide
    • 915 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Arguments Against Euthanasia And Physician Assisted Suicide

    People who are fatally sick should be able to die with dignity . For some, choosing their death is the last act of independence they can take since it can get to the point where controlling their own body is not an option anymore. Not being able to eat, use the bathroom or even the do simplest task as breathing can be frustrating and depressing. Being able to say no to all the suffering is the last grasp at willpower that they can have. “I Pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America. And to the republic, for which it stands, one nation under God. Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” (Francis) . Those who are suffering do not get the justice to chose over their life. The patients do not have the liberty to pursue their own happiness (Pledge)…

    • 915 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Utilitarianism and Euthanasia
    • 1031 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Utilitarianism and Euthanasia

    The moral issue that I will discuss about is Euthanasia. Euthanasia simplu means bringing the death of another for the benefit of that person and also known as mercy killing. “When a person carries out an act of euthanasia, he brings about the death of another person because he believes the latter's present existence is so bad that she would be better off dead, or believes that unless he intervenes and ends her life, it will become so bad that she would be better off dead” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). There are two forms of euthanasia; voluntary and non-voluntary. Voluntary euthanasia means if it’s coming from the patient him or herself. Non - voluntary means a family member making the decision for the patient. In an active euthanasia which is illegal, it is saying that you are performing direct action to take someone’s life. In a passive euthanasia which is legal, it is allowing someone to die by not performing some life sustaining action. What does euthanasia has to do with morality? My morality behind euthanasia is that euthanasia should be the right to die for patients who are intensely ill. Euthanasia is natural in a way because in real life, there is a matter of life and death. It is natural for people to live but death is also part of nature. No one can live forever, and since euthanasia is performed on people facing serious illness and facing death. Euthanasia seems to understand the course of nature and its ways by letting the patient wish be fulfilled and let them die in peace instead of suffering in pain.…

    • 1031 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Essay on Assisted Suicide
    • 2342 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Essay on Assisted Suicide

    [ 4 ]. S. Frileux, C. Lelièvre, M. T. Muñoz Sastre, E. Mullet and P. C. Sorum, . "When is Physician Assisted Suicide or Euthanasia Acceptable?." Journal Of Medical Ethics. 29. no. 6 (2003): 330-336.…

    • 2342 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Persuasive Essay On Right To Die
    • 1730 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Persuasive Essay On Right To Die

    The effects of an illness can be unbearable for a person who has lived a life full of vitality. When a patient is told that they only have a certain amount of time left to live, can be unsettling to many. Having the right to die should be a choice given to ill patients, to prevent from suffering for long or short periods of time. A person should not have to suffer if they are competent to make the decision to end their life. During the dying process many effects of the illness can take place, causing discomfort to the person. According to a study done…

    • 1730 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful 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

    Morals of Euthanasia
    • 1529 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Morals of Euthanasia

    Euthanasia is the act of purposely making or helping someone die, instead of allowing nature to take its course. Basically, euthanasia means killing in the name of compassion. Often surrounded by heated arguments from both those in favor of and those against the practice, human euthanasia spurs the most conflict within political circles, differing cultural and religious attitudes, and the health care system. I will be defending Tom L. Beauchamp’s theory that euthanasia is ethically moral and sometimes permissible.…

    • 1529 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Persuasive Essay On Right To Die
    • 1440 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Persuasive Essay On Right To Die

    Therefore, anyone who faces a terminal illness should be afforded the “right to die” (Sanburn 50) in a manner they choose to if they wish to put an end to their pain and it should not mean that, the person seeking that end should die alone. Furthermore, it is difficult to imagine a person desperate enough to…

    • 1440 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More