Involuntary Euthanasia of Defective Newborns
Involuntary Euthanasia of Defective Newborns
Involuntary Euthanasia of Defective Newborns, just the very sound of that statement causes many people to assume that the taboo is something that could never happen under the circumstance. Some people do not take euthanasia seriously and make jokes like, “Euthanasia! Is that a bunch of young children in Asia!” and still, maybe the worst of all, there are many other people that at the mention of euthanasia have no idea whatsoever what it is or its effects on people. The fact of the matter is that the involuntary euthanasia of defective newborns is happening and not only in the United States but all over the world need to be aware of this problem and not in the dark about this very important yet controversial subject. Although not very many studies have been done on this issue, it is ever growing and a much larger problem than anyone really realize. Just to give a small example of the seriousness of this situation, The Economist in on April 2009 article reported that a London University study reported that one in every three hundred deaths are involuntary euthanizations.
The controversy behind euthanasia defective newborns is very complex and combated as well as supported by many different arguments. While there are many arguments for and against the subject, there are definitely same that stand out above the rest. First, many believe that if any decisions are to be made about any newborns, defective or not, should be made by the child’s parents or guardian. Next, several doctors as well as others who have read the Hippocratic Oath believe no doctor that has taken the oath can euthanize due to the contradiction it causes. Finally if you look at the problem from an ethical stand point it can go one of two ways which complete my points. On one hand you can say that euthanizing the newborns is wrong because you are taking the lives of the newborns. On the other hand doctors see their actions as more of an act of mercy
Involuntary Euthanasia of Defective Newborns, just the very sound of that statement causes many people to assume that the taboo is something that could never happen under the circumstance. Some people do not take euthanasia seriously and make jokes like, “Euthanasia! Is that a bunch of young children in Asia!” and still, maybe the worst of all, there are many other people that at the mention of euthanasia have no idea whatsoever what it is or its effects on people. The fact of the matter is that the involuntary euthanasia of defective newborns is happening and not only in the United States but all over the world need to be aware of this problem and not in the dark about this very important yet controversial subject. Although not very many studies have been done on this issue, it is ever growing and a much larger problem than anyone really realize. Just to give a small example of the seriousness of this situation, The Economist in on April 2009 article reported that a London University study reported that one in every three hundred deaths are involuntary euthanizations.
The controversy behind euthanasia defective newborns is very complex and combated as well as supported by many different arguments. While there are many arguments for and against the subject, there are definitely same that stand out above the rest. First, many believe that if any decisions are to be made about any newborns, defective or not, should be made by the child’s parents or guardian. Next, several doctors as well as others who have read the Hippocratic Oath believe no doctor that has taken the oath can euthanize due to the contradiction it causes. Finally if you look at the problem from an ethical stand point it can go one of two ways which complete my points. On one hand you can say that euthanizing the newborns is wrong because you are taking the lives of the newborns. On the other hand doctors see their actions as more of an act of mercy
Bibliography: Britton, John R. " 'Baby Doe ' Rulings Review and Comment." Western Journal of Medicine Feb. 1984: 1-5. National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Web. . Quezon, Manuel L. "Medicine: The Right to Kill." Time 18 Nov. 1935: 1. Web. . Fost, Norman. "Treatment of Critically Ill Newborns." 1-11.The Journal of the American Medical Association.Web. Jan. 1986. . Charlemagne: The Great Euthanasia Debate | The Economist." The Economist - World News, Politics, Economics, Business & Finance. Web. 01 May 2011. .