Preview

Mercy Killing

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1858 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Mercy Killing
James Palmer

Jason Witt

Writing 2

November 11, 2010

Mercy killing is it justifiable?

There are many perspectives on the issue of mercy killing and if it’s justifiable. Mercy killing is the killing of another human being. As this issue is closely monitored we see that, euthanasia involves the ethics of doctor’s practices, and many other problems that may come up in this controversial issue. Three main perspectives are mercy killing is not justifiable for any reason, mercy killing is justifiable, and mercy killing is justifiable to a certain degree.
The mercy killing issue has been brought up in many articles. Some articles are pertaining to military personnel. Other articles are according to health circumstances. Also some information can be gathered throughout several cases in federal and lower courts. These articles seem to come more frequently though when wars appear. When the most recent wars, the Iraq and Afghanistan war came about there were several articles published about this very issue of mercy killing.
First of all, we see the different sides of the issue, as is related to mercy killing, euthanasia is one such word strongly used. Euthanasia is used to describe mercy killing it is interpreted by the following: “Euthanasia is the act of killing someone painlessly (someone suffering from incurable disease)” (Word net web Princeton). Involuntary euthanasia is “euthanasia conducted without the explicit consent of the individual concerned” (Word net web Princeton). The medical dictionary term for euthanasia is “the act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment”(Medical-Dictionary).
Mercy killing is a decision many people face today. Throughout the years there have been cases within the military with this very issue, and cases involving other people. Some of these cases that come up a lot involve


Cited: Albertson, Tory. "Counterpoint: Euthanasia: Mercy Killing or Murder?." Vanguard University of South Alabama (2010): 1. Web. 15 Nov 2010. . "Newspapers:Mercy Killing." Times 16 August 1966: 1-4. Web. 15 Nov 2010.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Of Mice And Men Lennie's Suffering
    • 628 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Of Mice And Men Lennie's Suffering

    Some may say that mercy killing is murder, and should not be done. People might say that mercy killing is not fair the victim has no say in whether they live or die. One article against euthanasia states “ the decision allows euthanasia and assisted suicides. but not also psychological suffering without limiting it to clear parameters.(Warren R.M)” Mercy killing is the most humane thing to do for a patient who is in a vegetative state. It would be unfair to make them suffer. “ choosing a pain free death demonstrates an act of love and compassion.(Preiss,…

    • 628 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    “With reference to the decisions of the Courts and Parliament discuss whether the government should change the law on assisted suicide and allow mercy killings in some circumstances.”
    • 1532 Words
    • 7 Pages

    “With reference to the decisions of the Courts and Parliament discuss whether the government should change the law on assisted suicide and allow mercy killings in some circumstances.”

    Many cases have been brought to court involving assisted suicide and mercy killings. People suffering from degenerative or terminal illnesses usually go to court in order to win a legal battle allowing them to end their own, however these people are usually incapable of physically ending their own life, and therefore aim to win the right to allow a relative or physician to assist them without them facing any legal charges afterwards, as under current law, anyone who assists someone is committing an offence. Court cases that concern mercy killings/involuntary euthanasia are usually involving the family of a patient who is unable to state whether or not they wish to end their own life, but it is usually the family or a doctor who believe that a mercy killing would be in the patients best interests as their quality of life is minimal.…

    • 1532 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    AnalysisofanEthicalDilemma
    • 652 Words
    • 2 Pages

    AnalysisofanEthicalDilemma

    In Oregon, Montana, Washington, and Vermont there are laws, which allow terminally ill patients, who have been diagnosed as having only six months to live, request physician assisted deaths by requesting lethal doses of medications. Some states such as Idaho, Massachusetts, Alabama, Nevada, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming have no laws that criminalize euthanasia or assisted suicide. In all other states, this is a crime equal to manslaughter and anyone who participates in the act will be subject to prosecution. (Humphry, 2013) There are several stakeholders in both of these cases. In the Terry Schiavo case, there is the patient, her family, her husband, her healthcare providers and the state. In the…

    • 652 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Mercy Killing In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men'
    • 1258 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Mercy Killing In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men'

    If a loved one is on life support, should you pull the plug? People have their own fate and that is what is set. In Of Mice and Men, author John Steinbeck depicts the fate of Lennie. But if they can’t control what is going to happen to them than a loved one takes the responsibility to choose whether they want to stop the treatment or keep them on the treatment and making them suffer . This is more of torture then caring for them and helping them. Mercy Killing is a justifiable solution, because it ends someone’s life that is either on the line or who’s ill and there is no way the will make it, meaning they don’t have to suffer.…

    • 1258 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Pros And Cons Of Euthanasia
    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Pros And Cons Of Euthanasia

    Euthanasia is another term for mercy killing. It is said to be the act of putting to death painlessly a person suffering from such incurable or painful disease. Meanwhile, in the 21st century it has been argued that euthanasia is one of the famous social concerns nowadays. Moreover, it is usually done by doctors to their patients who are terminally ill. Although euthanasia ends the suffering of the patients, it can damage the teachings of some religions, principle of medical ethics, and the patients trust.…

    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good 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
  • Powerful Essays

    State Health Laws on Physician Assisted Suicide
    • 2028 Words
    • 9 Pages

    State Health Laws on Physician Assisted Suicide

    For decades, the public, government, and physicians have been debating over the “Death with Dignity Act” or “Physician-Assisted Suicide.” It started back in the Ancient Greek and Rome time. The debate originated around the Hippocratic Oath and the condemnation of the practice. With the upsurge of Christianity, many physicians continued to condemn the practice. Within the last two centuries the public has spurned many discussions about Physician-assisted suicide and Euthanasia from many different historic perspectives (Procon.org, 2012). Although this debate has been lengthy and many of the issues discussed over the centuries are repetitive, new ideas and concerns do emerge with the current debate. What do you think when you here assisted suicide? Would you want your family member to suffer with an illness that has put them in so much pain that they cannot function? Personally, I would not want to see my family member suffer in pain while they are dying with no cure.…

    • 2028 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful 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
  • Good Essays

    Pro Mercy Death Ethical Issues
    • 415 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Pro Mercy Death Ethical Issues

    The idea of a merciful death is to allow someone who is terminally ill to take their death in their own hands. To die with dignity is to die without having to suffer the effects of some very hard debilitating terminal illnesses. I believe this a process that should be allowed for certain cases, and this issue is very ethically challenging. The ethical issue is that is it okay to allow someone to end their life legally. There are very good points on both sides of the great debate. Individuals that are pro mercy death understand that it needs to be regulated, and determined upon a case to case basis. Also these individuals understand that a patient’s case needs to be scrutinized, and evaluated before a determination is made. If someone is terminal…

    • 415 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Mandatory Euthanasia In Australia
    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Mandatory Euthanasia In Australia

    The word 'mercy' means 'compassion', yet combined with the term 'killing' becomes a juxtaposition of contrasting meanings. Such terms as these are very strong in the image they reflect, and perhaps the frequent use of them is what makes euthanasia even harder to comprehend and to be accepted as a legitimate…

    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Physician-Assisted Suicide: the Right to Die with Dignity
    • 3192 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Physician-Assisted Suicide: the Right to Die with Dignity

    One of the most controversial topics in society is physician-assisted suicide. The debate is endless in regards to human suffering. There is a solid argument in favor of physician-assisted suicide in terminally ill patients, who are experiencing unbearable pain and have little time left. Research shows that one who is terminally ill and going through excruciating pain has the right to make decisions regarding free choice and human dignity to end one’s life in a merciful way. Research on opposing arguments will show that physician-assisted suicide has negative psychological effects on the doctor along with being morally wrong to take the precious gift of life. Public attitude, education, perception, religious beliefs, family values, and freedom of choice all combine to make the decision of whether physician-assisted suicide is right or wrong, is murder or not murder, one that will truly never be clearly defined. This writer believes that all human beings have the right to be safe and free of pain when one is suffering from a terminal illness.…

    • 3192 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Arguments Against Euthanasia
    • 920 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Arguments Against Euthanasia

    Euthanasia the assisted killing of a terminal patient is a controversial topic that medical professionals cannot avoid. Many health professionals face the ethical dilemma of whether or not they should end a patient’s misery. Patient’s rights are always the top priority, doctors are taught to find every possible way to treat and cure the patient, but the possibility of the patient being irremediable to what extent is the health care professionals willing to go to give the patient their wishes?…

    • 920 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Assisted Suicide Arguments Against Euthanasia
    • 959 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Assisted Suicide Arguments Against Euthanasia

    In recent years, assisted suicide has become a rather controversial topic regarding whether or not a dying patient has the right to die with the assistance of a physician. While some are against it due to moral beliefs, others support it as a result of their respect for those suffering. However, physicians remain divided on the issue, being torn on the difference between relief from dying and murder. After analyzing the issue in depth, it is clear that terminally ill patients should be granted the right to assisted suicide in order to end their suffering, reduce financial burdens placed upon their families, and preserve the right of individuals to determine their own fate when facing death.…

    • 959 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

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

    Persuasive Essay On Right To Die

    Physician- assisted suicide is a controversial issue, which can revolve around whether it is right or wrong. Death can be expected or sudden. When a person becomes ill, treatment can be used to prolong the inevitable. Patients who are terminally ill should have options available for them to end their suffering. Physicians should play a part in assisting a patient with death if this is what the patient request. I will discuss why this should be legal, and look at both sides. Patients should have the right to die with dignity. Although this is a controversial issue, this is an endless debate on human suffering rights.…

    • 1730 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Visual Analysis: Euthanasia
    • 995 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Visual Analysis: Euthanasia

    Euthanasia has remained a heated debate among the pro-life and pro-choice community for several decades. Euthanasia is also known as assisted suicide as well as mercy killing. Those who support euthanasia argue that it allows a person to be put out of their misery; they believe that shortening a terminal patient’s pain and suffering is a final “act of mercy” (Medical News). Proponents of euthanasia allege that in the circumstance of having a terminally ill family member or friend, we should end their pain. Therefore, the “Euthanasia” image sends a panging feeling to the viewer’s conscience. The audience is left feeling uncomfortable, for the image leads them to feel liability for extending the pain of a terminally ill patient.…

    • 995 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics