Research Paper on Euthanasia
Research Paper on Euthanasia
Paper Presented to
Professor
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction…………………………………………………………..1
Eight Arguments to Consider…………………………………………2
The Right to Die………………………………………………………2
Patient Suffering……………………………………………………....3
Slippery Slope to Legalized Murder…………………………………..4
Hippocratic Oath and Prohibition of Killing………………………….5
Government Involvement……………………………………………..5
Palliative Care………………………………………………………...6
Healthcare Spending Implications…………………………………….7
Value of Life…………………………………………………………..7
Conclusion…………………………………………………………….8
Works Cited…………………………………………………………..9
EUTHANASIA - The Right to Choose or a Slippery Slope
INTRODUCTION
One of the most hotly debated ethical issue of our time is one of Euthanasia. Euthanasia comes from the Greek words “Eu”, meaning well or easy, and “Thanatos”, meaning death. In modern terms it is the intentional premature termination of another’s life by direct intervention or by withholding care.[1] Within that it can be either voluntary (expressed or implied consent), or involuntary. The two sides of this debate are the rights of an individual to decide when he or she is to die, or the sanctity of life and the states responsibility to protect people.
On the Pro-Euthanasia side there are numerous groups such as the Hemlock Society founded by Derek Humphry, and the Final Exit Network which work to change legislation and give individuals the right to decide how and when they will end their lives. They believe that the rights of the individual are absolute and that the state should not force one to live when they are terminally ill or in a state of constant pain and do not wish to continue living. Currently euthanasia is only legal in Oregon, Washington, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
Those who don’t believe in euthanasia have formed groups such as the Nightengale Alliance, CURE (Citizen’s United
Paper Presented to
Professor
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction…………………………………………………………..1
Eight Arguments to Consider…………………………………………2
The Right to Die………………………………………………………2
Patient Suffering……………………………………………………....3
Slippery Slope to Legalized Murder…………………………………..4
Hippocratic Oath and Prohibition of Killing………………………….5
Government Involvement……………………………………………..5
Palliative Care………………………………………………………...6
Healthcare Spending Implications…………………………………….7
Value of Life…………………………………………………………..7
Conclusion…………………………………………………………….8
Works Cited…………………………………………………………..9
EUTHANASIA - The Right to Choose or a Slippery Slope
INTRODUCTION
One of the most hotly debated ethical issue of our time is one of Euthanasia. Euthanasia comes from the Greek words “Eu”, meaning well or easy, and “Thanatos”, meaning death. In modern terms it is the intentional premature termination of another’s life by direct intervention or by withholding care.[1] Within that it can be either voluntary (expressed or implied consent), or involuntary. The two sides of this debate are the rights of an individual to decide when he or she is to die, or the sanctity of life and the states responsibility to protect people.
On the Pro-Euthanasia side there are numerous groups such as the Hemlock Society founded by Derek Humphry, and the Final Exit Network which work to change legislation and give individuals the right to decide how and when they will end their lives. They believe that the rights of the individual are absolute and that the state should not force one to live when they are terminally ill or in a state of constant pain and do not wish to continue living. Currently euthanasia is only legal in Oregon, Washington, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
Those who don’t believe in euthanasia have formed groups such as the Nightengale Alliance, CURE (Citizen’s United