Why Do Some States Allow The Right To Die
Right to Die
PSYCH/500
September 16, 2013
Karen Underwood
Right to Die When an individual decides that he or she no long want to live because of death soon to be or a serious illness some states will allow the right to die. The right to die does not mean they will just give up on life and passed but is assisted in some way, which could be assistance from a doctor. Throughout this essay I will cover what the right to die means, what states allow and do not allow and what is used to assist in the right to die.
Have you ever just felt like you wanted to die? All because you were just too tired, you broke up with your significant other or you are just too stressed to continue. Individuals dying of cancer, or are terminally ill some are scared to die whereas others just wish it was over so they were not in any more pain. I have chosen the “Right to Die” topic. My reasoning for choosing this topic is for two reasons: First I have always found this topic to be fairly interesting, and know of it but not a lot. Second I am a person who is scared of death so I am hoping that it will give me a little more understanding as to why someone would want this for his or herself. …show more content…
States that Allow Right to Die There are only four states that allow the right to die law in the United States.
Those states are Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Vermont. In Montana, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington the individual who is requesting to put an end to his or her life must be sound mind when requesting this service and must be confirmed by a doctor or
witnesses. It was in 1994 when Oregon passed a ballot called Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. This was the first state to grant medications to terminally ill, mentally competent patients to end life in a humane and dignified manner (Lee, 2013). In 2008 Washington State was the second state to take the step just like Oregon. In 2009 Montana became the third state to follow Oregon and Washington (Lee, 2013).
Countries that Allow Right to Die The Netherlands legalized the right to die in 2001. The Netherlands is not like the United States there are certain exceptions to the right to die. An individual must be unbearable and hopeless, meaning suffering. If an individual is not experience either one of these symptoms it is illegal to conduct the right to die (Patients Rights, 2013). Quebec City adopted the right to die legation in Canada. This law allows right to die by medical assisted death (StarTribune, 2013). Throughout Canada assisted suicide and euthanasia are currently illegal.
What is Right to Die? The right to die is when an individual has the legal right to die and chose how he or she wants to die. This can be done in states and countries that legally allow this to be done. There are different ways the individual can die. Two of the types are euthanasia ad assisted suicide. Individuals cannot just say I want to die and do these to me now; there are certain terms to qualify for the right to die, and one of them being terminally ill.
Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
Assisted suicide is the same thing as suicide but is doing by someone else. This someone else is a doctor who uses a lethal dose of medication that will end the life of an individual (Merriam Webster, 2012).
Euthanasia is a lethal dose of medication that will put an individual to sleep and stop the heart, which will end the life to that particular individual. There are two classifications of euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia, which is up to the individual which meets the requirements for the right to die. This individual would ask for this type of procedure to be done to end his or her life. Involuntary euthanasia is made by another person only because the individual is not able to make the decision for him or herself (MNT, 2010).
Controversy
The right to die can be a huge controversy to individuals. Is it right or wrong to allow someone to make the choice for his or herself to end his or her life? The right to die is suicide and should be illegal. We see all of this with this topic, it can be based on the individual’s belief, but it is genuine down to the individual who is suffering and whether or not it is legal in his or her state.
Many believe that responsibility of us to decide whether or not life can be taken but is only up to God himself. Right to die euthanasia and assisted suicide to many is considered murder because we are killing an individual. Others also believe that if an individual is suffering from an illness it is God’s way of punishing them.
While others try to completely disagree with the opposite side, and say if that everyone has the right to live or die if she or she chooses to, especially if someone is terminally ill, is suffering, in massive amounts of pain and treatment is not working end it.
Final Thoughts
I am a person who is scare of death, after putting together this essay I have a change of thought on this topic. If I were in a position which I was dying and in pain with suffering I would ask to euthanize. I believe that right to die should be legal in all state and countries. If treatment is not working, and the individual is suffering and is in pain he or she should have the choice to end his or her agony.
Many individuals will have his or her personal thoughts and beliefs’ regarding what is right or wrong. All states can do is try to pass these laws to what may “help” and individual who is suffering.
References
Lee, Barbara (2013). Life, liberty and the right to die: Column; retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/04/02/doctor-assisted-suicide-column/2043773/ Merriam Webster (2012). Assisted Suicide; retrieved from http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/assisted%20suicide Medical News Today (2010). What is Euthanasia; retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/182951.php
Patients Rights Council (2013). Background about Euthanasia in The Netherlands; retrieved from http://www.patientsrightscouncil.org/site/holland-background/
StarTribune (2013). Quebec could become first province of Canada with right-to-die law; Retrieved from http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/211225831.html
PSYCH/500
September 16, 2013
Karen Underwood
Right to Die When an individual decides that he or she no long want to live because of death soon to be or a serious illness some states will allow the right to die. The right to die does not mean they will just give up on life and passed but is assisted in some way, which could be assistance from a doctor. Throughout this essay I will cover what the right to die means, what states allow and do not allow and what is used to assist in the right to die.
Have you ever just felt like you wanted to die? All because you were just too tired, you broke up with your significant other or you are just too stressed to continue. Individuals dying of cancer, or are terminally ill some are scared to die whereas others just wish it was over so they were not in any more pain. I have chosen the “Right to Die” topic. My reasoning for choosing this topic is for two reasons: First I have always found this topic to be fairly interesting, and know of it but not a lot. Second I am a person who is scared of death so I am hoping that it will give me a little more understanding as to why someone would want this for his or herself. …show more content…
States that Allow Right to Die There are only four states that allow the right to die law in the United States.
Those states are Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Vermont. In Montana, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington the individual who is requesting to put an end to his or her life must be sound mind when requesting this service and must be confirmed by a doctor or
witnesses. It was in 1994 when Oregon passed a ballot called Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. This was the first state to grant medications to terminally ill, mentally competent patients to end life in a humane and dignified manner (Lee, 2013). In 2008 Washington State was the second state to take the step just like Oregon. In 2009 Montana became the third state to follow Oregon and Washington (Lee, 2013).
Countries that Allow Right to Die The Netherlands legalized the right to die in 2001. The Netherlands is not like the United States there are certain exceptions to the right to die. An individual must be unbearable and hopeless, meaning suffering. If an individual is not experience either one of these symptoms it is illegal to conduct the right to die (Patients Rights, 2013). Quebec City adopted the right to die legation in Canada. This law allows right to die by medical assisted death (StarTribune, 2013). Throughout Canada assisted suicide and euthanasia are currently illegal.
What is Right to Die? The right to die is when an individual has the legal right to die and chose how he or she wants to die. This can be done in states and countries that legally allow this to be done. There are different ways the individual can die. Two of the types are euthanasia ad assisted suicide. Individuals cannot just say I want to die and do these to me now; there are certain terms to qualify for the right to die, and one of them being terminally ill.
Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
Assisted suicide is the same thing as suicide but is doing by someone else. This someone else is a doctor who uses a lethal dose of medication that will end the life of an individual (Merriam Webster, 2012).
Euthanasia is a lethal dose of medication that will put an individual to sleep and stop the heart, which will end the life to that particular individual. There are two classifications of euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia, which is up to the individual which meets the requirements for the right to die. This individual would ask for this type of procedure to be done to end his or her life. Involuntary euthanasia is made by another person only because the individual is not able to make the decision for him or herself (MNT, 2010).
Controversy
The right to die can be a huge controversy to individuals. Is it right or wrong to allow someone to make the choice for his or herself to end his or her life? The right to die is suicide and should be illegal. We see all of this with this topic, it can be based on the individual’s belief, but it is genuine down to the individual who is suffering and whether or not it is legal in his or her state.
Many believe that responsibility of us to decide whether or not life can be taken but is only up to God himself. Right to die euthanasia and assisted suicide to many is considered murder because we are killing an individual. Others also believe that if an individual is suffering from an illness it is God’s way of punishing them.
While others try to completely disagree with the opposite side, and say if that everyone has the right to live or die if she or she chooses to, especially if someone is terminally ill, is suffering, in massive amounts of pain and treatment is not working end it.
Final Thoughts
I am a person who is scare of death, after putting together this essay I have a change of thought on this topic. If I were in a position which I was dying and in pain with suffering I would ask to euthanize. I believe that right to die should be legal in all state and countries. If treatment is not working, and the individual is suffering and is in pain he or she should have the choice to end his or her agony.
Many individuals will have his or her personal thoughts and beliefs’ regarding what is right or wrong. All states can do is try to pass these laws to what may “help” and individual who is suffering.
References
Lee, Barbara (2013). Life, liberty and the right to die: Column; retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/04/02/doctor-assisted-suicide-column/2043773/ Merriam Webster (2012). Assisted Suicide; retrieved from http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/assisted%20suicide Medical News Today (2010). What is Euthanasia; retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/182951.php
Patients Rights Council (2013). Background about Euthanasia in The Netherlands; retrieved from http://www.patientsrightscouncil.org/site/holland-background/
StarTribune (2013). Quebec could become first province of Canada with right-to-die law; Retrieved from http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/211225831.html