To some which may seem as “taking the easy way out”, it seems to be an even harsher decision to leave their love ones behind. Yet, they act and look happy when they are at the point of consuming the drug that will enable them to “end” their lives in a more humane matter. I believe that the death with dignity is a much better way to end one’s life rather than have to wait in pain from either old age of from an illness that cannot be treated. I personally applauded the one woman from the film, whose husband passed away without being able to have a dignified death, to change the law in Washington. Although many people were against it and did not seem to try and learn more about this program, she was able to complete her husband’s last request.
Consider a person with an incurable illness or severe debility such that life has become so racked with pain or so burdensome that desirable, meaningful, purposeful existence has ceased. In ancient days, assisted suicide was frequently seen as a way to preserve one’s honor. “For the past twenty-five years, on the other hand, the practice has been viewed as a response to the progress of modern medicine” (McDougall, 2008). New and often costly medical technologies have been developed that extend life. Nevertheless, the technologies also prolong the dying processes, leading some people to question whether modern medicine is forcing patients to live in unnecessary pain when there is no chance they will be cured.
Duffy’s thesis is well written and supported throughout the paper. Duffy then presents the opposing argument: hospitals are not empowered to prescribe the amount of pain medication necessary without putting itself at risk of a malpractice lawsuit. He goes on to say that this procedure is cruel treatment and the hospitals should have the option of stopping life support. Next he uses the example of his aunt, who was diagnosed with cancer. Although she tried every kind of treatment available to her, everything was ineffective and she ended up in a hospice center where was was able to avoid a drawn out painful demise.
From Steven Ertelt’s article, we knew that Ewart said, if he chose to live, he would suffer illness, but it did not mean he could cure the disease and have a new life (2008). Patients suffer grievous pain, and those who want to live, have to suffer through the horrible illness. But if there is no hope, and these patients choose to do euthanasia, relief is instantaneous. In addition, people would love to live with happiness. Imagine that your life is filled with pain.
Treatments such as medications, surgical procedures, psychotherapy and in some instances spiritual guidance and so on. Ending one’s life should not be performed simply because a patient is depressed, or feels as though he or she is a burden, worried about being dependant or just tired of life. Diversity in the United States is among the greatest in the developed world, because of this- it’s difficult to share norms and enforce them. In some cultures and religions taking one’s life is unacceptable and forbidden and in others so long as there is justification then and only then would it be considered just. Assisted suicide is currently illegal in most states in the United States.
The Dangers of Assisted Suicide “Advocates of physician assisted suicide try to convey the impression that in terminally ill patients the wish to die is totally different from suicidal intent in those without terminal illness” (Herbert and Klerman 118.) Physician assisted suicide is when a physician assists their patient in dying upon their request. In some states there are laws giving limitations to who can request such a “procedure,“ but these laws are not enough to prevent the dangers of assisted suicide. Assisted suicide should be illegal in all fifty states because it is immoral, dangerous to society, and can lead to the deaths of millions of depressed people. “Critics of physician assisted suicide believe that doctors like Jack Kevorkian are doing nothing less than playing God“ (Gay 47.)
Euthanasia opponent always claims that doctors have the duty to help the patient to continue alive even depending on machines only. Otherwise, it is murder. This is ridicules. First, is life-sustaining treatment or artificial feeding methods really “helping” the patients? Can these kinds of treatment really get patient and their families out of suffering as well as give hope?
• Active euthanasia – A doctor or a nurse gives an ill patient medicine that will kill them. Not all doctors agree with this as they feel that participating in the ending of someone’s life is not part of their job role. • Passive euthanasia – A patient does not get the medicine or treatment that they need in order to stay alive. It can also be classified as: • Voluntary euthanasia – where a person makes a conscious decision to die and asks for help to do this. • Non – voluntary euthanasia – where a person is unable to give their consent for example if they are severely brain damaged, and another person makes the decision on their behalf.
In contrast, involuntary euthanasia refers to ending one’s life that openly expresses their wish to die and requests other individuals to end their lives. [2] Euthanasia is currently illegal in many countries, including Canada. It has been recently legalized in some cities such as Oregon, Washington, Montana, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Euthanasia should remain illegal because it takes away hope from the patients to get through their diseases, it creates conflicts between religious groups and it could be used for ulterior motives. If euthanasia becomes legal, it would be a treatment option for the terminally sick ones.
The case could then be turned into that of homicide. The Arguments I believe that everyone should have the right to their own death whenever they feel they need or deserve it. If a certain individual feels that they would be miserable for the rest of their life after being paralyzed below the waist, and they request to be euthanized, who are we to deny them? So far, only two states have legalized physician-assisted suicide: Oregon and Washington. Their rules to receive this death is that the patient must provide two verbal requests and one written request to their health care provider.