Outline and comment upon arguments for and against legalising euthanasia. Euthanasia, a term that once meant ‘good death’ in the times of the Ancient Greeks, is now seen as a taboo subject which many struggle to speak about. Euthanasia was once a simple term for a ‘good death’ but now refers to a death that is deliberately brought about for humane reasons (Rachels, 1993). With advancements in medical and moral fields, euthanasia is now about so much more. It can be broken down into multiple categories which help to give clarity to what exact action is being conducted.
Should Euthanasia or Physician-Assisted Suicide Be Legal? Dion O. Hales SOC120 Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility Prof. Theodore Framan June 22, 2012 Should Euthanasia or Physician-Assisted Suicide Be Legal? While killing yourself is harder than having someone do it for you is that killing yourself requires firmer resolve, Should euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide be legal? Because a patient's last will and last testament should be honored, a competent patient's request to terminate life-sustaining treatment, and it is our moral right to prevent a person from suffering if they suffer from a disease we cannot cure. First, Should euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide be legal?
This issue is looked through many perspectives and arguments. Assisted Suicide 3 A case for assisted suicide is a powerful one, people that oppose any measures Permitting assisted suicide argue that society has a moral duty to protect and to preserve All life, to allow anyone to assist others in destroying their lives violates a fundamental Duty we have to respect human life. One case of assisted suicide that I will talk more about later was
However, there are many pros and cons to each side of the argument. Physician-assisted suicide is unethical based on the Hippocratic Oath, but is ethical based on the patient’s views – which sometimes outweigh the morals of a physician. Physician-assisted suicide first became an issue when our society decided that it was neither moral nor ethical for a physician to help end a terminally ill patient’s life. According to Katie Pickert, Dr. Jack Kevorkian brought lots of attention to the topic during the “epic assisted suicide battle of the 1990s” (1). People who argue with Kevorkian for physician-assisted suicide feel that by helping a patient end his or her life peacefully is helpful to family and friends.
Physician-assisted suicide, a suicide made possible by a physician providing a patient with the means to kill themselves, and euthanasia, the mercy killing of one individual by another, are highly controversial topics. Even countries which share a great deal of their philosophical and moral foundations, such as the United States and much of Western Europe, come to very different conclusions and create very different legislation in this area. However, I believe that there are some basic conclusions that argue both for and against PAS and euthanasia, and when they are weighed against each other there is a much stronger case for legalizing the practices than for banning them. To begin, though, it is important to point out that banning a practice
Another point is that you may not agree with euthanasia unless it happens to someone close to you who suffers for the last weeks of their life which might change your perspective. There are also reasons as to why euthanasia should not be allowed these include that it is a form of assisted suicide which is viewed as murder. Another well argued point is that many people believe that if euthanasia was allowed then everyone would start to depend heavily on it and use it in all cases instead of seeking what action may be the best course. For Roman Catholics their religion simply state that it is not allowed they believe that human life is a sacred gift from God to be cherished and respected because every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. They also believe that in heeding God's command, "Thou shall not kill", we recognize that we cannot end of our lives or the lives of others as we please.
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.
Core Assessment Paper Physician Assisted Suicide Creates Perpetuates the Slippery Slope Argument Abstract Human illness, suffering and death, unfortunately, are part of the human condition, and dealing with chronic illness and death is part of the human experience. With a topic as far reaching as Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS), and, of course the root topic, death, it is understandable that much controversy exist between propends of suicide as a method to ease suffering and their opposition. This paper will address the controversy by presenting a balanced assessment of each argument. The research and findings will show trend predictions in the Slippery Slope argument have been proven factual. Keywords: Physician Assisted Suicide, Medical Ethics, Goals of Medicine, Slippery Slope, Sweden .
As well as this, involuntary euthanasia refers to taking ones life against the person’s expressed wish. Death is a significant aspect of religion, and is extensively considered in relation to what is morally and ethically right. Each religion gives their own significance and explanation to death, and each try to find a place for death within human experience. Basically, religion provides understanding to those both facing death, and those left behind. The importance religion gives to death therefore creates a strong reaction to euthanasia.
• 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. • Involuntary Euthanasia – where a person is killed against their wishes. Many religions do not agree with euthanasia. Some religions regard it as a type of murder. • The official Roman Catholic Church is against euthanasia and says it is a crime.