That is to say, that a person that has a terminal painful cancer or a long suffering person in a vegetative state can choose to die before the body dies on its’ own, or leave their wishes stated in an advance directive to their family along with a do not resuscitate order to the doctor. That is called the Right to Die. This paper will explore The Right to Die. Along with the subject matter this paper will answer the following questions but not necessarily in order according to the Kaplan University requirements are: Is this true from a legal standpoint? Why or why not?
If euthanasia becomes legal, it would be a treatment option for the terminally sick ones. The patients will have arguments in their minds about whether their life is worth fighting for or should they just give up? On January 21st, 2009, The Family Research Council stated “Disabling diseases and injuries,
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. Joe Masserli points out main arguments for and against assisted suicide in his political assessment of the subject. He argues equally for and against the topic, which points out many things that go unnoticed by those with bold opinions on assisted suicide. Masserli points out the amount of pain that a patient can be spared from, the fundamental freedom of the right to die, the Death with Dignity Act in Oregon, the reduction of healthcare costs, the freeing of doctor and nurse time, the pain and anguish that a patient’s family can be saved from, the
In the same way, the right to choose to die is implicit in the right to life. Those who are in the late stages of a terminal disease have a horrific future ahead of them: the gradual decline of their body, the failure of their organs and the need for artificial support. In some cases, the illness will slowly destroy their minds, the essence of themselves; even if this is not the case, the huge amounts of medication required to ‘control’ their pain will often leave them in a delirious and incapable state. Faced with this, it is surely more humane that those people be allowed to choose the manner of their own end, and die with dignity. Suicide is a lonely, desperate act, carried out in secrecy and often as a cry for help.
Whereas the quality of life is more important for some because when the body has deteriorated so much that death is a benefit (Right to Die, 2010). Without the quality of one’s life; one is merely surviving. Therefore, when the topic of right to die or assisted suicide comes up one tends to think about Dr. Jack Kevorkian, how one would choose to end their life, and one’s religious beliefs. Euthanasia Euthanasia has been practiced for centuries. However, it has recently become a major issue in the twentieth century (Wells, K.R.
Physician assisted suicide should be a right given to all people who are suffering from a painful, degenerative, or deadly condition. Anyone who might never enjoy the luxuries of living a happy and healthy life again. Though several ongoing debates are against physician-assisted suicide, ethicists are still not the one who is responsible to make this decision. Patients have the right to free will and human dignity that gives them the right to choose physician assisted suicide. Being able to have this choice allows the patient to maintain some control over their devastating situation.
Physician Aid in Dying Physician Aid in Dying Physician assisted suicide, now more commonly referred to as physician aid in dying is an available option for terminally ill patients. These ill patients, who are capable of making medical decisions on their own, feel as though they have lived their lives and no longer want to suffer. Although physician aid in dying is only legal in Oregon and Washington, lawmakers want this act of medicine to stop. However; respect for autonomy, compassion, honesty and transparency are reasons that physician aid in dying should be legal in cases where death is certain and consent is from the dying is writing. Decisions about time and circumstances of death are personal.
“Many physicians say they would be clouding their roles as healers if they helped patients to die” (Buchanan 36.) Physicians even take the Hippocratic Oath, which states that “a physician promises to help the sick and never to cause harm” (Buchanan 36.) As Daniel E. Lee, a reporter for the Hastings Center, says “Meaning and hope are possible in all of life’s situations, even in the midst of suffering” (17.) If the United States were to nationally legalize assisted suicide, it would be a disaster, not only because the way it would go against our morals, but the way it would negatively effect today’s society. “Janet, Sherry , Marjorie, and Susan were not terminal by accepted medical definition…[they] were not Kevorkian’s patients in any traditional sense.
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.
People take responsibility for their own lives and since dying is a part of life, the choices people make about dying (ending their life) should be part of these responsibilities. Most people are concerned at some time in their life about how their life will end. If someone plans the way they will die and they are comfortable with it then they should be allowed to do so. “People fear death even more than pain. It's strange that they fear death.