The Right to Die

3221 Words13 Pages
The right to die, to die with dignity, end of life choices, these statements and others make up a list of very controversial statements in the present day, but what do they mean? In years past to die meant that a person died at the end of the given time decided upon when the physical body has given out. It did not matter if it was an instant death like that of a massive heart attack or a long suffering death like that of a painful cancer. In recent years though, there has been the advent of patients/people taking on the role of deciding when their time should end on this Earth. 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? Do health care professionals have an obligation to include right to die considerations in the care they render to terminal patients? Why or why not? What kinds of rights or obligations do family members have related to a relative’s right to die? How does caring versus curing fit into this spectrum? Apply ethical principles (justice, autonomy, etc.) to this dilemma. Discuss how these ethical principles apply to the situation you describe The right to die can go down many avenues. Euthanasia in not lawful in every state, but a select few have passed laws allowing patients to have physician assisted suicide under very specific guidelines. Advance directives and Do Not Resuscitate are legal in every state but according
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