Active Euthanasia
One of the most controversial debates to concern the medical profession in recent decades is that of 'physician-assisted suicide, or active euthanasia. The very mention of the word 'euthanasia' arouses strong emotions and opinions, both in favor and in opposition. Yet, among the multitude of issues and complex arguments that surround the debate, there is one fundamental human right that must be acknowledged: the individual, and not society, has ultimate control over his/her future. Of course, when applied to the issue of active suicide, the individual relies on the assistance of a physician in carrying out his/her personal wishes, and it is this physician-assistance that draws a great deal of criticism from opponents. However, with many of the arguments against active suicide being centered upon the area of regulation and potential abuse, then not only 'should' physicians be allowed to provide their assistance, but indeed they 'must'. In the interest of ensuring the individual's right to self-determination, and in order to ensure that active suicide occurs in an environment of security and safety, physicians must be allowed to prescribe lethal doses or combinations of drugs to assist terminally ill patients in suicide.
According to Brock, people have an inherent right in making "important decisions about their lives for themselves according to their own values or conceptions of a good life, and in being left free to act on these decisions"...
E. The exceptions made for impairment and age would open a Pandora's Box of legal precedence. The Death with Dignity Act and any other forthcoming active euthanasia laws will likely continue to follow the same line of reasoning, i.e. that it is the unimpaired individual who must shoulder the full responsibility of the decisions he or she is making regarding the end of his or her life. That is in
Euthanasia is a Moral, Ethical, and Proper Social Policy When it is carried out with a competent physician in attendance and appropriate family members understand the decision and the desire of the ill person -- or there has been a written request by the infirmed person that a doctor-assisted death is what she or he desired -- euthanasia is a moral, ethical and proper policy. It offers a merciful end to
Euthanasia The power to control the destiny of another person's life is an opiate which no person should have the ability to ingest when the control is over the persons life, or death. While medical technology has been creating new conditions by which individuals can live longer, and medical science has entered a new era regarding treatment of conditions which only a few years ago would haven the lives of those
There are many other related reasons for arguing against euthanasia and its acceptance or legalization. One is that it contradicts the medical code of ethics and the Hippocratic Oath, which, "…expressly forbids the giving of deadly medicine to anyone who asks" (Cauthen). The argument that euthenasia is an act of compassion and mercy can also be contradicted. There are many drugs available today that can be used to control pain;
There is no question, the dying process is one of consummate emotional and physical loss for the individual dying and the individual(s) who is left to repair the life they have put on hold to lovingly usher their loved one out of this world. The situation is often so extreme that care providers see and do things that in life would have seemed improbable if not impossible and the
As palliative care specialist Dr. Gilbert puts it, "Despite this close involvement with the very patients for whom euthanasia is advocated we do not encounter any persistent rational demand" [Southern Cross Bioethics Institute]. The very point of 'Advanced Directives' is in itself confounding issue as frequently it is the patient's imaginary fears about loss of body functions and pain that drives them to such conclusions. So it is cleanly obvious
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