The document discusses arguments in favor of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. It presents the case of Brittany Maynard, a terminally ill patient who chose to end her life through assisted suicide to avoid months of suffering from brain cancer. The document argues that euthanasia allows terminally ill patients to die peacefully and with dignity, rather than enduring a slow deterioration and months of pain, even with painkillers. It maintains that terminally ill patients deserve control over how and when they die.
1. Pro Euthanasia
The Merriam–Webster Dictionary defines "euthanasia" as "the act or practice of killing or
permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons
of mercy". Euthanasia is legal in several countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Columbia, and
Luxembourg. Assisted suicide is legal in many more countries, including Switzerland, Japan, Canada,
and in seven states (Societies). There are two types of euthanasia: passive and active. Active is when
a physician actively gives a patient drugs or medications with the specific intention of ending their
life, as per request of the patient (Culver). It is often compared by medical professionals to assisted
suicide because of the similarities. The key...show more content...
Mr. Clarence Herbert had undergone surgery for his heart and was left with severe brain damage,
leaving him comatose and unresponsive. Seeing as there was no chance of recovery, his family
requested he be taken off life support. Two attending physicians were charged with conspiracy and
murder after ending the treatment. In the end, the court determined that since the physicians were
doing as the family requested, they could not be lawfully punished (Robert H. Philibosian). After
Texas passed the Advance Directives Act, six–month–old Sun Hudson became the first patient to
have treatment legally withdrawn after he was diagnosed with a fatal disease called thanatophoric
dysplasia, which causes severe skeletal deformation and the majority of infants diagnosed with this
disease die shortly after birth
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2. Pro Euthanasia Research Paper
The term "Euthanasia" originates from the Greek words for "good death". It refers to both,
intentionally ending a person's life by carrying out a fatal act (active), or withholding life–saving or
life–prolonging medical treatment (passive). It can also be further categorized into voluntary,
non–voluntary, and involuntary, depending on patient consent. Physician–assisted suicide and
assisted suicide are large components of the contemporary debate. The euthanasia debate has existed
for thousands of years, with the practice existing as far back as Ancient Greece and Rome. The rise
of religion played a major role in the history of euthanasia, and had a significant impact on the way
human life and death were viewed. Euthanasia is opposed by all...show more content...
In general, however, at this time, suicide, infanticide, euthanasia and mercy killings were commonly
accepted and supported. Fast forward to the birth of Christianity, and attitudes began to completely
shift, with even suicide being viewed as shameful and sinful, and both Jews and Christians tending
to oppose euthanasia. This viewpoint continued throughout the Middle Ages and beyond, although
writers began to challenge the authority of the church during the Renaissance and the Reformation.
In the 1870s, morphine was starting to be used extensively as a pain reliever, but Samuel
Williams, who was not a physician, publicly advocated for using it to intentionally end a patient's
life. His suggestion was widely opposed and many people likened it to turning doctors into
executioners. In November 1915, John Bollinger was born with severe physical defects in a
Chicago hospital, and the chief of staff, Dr. Haiselden, determined that the child would die without
surgery, but opted not to carry it out, stating that he would stand by passively and allow the child to
die naturally. He then continued this process with other deformed and disabled babies, becoming
famous for his stance and
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3. Essay Pro Euthanasia
Pro Euthanasia
Most people want to live their life with dignity and die with dignity. People make important
choices and decisions through out their life. Some of these decisions are very difficult and even life
changing. We live in a democratic society where we are free to make these decisions.Death is an
unavoidable event and happens to everyone. Death can be quick or it can make our love ones suffer
miserably. Some people become very ill or have devastating physical problems they must deal with
daily. They have a constitutional right to refuse treatment. Most patients trust in their doctor to help
them deal with their illness. As their suffering increases, their self–respect decreases. A person
should have the freedom to end their life...show more content...
These events are also described in (1 Chronicles 10:3–7). Saul took his life because of his injuries.
He knew when the Philistines arrived; he would be tortured and brutally killed by them. Saw knew
his death would be dragged out like a helpless person, slowly and painfully dying, so he quickly
killed himself.
Think if someone you cherished was dying due to an organ failure or the need of a new organ.
There are long waiting lists for hearts, kidneys, livers, and other organs that are necessary to save the
lives of people who can be saved. Doctor–assisted suicide allows physicians to preserve vital organs
that can be donated to others. However, if certain diseases are not stopped quickly and spread, the
organs may weaken or stop working all together. Friends and family of the patient suffers just as
much or more than the patient themselves. Death should not be a dragged out painful thing and
"Assisted suicide shows compassion for the dying"(Rifkin 18). Right now there is a shortage of
medical staff in this country, especially nurses. If someone is going to eventually die and is
desperately hanging on, why not grant their last wish and use that unneeded medical attention on
someone who can be saved. Dr. Pieter Admiraal, and anesthesiologist and the first Dutch physician to
express his opinion stated," The main reason patients request euthanasia are the loss of dignity that
may accompany the
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4. Pro Euthanasia
Euthanasia is a practice that should be allowed because only the patient that is diagnosed with a
terminal disease knows how they really feel. Some people can make their own decisions to take
their own lives and die with dignity. However, other people are in a comma or are in bed for years
without any hope to recuperate. In that case, there is no reason to let them suffer; most of the time,
the family suffers more to see their loved ones suffering than to pull the plug on the them. The
euthanasia will help shorten the grieving process and end suffering of their loved ones, so that the
victim can rest in peace. Consequently, death is obviously a very controversial topic to many people.
Moreover, people do not like to talk about the subject
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5. Pro Euthanasia Research Paper
Imagine knowing you will die a slow, painful death with no way to stop it. That's what reality is like
for many terminally ill patients. Although death is inevitable for many, there's a way to prevent it
from being slow and painful. Euthanasia is voluntary doctor–assisted suicide in which the patient is
given a lethal dosage of pain medication or an aid–in–dying drug. This gives the patient and their
family control as well as ensuring a peaceful, painless death. Safeguards ensure that it is a voluntary
process that follows the patient's wishes. Terminally ill patients and their families seek out euthanasia
for peace, but popular support goes beyond these families. The problem is that euthanasia is only
legal in 5 states, with requirements...show more content...
For example, Brittany Maynard was a terminally ill patient who found peace with euthanasia. She
was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 29 and there was no effective treatment to save her life.
Without euthanasia, Maynard would have to wait to die in hospice care. She told CNN, "I could
develop potentially morphine– resistant pain and suffer personality changes and verbal, cognitive
and motor loss of virtually any kind. Because the rest of my body is young and healthy, I am
likely to physically hang on for a long time even though cancer is eating my mind. I probably
would have suffered in hospice care for weeks or even months. And my family would have had to
watch that" (Maynard). For many terminally ill patients, their quality of life is very low, and they
begin to lose their ability to move or communicate. Even with painkillers, there is still suffering.
After months of slow deterioration of the mind, the patient would be nothing but a body. Euthanasia
provides the opportunity to die as a full human being and to skip weeks or months of suffering.
Maynard found peace in not only the option to die with dignity, but the choice. She wrote, "Who has
the right to tell me that I don't deserve this choice? That I deserve to suffer for weeks or months in
tremendous amounts of physical and emotional pain? Why should anyone have the right to make
that choice for me?...Having this choice at the end of my life has become incredibly important. It has
given me a sense of peace during a tumultuous time that otherwise would be dominated by fear,
uncertainty and pain" (Maynard). Although the illness is a death sentence, euthanasia is a way to
decide when, how, and where the patient dies, giving the patients some much sought–after
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6. Essay on The Pros and Cons of Euthanasia
Euthanasia, good or bad? In this following article I will be exploring euthanasia in more detail, the
different Christian points of view, the strengths and weaknesses of the euthanasia argument and
finally my point of view on euthanasia and why I believe this.
First of all, what is euthanasia? It is something that not many people think about until they or a friend
or family member is put in a position where they might actually have to consider it. Euthanasia, in
the dictionary, simply is: the action of ending someone's life in a painless way. It seems pretty
simple but in reality it is a lot more complicated, not only for the people involved but for the society
in general as well.
Overall there are four different types of...show more content...
One of the most important pieces of scripture a Christian follows is the 10 commandments and one,
and in my opinion the most important, commandment is "Do not commit murder." (Exodus 20:13)
This raises the question, is euthanasia murder? and in many Christian's view is that if a life is taken
away earlier than God planed then it is murder and therefore many Christian's point of view on
euthanasia is that it is wrong.
Another quotation that supports what I believe is the general view of many Christians around the
world is the idea that God has already planned out our life and knows when the right time to die is.
This is shown in the bible saying "He set the time for birth, and the time for death." (Ecclesiastes 3:2)
and again here: "your days allotted to me, had all been recorded in your book, before any of them
began." (Psalm 139:16)
Both these quotations show, according to the bible, that God has already planned out our life–from
the time that we are born to the time of our death.
The last Christian point of view is also shown through the bible saying "You created every part of
me, you put me together in my mother's womb." (Psalms 139:13)
This quotation is saying that God created everything about us and not only is linked with the point
of view above saying that God has already planned out our lives but is also linked with the idea that
God created us and chose when we were born so he should
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7. Pro Euthanasia Research Paper
Euthanasia, also known as physician assisted suicide, has been a topic of controversial and
passionate debate. Euthanasia is referred to mercy killing, better defined as "the act of putting to
death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or
animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition" according to
Dictionary.com. This is a subject that leaves a person with mixed emotions and strong beliefs. It
also raises legal issues which deal with issues of morals and ethics. Euthanasia should be legalized
because it gives terminally ill people the opportunity to avoid excruciating/unendurable pain. These
terminally ill patients should have the right to end their suffering with a quick, but yet compassionate
death. Furthermore, by legalizing euthanasia it makes...show more content...
According to ProCon.org, "it has been argued that the right to die is protected by the same
constitutional safeguards that guarantee such rights as marriage, procreation, and the refusal or
termination of life–saving medical treatment." There are certain circumstances and situations where
the right to die is necessary. Most patients who choose physician assisted suicide are dealing with
conditions that have caused them to live with excruciating and unbearable pain in which there is
no cure. It is not right for them to have to live this way if they do not have to. As Stephen
Hawking, PhD, cosmologist and theoretical physicist, stated in an interview with BBC, "I think
those who have a terminal illness and are in great pain should have the right to choose to end their
lives and those that help them should be free from prosecution. We don't let animals suffer, so why
humans?" As individuals, we should have sovereignty over our own body. The choice of euthanasia
is reassuring and helpful for terminally ill patients to have the option. It would be supportive to have
this control if
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8. Pro Euthanasia Research Paper
Euthanasia is deliberated to painless and peaceful natural deaths in old age that occur in calm and
acquainted surroundings, its process is where a licensed physician ends the lifespan of another
person to end their pain or distress. There are two types of euthanasian standings, which are
voluntary and involuntary. Voluntaryeuthanasia is when a person is killed upon that person's
demand for explanations of suffering. Involuntary euthanasia is the mercy killing of a physically or
legally incompetent person, such as a child or a irrational elderly patient, at the request of, or by, a
caregiver or family member. On the other hand, there is also assisted suicide; which occurs when one
person gives another person the instructions, means, or capability to bring about their own death.
Euthanasia, however, is illegal. In the contemporary years, "aid in dying" movement has made
incremental gains, but the concern remains controversial. Some people fear that allowing euthanasia
sends the message, "it's better to be dead than sick or disabled"....show more content...
The argument against this is that people look at things from their own perspective and see life
with a disability as a disaster,filled with suffering and obstruction. The consequence is that some
lives are not worth living. Not only does this put the sick or disabled at risk, it also downgrades
their status as human beings while they are alive. On behalf of legalizing euthanasia or assisted
suicide is that it, like abortion, is a choice issue. Many have their rational reasoning, but people have
the right of choice. People who support euthanasia often say that it is already acceptable to take
human life. They mix–up the impression that when one kills for self–defense, they are saving
innocent life; either their own or someone else's. With euthanasia, no one's life is being saved; it is
merely
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9. Pro Euthanasia Research Paper
Imagine you're a nurse or a doctor looking after a patient who has lost his ability to move. You use
so much time and effort to save him and make his life a little bit better than it is in his condition.
But one day he asks to die. All your time, effort and hope has gone down the drain, but you can't
oppose his wishes.
Euthanasia is the act of hastening death of a person, through withholding essential resources for
survival or by means of drugs and other lethal practises. This is often done out of mercy with the
consent of the victim who is suffering tremendously like a quadriplegic who can only blink and look
around, living their lives with constant care, loneliness and the inability to do every day routines.
Euthanasia is in other words;...show more content...
ALS is a rapidly progressive neurological disease that attack neurons, which are responsible for
control over your muscles. He was first diagnosed with ALS at the age of 21 while he was studying
at the University of Cambridge. He quickly lost control over most of his body and only possessed
the ability to look and blink.
However he had accepted his condition and continued to study science, physics and cosmology.
He received a bachelor's degree in math and physics in Oxford University and a master's and PhD
in Cambridge. He discovered and developed a mathematical proof for black holes, proved Einstein's
theory of relativity, redefined the Big Bang theory and has proven the universe has no boundaries.
He was awarded various honours and awards, such as the Pius XI gold medal for science, the
Order of the British Empire honour by Queen Elizabeth II and the Presidential Medal of Freedom
from President Barack Obama. Stephen Hawking has also published two books "A brief history of
time" and "George's secret key to the universe".
Stephen Hawking has accomplished countless remarkable and amazing achievements; he has done
far more than the average person and can't do most daily routines without constant
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10. Pro Euthanasia Research Paper
The idea of Euthanasia is one of the most controversial subjects that the government faces today.
Many people support the idea of allowing Euthanasia to terminally–ill people, others do not agree
with it. Even though it is not legal, many doctors do it behind closed doors. They would overdose
patients on morphine or other drugs to end their suffering. Overall i believe that Euthanasia should be
legal within Canada. Terminally–ill people suffer until their death, some of them want to end their
life before they are suffering a lot. It is illegal to have someone help you commit suicide, but what if
you're unable to? Sue Rodriguez ran into this problem. It is not illegal to commit suicide, but those
unable to because of a Terminal illness feel...show more content...
Hence the formation of "Dying with dignity", they believe "It's your life. It's your choice". This is
true, people commit suicide every year, what about those with terminal illness who will die
anyways? They should be able to aswell. If they are able to consent. In Section 15 of the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms it states that everyone is equal under law and has
equal benefit without discrimination. Terminally ill people are in fact being discriminated in a
way. As everyone is equal, and some people have the option of suicide but terminally ill people
can not physically commit suicide they are being discriminated. Section 241 (b) of the Canadian
Criminal Code states "Every one who aids or abets a person to commit suicide, whether suicide
ensues or not, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
fourteen years." This is violating Section 15 of the CCRF as everyone is equal without
discrimination. These two sections contradict each other because terminally ill people are not
considered to have a physical disability. Section 14 of the Canadian Criminal Code seems to
contradict Section 12 of the CCRF as Section 14 states "No person is entitled to consent to have
death inflicted on him" yet Section 12 states "Everyone has the right not to be subjected to any cruel
and unusual treatment or punishment", because no one is entitled to have death inflicted on them, this
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11. Pro Euthanasia Research Paper
Euthanasia is the method of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering at a patient's
request. The practice of euthanasia is prohibited in most countries, as most religious groups oppose
the practice. However, euthanasia, despite the negative connotation it is typically associated with, is
a legitimate technique that must be legalized. It is necessary that euthanasia is legalized because
similarities exist between euthanasia and an existing medical technique (refusal of extensive
treatment), which brings up the question of, "Why is one legal while the other is not?"
Furthermore, it is necessary not only because patients deserve a choice in when and how they die
but also because, if it is not legalized, patients will go through...show more content...
The British Social Attitudes survey conducted on various members of the community showed that
80% of the public said they wanted the laws changed to give terminally ill patients the right to die
with a doctor's help. (BBC) The results show a large majority believes that change needs to occur
in legislation regarding the matter, but very little has changed despite the numerous bills that have
been sent to Congress and Parliament. Likewise, an article was published entitled "The Future of
Health and Care of Older People: The Best is Yet to Come," and it established what many considered
twelve principles of a good death. Among the principles, the following were included: control over
aspects of timing, control of where it occurs, and ability to issue advance directives. (BBC).
Regardless of the circumstances of why someone's life is coming to an end, everyone deserves to
live and die on his or her own terms with the prior being established in most countries' constitutions.
Further points that emphasize the fact that people deserve to choose how and when they die include
the quality of life over quantity movement (a movement that emphasizes the quality of the time that
one lived over its duration), the fact that euthanasia infringes upon no human right, and the
fundamental rights to choose around which we have based our
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12. Ethics of Euthanasia Essay
As patients come closer to the end of their lives, certain organs stop performing as well as they use
to. People are unable to do simple tasks like putting on clothes, going to the restroom without
assistance, eat on our own, and sometimes even breathe without the help of a machine. Needing to
depend on someone for everything suddenly brings feelings of helplessness much like an infant
feels. It is easy to see why some patients with terminal illnesses would seek any type of relief from
this hardship, even if that relief is suicide. Euthanasia or assisted suicide is where a physician would
give a patient an aid in dying. "Assisted suicide is a controversial medical and ethical issue based on
the question of whether, in certain situations,...show more content...
Whether murder is done in a peaceful, non painful way or in a very gruesome, unimaginable way,
it is still considered murder. Physicians have no way of knowing 'what is best for the patient'
especially if that patient's terminal illness prevents them from speaking. Not only is assisted
suicide considered murder, it also goes against Physicians' Hippocratic Oath. "Hippocratic Oath:
An oath (or promise) all physicians must swear to uphold, regarding the ethical practices of the
medical profession" (Lee). By allowing doctors to stray from this oath, it will be easier for them to
aid in or carry out assisted suicides when it will never be entirely necessary for them to consider the
option. "In 2005, Texas doctors removed two patients from life support without advanced directions
and against the wishes of the patient's family" (Pawlick). By not legalizing assisted suicides, families
will be able to decide when their family member is physically unable to continue with the provided
treatments, but only when the patient themselves can no longer communicate their wishes and no
document stating how they should go about the situation has been left in their families possession.
Ethical issues are not the only problem. Some argue that euthanasia also creates issues from a legal
perspective. "One legal question is whether assisted suicide violates the Controlled Substances Act, a
federal law governing the distribution of drugs" (Lee). Such
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13. Pro Euthanasia Research Paper
When it comes to the topic of euthanasia, most of us will readily agree that it's a debatable topic.
Where this agreement usually ends, however is on the question of if one has the right to take away
the life of any individual. Whereas some are convinced that it's a mercy killing, others maintain it's
an incentive for insurance companies to save money. My own view is that any individual suffering
from an incurable disease or condition should be given the ability to end their pain.
Voluntaryeuthanasia is performed whenever a person is suffering from a terminal illness and is in
pain. The term assisted suicide is often used when the patient performs this procedure with a help
from a doctor. Voluntary euthanasia is legal in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg and is also
legal in Oregon, Washington and Montana. In the article "Offering a Choice to the Terminally Ill"
by The Editorial Board on New York Times, Diane Rehm watched in agony as her husband, John,
starved to death over the course of ten days. He was diagnosed by Parkinson's disease and his only
option to end his suffering was to stop eating and drinking. I could...show more content...
The New York State Department of Health in their Apr. 2011 report "When Death Is Sought,
stated: "Under any new system of health care delivery, as at present, it will be far less costly to
give a lethal injection than to care for a patient throughout the dying process. The care provided to
dying or very ill patients, not just their treatment, is expensive and demanding for health care
professionals. The extra weeks or months of caring for patients who do not opt for assisted suicide
or euthanasia will seem all the more 'futile' and costly." In other words, legalizing euthanasia or
assisted suicide can make it the only option that is affordable for people and can cut back on
thousands of dollars for insurances on paying for
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14. Pro Euthanasia Research Paper
Although euthanasia can be seen as defying the natural process of one's death and going against fate,
voluntary euthanasia should be legalized as it requires the patient's authorization and gives them the
right to die, choosing their own future. Derek Humphry – founder of the Hemlock Society and the
Euthanasia Research and Guidance Organization, mentions that "Even if a hopelessly ill person is
requesting assistance in dying for the most compassionate reasons, and the helper is acting from the
most noble of motives, it remains a crime in the Anglo–American world" (Humphry 2). As a society
with the basic understanding of compassion, it is difficult to grasp the fact that a doctor that
attempts to relieve a patient of their unbearable suffering,...show more content...
Yet when it comes to incurable and deleterious illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease, are they, the
hospital staff going to be able to alleviate the patient's pain? Right to Die advocated believes that
those who lack that particular," quality of life" should be able to make their own decisions. As
shown in the change of the Hippocratic Oath, modern day American Citizens are beginning to
change their view on euthanasia. As the future and new generations of American citizens are
constantly changing from how they were in the past, it is believed that euthanasia will be one of the
many ideas that may be accepted and perhaps, even legalized to many different countries in the
world. As Terry Pratchett– the author of "Euthanasia Is Merciful and Reasonable," says, "If I knew
that I could die, I would live. My life, my death, my choice" (Pratchett 5).Modern times are now
placing more importance on individual wellness and self–made decisions that are not influenced by
outside beliefs, due to the embrace of different religions and a diverse range of moral and ethical
beliefs. This is important because that means pro–choice is becoming more embraced by the new
generation. In today's modern society, I believe that it is unethical to forbid those who are suffering
from relieving their pain as they wish. Without euthanasia and physician–assisted suicide, terminally
ill patients who are under great distress, are unable to live as they please, and are causing their
beloved family an abundant amount of debt. Out of pure compassion and empathy, I believe it is
best to legalize euthanasia for those who truly cannot live a better
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15. Essay Pro Euthanasia
When someone is inevitably dying and in inexplicable pain is it really a crime to grant their wishes
and end their suffering? As of right now euthanasia is illegal in many countries and is a very
controversial topic. Is it compassion for the patient helping them in ending their life or murder? The
doctor is not giving death as an option, it is the patients choice and even where it is legal there are
many rules. Euthanasia should not be considered a crime because the patient is not being murdered;
they are having their suffering end in a painless, humane way out of compassion for the patient and
their family.
Euthanasia is defined by the World Book Millennium 2000 encyclopaedia as, "the practise of
painlessly ending the lives of people...show more content...
The reason to legalize euthanasia is clear, these people need to have the choice to die with dignity.
Dr. Jack Kevorkian more commonly known as Dr. Death is greatly known for his opinion that
euthanasia should be legalized and his work with patients seeking help. He was very important in
showing euthanasia and voicing his opinion on the subject so the public could not ignore the
importance of the matter. Dr. Kevorkian was said to have been involved with 130 suicides by
patients who wanted to end their own lives (Nicol and Wylie 17). He had two machines he used to
help the patients, one an injection and the other a mask, however both machines were operated by
the patient and although Dr. Kevorkian was taken to court many times for these he was not
convicted because the patient was in control. He was very careful as to not actually commit the act
himself until he was contacted by Thomas Youk, a young with Lou Gheric's disease; Lou Gheric's
disease is when the muscle stop working and eventually the patient chokes to death. Tom's condition
prevented him from actually operating the machines and therefore Dr. Kevorkian decided that he
would operate the machine himself because he cared greatly about all his patients and could not let
Tom live in his constant fear (Nicol and Wylie 11). Dr. Kevorkian taped Tom's wishes and then
himself hooking up the machine and pushing the button to inject the drugs. He then proceed to
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16. Pro Euthanasia Research Paper
Any human being should be able to make the decision if they want to live or if they want to die.
Euthanasia is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or an
irreversible coma. Though it is illegal in most countries, it is legal in Oregon and Washington and
should be legal everywhere. To be able to make the decision of dying the patient must be an adult,
must have two oral and one written request, must be at least between 15 days between the first and
last request, patient must have less than six months to live, and the prognosis must be consulted by
two physicians. Both of the doctors must confirm that the patient is capable of making this decision
and must also confirm that the patient does not have a...show more content...
Every ten minutes a person is added to the waiting list to receive an organ. About 400 patients die
every year waiting for a transplant. If there was a child in need of a liver and he only had a
couple of weeks, the mother would be grateful of the patient that donated their organs to save
their child. The child would have been in the hospital until the last second of his life and the
parents would have dealt with so much pain but the patient who chose to die, donated their
organs. Euthanasia can save those in need of an organ. Another reason why euthanasia should be
legal is because it is obviously difficult for a family, but can be easy as well. The family can suffer
mentally, physically, and emotionally. It can be very hard watching one of your family members
get worse over time with no hope. The family might consider the option because they do not have
the money or the time to spend on the dying patient. Their lives must still go on because they have
work, school, and their own families. It is harder for a family to watch their loved one suffer than
to let them go and be at peace. Lastly, The patient has the right to choose whether to keep fighting or
to give
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17. Euthanasia Essay examples
Euthanasia is often called "mercy killing". It is intentionally making someone die, rather than
allowing that person to die naturally. It is sometimes the act of ending someone's life, who is
terminally ill, or is suffering in severe pain. Euthanasia is mostly illegal in the world today.
Euthanasia can be considered a form of suicide, if the person afflicted with the problem actively
does it. The person volunteering to commit the act to that person can also consider it a form of
murder.
The positive side of Euthanasia is that it ends a person's suffering in this world. Many physicians and
psychiatrists believe that it may a humane act. From a virtue ethics point of view, it may be
appropriate. What we seek in human existence is to be...show more content...
The benefits are numerous in that the person euthanized would cease suffering, and the families
would begin the healing process from grief and/or depression from the situation.
From Mill's perspective, the person volunteering for euthanasia has a liberty to do what he/she
wants. Mill has written that if the person does not cause harm to others, it is the person's right, or
liberty, to do what they please. If a person wants euthanasia, then that person has the sole liberties to
choose such an act, and depart society and life. Nobody is being other than the person wishing it,
and it is a volunteered act.
Brandt argues for approval of euthanasia, but killing human beings is wrong, because it injures that
person and goes against the preferences of self–preservation. However, Brandt says that the above is
not present in the issue of euthanasia, so it may be permissible. Brandt says that not all killing is
injury, so not all killing is wrong. One should pay attention to one's expressed wishes he says.
Euthanasia could be considered doing a person a favor, because you cannot injure something if you
are relieving it of pain.
The negative side of euthanasia is that it goes against natural law ethics, because we do not let
nature take its course. We are disturbing what is occurring or happening naturally to the person.
Every person has a natural inclination to continue living. It is also said
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18. Pro Euthanasia Essay
Euthanasia
The word "euthanasia" was first used in a medical context by Francis Bacon in the 17th century,
referring to an easy, painless, happy death, during a time in which it was a "physician's
responsibility to alleviate the 'physical sufferings' of the body." Euthanasia is defined as allowing or
assisting a patient/person to end their life in the least painful manner, it is also known as assisted
suicide and relatively means the same thing. There are three different forms of euthanasia, Passive
euthanasia, which allowing the patient to die a natural death by intentionally disconnecting life
support systems, (i.e. respiratory equipment, or discontinuing life sustaining medical procedures,),
Active euthanasia is intentionally ending...show more content...
Suicide is often an option considered by those with a terminal illness who are severely depressed.
Hearing their condition is fatal can trigger old depressive conditions and even generate new
ones.For these patients suicide can seem the only way out, however new studies show treatment for
the depression can prove invaluable and even improve the mental and emotional health of a person
with a terminal illness. Otherwise known as 'unacceptable suffering', this involves pain and suffering
that is persistent, unbearable and hopeless.In a study of end of life issues regarding terminal patients
most stated receiving adequate pain and symptom management was a major concern. They claimed
that an undermining of care in this area could lead to thoughts of suicide. (10) However these
definitions, when used in a legal framework, present problems of definition as they are subjective.
This terminology can also refer to non–medical conditions which if used as a standard for medical
practice can lead to a danger of fallibility.Patients with terminal illnesses are reluctant to be seen as a
'burden' on their loved ones. With today's rising health costs and the busy lifestyles, many lead just
to stay afloat financially, those people with a terminal illness can feel they will be draining their
family's resources. This can lead to feelings of guilt for staying alive until their condition works itself
through to its ultimate conclusion..Burden on
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19. Pros And Cons Of Voluntary Pro Euthanasia
Euthanasia, or voluntary assisted suicide, has been the subject of much moral, legal and human
rights debate in Australia. Broadly speaking, this term is used to describe the termination of a
person's life to end their suffering, usually through the administration of drugs. The core of this
debate is centred on how to mitigate and pacify competing values; an individual's desire to self
autonomy and freedom and choice to die with dignity when suffering, alongside with the devaluation
of human life as a consequence that is formed through the legalisation of euthanasia. Due to the
nature of the topic of euthanasia that is shrouded with ethical controversy and ambiguity, there is
difficulty in legal justification and establishment of voluntary...show more content...
The legally binding 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Article 6,
further elaborates upon the rights in the UDHR, stating that: "Every human being has the inherent
right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life."
It facilitates the abuse of vulnerable patients and can result in a "slippery slope" which claims that
it will invariably lead to the acceptance or practice of concepts which are currently deemed
unacceptable, such as involuntary euthanasia. In line with this, patients may feel they are a burden
and so feel a subtle pressure, real or imagined, to end their lives. Legalisation of assisted suicide will
inevitably brings about a shift in how we judge the value of our lives. The foundational societal
value of respect for human life would be damaged and it implies that allowing euthanasia presents
the subtext that "it's better to be dead than sick or disabled". Not only does this put the sick or
disabled at risk, it also downgrades their status as human beings while they are alive. Thus, it is
argued that in order to prevent these undesirable practices from occurring, we need to resist taking
the first
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20. Pro Euthanasia Research Paper
Opponents of euthanasia insist that it is vital to stop people from making the decision to euthanize
themselves. Many times, sick patients are, sadly, guilted into euthanasia. Debbie Purdy, a victim of
multiple sclerosis and ignorance by doctors, states her emotion to the topic by profoundly stating,
"When a scared and depressed patient ask for poison pills and their doctor's response is to pull out
the lethal prescription pad, it confirms the patient's worse fear– that they are a burden and are less
worth loving"(Smith). Doctors will put the thought that they are a strain and a chore to take care of,
resulting in the patient making the choice to die. Contemplate this, you have cancer, you are
drowning in medical bills, and you want to
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