Euthanasia-Assisted Suicide
Euthanasia in any one of its forms is the deliberate ending of life or the hastening of death at the instance of the patient. Over the last few years, Euthanasia or more specifically assisted suicide has become a much-debated topic not only in the medical circles but also in the legal and the social domains. When we look into the topic of mercy killing we find that it is the 'fear factor' that underlies both the sides of the issue of the debate. From the patients perspective it is the fear of unbearable pain that cannot be assuaged, the embarrassment of dependence and the feeling of worthlessness and loss of self-love from the other angle we have a fear of doctors and nurses and the possibility of the abuse of the power. However, currently there are some countries (Netherlands, Oregon in US) where assisted suicide is legalized and practiced. Let us analyze this issue in a little detail and look into the ethical, social, medical aspects and in particular the nursing perspective to this highly controversial issue. Euthanasia is a combination of two Greek words Eu (easy, painless or happy) and 'thanatos' meaning death. So the essential meaning of the term Euthanasia is pain f
It is not an easy task to distinguish between the persistent and rational requests for assisted suicide from those requests that are the expressions of momentary grief and distress. In other words it is nothing but physician assisted suicide (PAS). Tom Marzen, the attorney for the national Legal centre for the medically Dependent and Disabled said, "It is not surprising that the numbers of assisted suicides have doubled". In fact there is a huge difference and consequent ethical, moral and medical implications between these two methods. The argument is that there is no point in simply sustaining a terminally ill patient and increasing his suffering without any hope of recovery. [Michigan Technological University]. " [Ada Van de Scheur] The Oregon CaseOregon is presently the only State in the United States to allow "physician assisted Suicide". Involuntary Euthanasia is the case where the patient is put to death or his life is put to an end without his active consent or knowledge. We know that many a times even a short-lived sickness or excruciating pain can make us wish to give up life. While those supporting physician assisted suicide argue that unless we are only considered with prolonging life without any consideration for the quality of the life, and the costs that might be incurred, we have to start thinking about the decisions that affect the end of life. James Gilbert from the University of Exter opines that from his vast experience in working with the organization that cares for more than 700 people every year, with almost all of them suffering from interminable and progressive diseases there is "no persistent rational demand" for Euthanasia. Ever since the 1997 act (Commonly known as the 'Death with Dignity act') was introduced, there has been a steady increase in the number of physician-assisted deaths in Oregon from fifteen deaths in 1998 to 38 deaths in 2002.
Common topics in this essay:
Solution Assisted,
Netherlands Oregon,
Introduction Euthanasia,
Suicides Nursing,
Passive Euthanasia,
Susan Trossman,
University Exter,
Dr Jennet,
Oregon's PAS,
Involuntary Euthanasia,
assisted suicide,
terminally ill,
assisted suicides,
physician assisted suicide,
physician assisted,
euthanasia patient,
involuntary euthanasia,
quality life,
persistent rational,
passive euthanasia,
palliative care,
euthanasia patient death,
voluntary involuntary euthanasia,
terminally ill patients,
van de scheur,
|
Acceptance Essays
