The Debate Surrounding Physician-Assisted Suicide Essay

Physician-assisted suicide is the practice in which a doctor prescribes a terminally ill patient with a lethal medication as a form of active, voluntary euthanasia. These patients, rather than suffer slowly and painfully, often request this procedure as a means of experiencing a more â€Å"dignified† death. The debate surrounding this issue is a heated one, especially among the general public whose attitudes are deeply influenced by the level of patient pain and discomfort (Frileux et al. 334). At the heart of the issue is the conflict between a patient’s right to choose between life and death and, as expressed by one social scientist, â€Å"society’s obligation to protect its most vulnerable members from hastened and not completely voluntary death†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦Assisted suicide is criticized as a drastic answer to â€Å"a situation that demands a far more comprehensive and compassionate approach† (86). Focusing on patients with adv anced cancer, Twycross notes that it is crucial to humanize the experience of the dying so that their emotional, physical, and spiritual needs are met. For example, more than sixty percent of patients with Stage IV cancer experience severe, overlooked pain (89). The establishment of several hospices and care units as a response to the gaps left by medical technology has significantly improved the standard of care received by terminally ill patients. These care facilities work on symptom control by carefully evaluating the cause of pain and adopting a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates both regular analgesic use and non-drug measures like creating a positive, comfortable environment (89). Twycross concludes that it is not a change in the legal status of euthanasia that is needed, but rather a change in medical education to teach doctors how to â€Å"enable those with cancer to live better with their disease† because presenting physician-assisted suicide as an option â€Å"serves simply to weaken the resilience and resolve of those who are ill† (92). Similarly, a journal article by Susan Martyn and Henry Bourguigon addresses the subjectivity in the guidelines for determining patientShow MoreRelatedThe Debate Of Physician Assisted Suicide1321 Words   |  6 PagesThe Debate Surrounding the Topic of Physician Assisted Suicide Who gets to make the choice whether someone lives or dies? If a person has the right to live, they certainly should be able to make the choice to end their own life. The law protects each and everyone’s right to live, but when a person tries to kill themselves more than likely they will end up in a Psychiatric unit. Today we hear more and more about the debate of Physician assisted suicide and where this topic stands morally and ethicallyRead MoreSince The Fifteen Century, Society Has Viewed Suicide Or1178 Words   |  5 PagesSince the fifteen century, society has viewed suicide or intentional death as immoral. It was not until the twentieth century that these â€Å"immoral† attitudes were challenged. As of 2016, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Colombia have unambiguously legalized direct assisted dying. Other areas, having to undergo a process of either a judicial or legislative decision, include Canada, Japan, and Germany. Currently in the United States, following the same process of a judicial or legislative processesRead MoreLegalizing Physician Assisted Suicide And Active Euthanasia843 Words   |  4 PagesFatal Differences The civil argument in the U.S. over whether or not to authorize physician-assisted suicide and active euthanasia has reached new levels of vehemence. Oregon, California, Vermont, and Washington (and Montana, via court ruling) have become the first states to legalize physician-assisted suicide. There has, too, been campaigning, ballot measures, bills, and litigation in other states in attempts to legalize one or both practices. Supporters increasingly urge either absolute legalizationRead MorePhysician-Assisted Suicide - an Utilitarian Perspective Essay example1476 Words   |  6 PagesPhysician-assisted suicide is â€Å"the voluntary termination of ones own life by administration of a lethal substance with the direct or indirect assistance of a physician. Physician-assisted suicide is the practice of providing a competent patient with a prescription for medication for the patient to use with the primary intention of ending his or her own life† (MedicineNet.com, 2004). Many t imes this ethical issue arises when a terminally-ill patient with and incurable illness, whom is given littleRead More Rebutting Arguments to Legalize Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide1711 Words   |  7 PagesLegalize Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide      Ã‚   This essay focuses on several of the most common arguments in favor of the legalization of euthanasia or assisted suicide - and rebuts them. The language is simple, or, as they say, in laymans terms so as to be easily understandable. The sources are from professional journals, internet websites, and news outlets.    The first common argument favoring euthanasia or assisted suicide is this: Since euthanasia and assisted suicide take place anywayRead MoreEssay The Physician-Assisted Suicide Argument985 Words   |  4 Pagesreferenced in support of physician-assisted-suicide, or PAS. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are interchangeable terms which both lead to the death of an individual. Voluntary PAS is a medical professional, usually a physician, who provides medication or other procedures with the intention of ending the patient’s life. Voluntary PAS is the administration of medicine with the explicit consent from the patient. In terms of this paper, we focus on voluntary physician-assisted suicide in the elderly, 65 andRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide1418 Words   |  6 Pagesresult in patients giving up on life, physician-assisted suicide should be legalized in all fifty states for terminally ill patients with worsening or unbearable pain. What is physician-assisted suicide? â€Å"Suicide is the act of taking ones own life. In assisted suicide, the means to end a patient’s life is provided to the patient (i.e. medication or a weapon) with knowledge of the patients intention† (American Nurses Association). Physician-assisted suicide is known by many names such as deathRead MoreShould Physician Assisted Suicide Be Allowed?895 Words   |  4 PagesShould physicians be allowed to help patients determine the timing and circumstances of their death? The â€Å"right to die† debate is a very sensitive and complex issue in modern culture. While suicide is a legal act in the United States, assisted suicide is not. Opinions on the subject are shaped by countless factors such as ethical issues, social issues, and primarily religious issues. Many people are opposed to the legalization of physician assisted suicide for â€Å"moral† reasons, however, legalizationRead MoreEuthanasia And Physician Assiste d Suicide1629 Words   |  7 Pagesillnesses or major health problems, assisted suicide creates options to reduce the amount of suffering the patient must enduring. Dying with dignity could be beneficial for not only the person who is dying, but also the person’s family and loved ones. This option, however, is often viewed as unethical and immoral throughout society. Physician-assisted suicide offers an option for those with health issues but poses various ethical and social issues. Assisted death is practiced in two differentRead MoreThe Great Debate On Doctor Assisted Suicide Essay1239 Words   |  5 PagesThe Great Debate on Doctor Assisted Suicide Euthanasia, in today’s world, is a word with opposing meanings. Originally, it meant â€Å"a good death† (Leming Dickinson, 2016). Since the legalization of euthanasia around the world in the early 1990’s, the meaning has changed. Several pro-euthanasia sites would call it a humane and peaceful way to end the dying process, by either stopping the course of treatment or the use of lethal doses of medications (Leming Dickinson, 2016). Con-euthanasia activists