Analysis of Euthanasia
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- Date Submitted: 12/09/2012 05:58 AM
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Analysis of Euthanasia |
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HSC545October 29, 2012
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Euthanasia is a highly complex, spiritual and emotional, ethical dilemma that involves issues related to the quality-of-life , the relief of suffering, the right to self-determination, the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence, medical futility, and the ability to prolong life through medical technology. The United States is split between preserving life and the right-to-die. According to Burkhardt and Nathaniel (2008), “The ability to prolong life, or at least to extend the functioning of the physical being, has prompted the necessity of dealing with some very important issues. One dilemma relates to questions of quality of life, and whether physical existence is synonymous with living…. A frequently asked question is whether a person is truly alive in situations where there is merely physiological functioning, without awareness of oneself or others” (p. 232). Comprehensively understanding the euthanasia taboo requires a basic understanding of the history, varying arguments for and against, the differing subtypes, the potential societal impacts of euthanasia (assisted suicide).
Euthanasia: the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit. (The key word here is "intentional". If death is not intended, it is not an act of euthanasia)
Voluntary euthanasia: When the person who is killed has requested to be killed.
Non-voluntary: When the person who is killed made no request and gave no consent.
Involuntary euthanasia: When the person who is killed made an expressed wish to the contrary.
Assisted suicide: Someone provides an individual with the information, guidance, and means to take his or her own life with the intention that they will be used for this purpose. When it is a doctor who helps another person to kill themselves it is called "physician assisted suicide."
Euthanasia...
Analysis of Euthanasia |
|
HSC545October 29, 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Euthanasia is a highly complex, spiritual and emotional, ethical dilemma that involves issues related to the quality-of-life , the relief of suffering, the right to self-determination, the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence, medical futility, and the ability to prolong life through medical technology. The United States is split between preserving life and the right-to-die. According to Burkhardt and Nathaniel (2008), “The ability to prolong life, or at least to extend the functioning of the physical being, has prompted the necessity of dealing with some very important issues. One dilemma relates to questions of quality of life, and whether physical existence is synonymous with living…. A frequently asked question is whether a person is truly alive in situations where there is merely physiological functioning, without awareness of oneself or others” (p. 232). Comprehensively understanding the euthanasia taboo requires a basic understanding of the history, varying arguments for and against, the differing subtypes, the potential societal impacts of euthanasia (assisted suicide).
Euthanasia: the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit. (The key word here is "intentional". If death is not intended, it is not an act of euthanasia)
Voluntary euthanasia: When the person who is killed has requested to be killed.
Non-voluntary: When the person who is killed made no request and gave no consent.
Involuntary euthanasia: When the person who is killed made an expressed wish to the contrary.
Assisted suicide: Someone provides an individual with the information, guidance, and means to take his or her own life with the intention that they will be used for this purpose. When it is a doctor who helps another person to kill themselves it is called "physician assisted suicide."
Euthanasia...