Killing the Dying
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- Category: Politics: Moral Issues
- Date Submitted: 03/05/2010 10:42 AM
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Clint Mott
Mrs. Scraper
AP English
2 March 2010
Killing the Dying
Euthanasia derives from the ancient Greek words eu thanatos meaning “good death”. Euthanasia in more modern terms;however, is any act or omission to end the life of a patient on grounds that his or her life isn't worth living. Euthanasia is an issue consisting primarily of moral and ethical dilemmas. Supporters of euthanasia believe that the right to die is part of our civil rights. Supporters obviously fail to see the problems that arise with euthanasia. The deliberate termination of a life is controversial to medical ethics, and it can be misused and corrupted.
Modern medical ethics and procedure can be traced back to a single document. This document is known as The Hippocratic Oath, written by a philosopher known as Hippocrates. The purpose of the document was to maintain morality between patient and doctor. Euthanasia is a contradiction to this document on more than one condition. Supporters of euthanasia disregard this logical argument against euthanasia. They believe the document is outdated and holds no ground in our significantly advanced world. The Hippocratic Oath should not be taken so lightly. Without this document medical practice would no longer be a matter of morality. Instead it would conform to a matter of technique. Leaving patients defenseless to any corruption in the medical field.
The first violation of The Hippocratic Oath applies directly to physician-assisted suicide. “I will apply for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment [sic] and therapeutic nihilism”(Lasagna). To prescribe a lethal amount of drugs to a patient with or without his/her approval directly violates the folkway above. This piece of the oath is practically screaming “physician-assisted suicide is wrong!”
Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save {text:soft-page-break} a...
Mrs. Scraper
AP English
2 March 2010
Killing the Dying
Euthanasia derives from the ancient Greek words eu thanatos meaning “good death”. Euthanasia in more modern terms;however, is any act or omission to end the life of a patient on grounds that his or her life isn't worth living. Euthanasia is an issue consisting primarily of moral and ethical dilemmas. Supporters of euthanasia believe that the right to die is part of our civil rights. Supporters obviously fail to see the problems that arise with euthanasia. The deliberate termination of a life is controversial to medical ethics, and it can be misused and corrupted.
Modern medical ethics and procedure can be traced back to a single document. This document is known as The Hippocratic Oath, written by a philosopher known as Hippocrates. The purpose of the document was to maintain morality between patient and doctor. Euthanasia is a contradiction to this document on more than one condition. Supporters of euthanasia disregard this logical argument against euthanasia. They believe the document is outdated and holds no ground in our significantly advanced world. The Hippocratic Oath should not be taken so lightly. Without this document medical practice would no longer be a matter of morality. Instead it would conform to a matter of technique. Leaving patients defenseless to any corruption in the medical field.
The first violation of The Hippocratic Oath applies directly to physician-assisted suicide. “I will apply for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment [sic] and therapeutic nihilism”(Lasagna). To prescribe a lethal amount of drugs to a patient with or without his/her approval directly violates the folkway above. This piece of the oath is practically screaming “physician-assisted suicide is wrong!”
Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save {text:soft-page-break} a...