Euthanasia
Throughout the twentieth century, major scientific and medical advances have greatly enhanced the life expectancy of the average person. However, there are many instances where doctors can preserve life artificially. In these cases where the patient suffers from a terminal disease or remains in a "persistent vegetative state” or PVS from which they cannot voice there wishes for continuation or termination of life, the question becomes whether or not the patient has the freedom to choose whether or not to prolong their life even though it may consist of pain and suffering. In answer to this question, proponents of physician-assisted suicide, most notably, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, are of the opinion that not only should patients be able to abstain from treatment, but if they have a terminal and/or extremely painful condition, they should be able to seek out the assistance of a doctor in order to expedite their death with as little pain as possible. People should be given the right to choose euthanasia as a way to end there lives rather than suffering through the endless pain of a terminal illness. Anti-active euthanasia proponents feel that it is the duty of physicians to help and heal patients as opposed to hastening their exit
The act of taking a life is a serious one. The American people are notoriously weary of its implementation, as can be seen in the case of capital punishment. Although, active euthanasia is consensual, the paradox that lingers in the term "physician-assisted suicide" is difficult for lawmakers and citizens alike to consent to. Death is a foregone decision. Every person deserves a choice to live or die. The natural fear people have of suffering and dying and when cure is no longer likely, there are only two alternatives: euthanasia or unbearable pain. People who wish to retain their dignity and choices at the end of life should have the option of a peaceful and gentle death. Euthanasia is one of the most important public policy issues being debated today. Is this a solution or a crime? The outcome of the debate will affect family relationships, interaction between doctors and patients, and concepts of basic morality. Some doctors support euthanasia because they feel that there will always be patients who feel their suffering is senseless, who have made peace with their dying and want to get it over with. Patients still wish to end their lives in spite of the very best pain care and emotional support. If they are in a Permanent Vegetative State of mind (PVS), we should prevent the force-feeding of a patient who has no prospect of recovery and who may not wish to live artificially. from this world. They also fear that the legalization of doctor-assisted suicide may be abused by doctors who do not feel that there is any hope for the patient and counsel them to terminate their life. The state also has an interest in the life of the individual. The individual state was originally set up to protect the rights of individuals and to see that the value of an indiv
Some topics in this essay:
Hemlock Society,
Jack Kevorkian,
Supreme Court,
,
Superior Court,
United Constitution,
Dying Dignity,
Permanent Vegetative,
Lynn Compton,
active euthanasia,
physician-assisted suicide,
Derek Humphrey,
euthanasia ethical,
value individual's life,
hemlock society,
terminal illness,
individual's life,
value individual's,
“auto euthanasia”,
near future,
future especially,
near future especially,
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Approximate Word count = 1194
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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