Facts And Ethics Behind Euthanasia Essay Research 2

Facts And Ethics Behind Euthanasia- Essay, Research Paper

Facts and Ethics Behind Euthanasia-

Euthanasia is defined by The American Heritage Dictionary as

“the action of killing an individual for reasons considered to be

merciful” (469). Here, killing is described as the physical action

where one individual actively kills another. Euthanasia is tolerated

in the medical field under certain circumstances when a patient is

suffering profoundly and death is inevitable. The word “euthanasia”

comes from the Greek eu, “good”, and thanatos, “death,” literally,

“good death”; however, the word “euthanasia” is much more difficult to

define. Each person may define euthanasia differently. Who is to

decide whether a death is good or not. Is any form of death good. All

of these questions can be answered differently by each person. It is

generally taken today to mean that act which a health care

professional carries out to help his/her patient achieve a good death.

Suicide, self-deliverance, auto-euthanasia, aid-in-dying,

assisted suicide — call it what you like — can be justified by the

average supporter of the so-called “right to die movement” for the

following reasons: The first reason is that an advanced terminal

illness is causing unbearable suffering to the individual. This

suffering is the most common reason to seek an early end. Second, a

grave physical handicap exists that is so restricting that the

individual cannot, even after due care, counseling, and re-training,

tolerate such a limited existence. This handicap is a fairly rare

reason for suicide; most impaired people cope remarkably well with

their affliction, but there are some who would, at a certain point,

rather die. We say that there is a second form of suicide; justifiable

suicide, that is a rational and planned self-deliverance from a

painful and hopeless disease which will shortly end in death. I do not

think the word “suicide” sits well in this context but we are stuck

with it. Suicide is the taking of one’s own life. Why does the term

euthanasia even exist. Is euthanasia not suicide. A differentiation

must be made between the two. Suicide is condoned by society as being

unacceptable but euthanasia is viewed as moral and acceptable in most

instances. The term “self-deliverance” is difficult to understand

because the news media is in love with the words “doctor-assisted

suicide”. This is because the news media is dissecting the notion of

whether or not doctors, who are supposed to preserve life, should

partake in euthanasia. The media is failing to look at the actual

issue of euthanasia, but instead, they are looking at the decision of

whether or not doctors should assist in euthanasia. Also, we have to

face the fact that the law calls all forms of self-destruction

suicide.

There are ethical guidelines for euthanasia. If the following

guidelines are met, then euthanasia is considered acceptable. The

person must be a mature adult. This is essential. The exact age will

depend on the individual but the person should not be a minor who

would come under quite different laws. Secondly, the person must have

clearly made a considered decision. An individual has the ability now

to indicate this with a living will (which applies only to

disconnection of life supports) and can also, in today’s more open and

tolerant society, freely discuss the option of euthanasia with

health-care professionals, family, lawyers, etc. The euthanasia must

not be carried out at the first knowledge of a life-threatening

illness, and reasonable medical help must have been sought to cure or

at least slow down the terminal disease. I do not believe in giving up

life the minute a person is informed that he or she has a terminal

illness. Life is precious, you only live once, and it is worth a

fight. It is when the fight is clearly hopeless and the agony,

physical and mental, is unbearable that a final exit is an option. The

treating physician must have been informed, asked to be involved, and

his or her response been taken into account. The physician’s response

will vary depending on the circumstances, of course, but they should

advise their patients that a rational suicide is not a crime. It is

best to inform the doctor and hear his or her response. For example,

the patient might be mistaken. Perhaps the diagnosis has been misheard

or misunderstood. Patients raising this subject were met with a

discreet silence or meaningless remarks in the past but in today’s

more accepting climate most physicians will discuss potential end of

life actions. The person must have a Will disposing of his or her

worldly effects and money.

This shows evidence of a tidy mind, an orderly life, and

forethought, all things which are important to an acceptance of

rational suicide. Th

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