StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Euthanasia as a Mercy Killing - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper “Euthanasia as a Mercy Killing” focuses on a circumstance where a patient who is terminally ill is given a fatal dose of medicine. A doctor’s participation in the process could be by inserting a needle intravenously into the terminally ill patient…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER95.6% of users find it useful
Euthanasia as a Mercy Killing
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Euthanasia as a Mercy Killing"

Euthanasia as a Mercy KillingEuthanasia, or assisted suicide and also known mercy killing, has been a divisive issue for many centuries. Advocates of the procedure believe that a person’s freedoms of choice they enjoy during their life also apply to decisions made at the end of their life. They also maintain that the same humans should be afforded the same humane treatment given to animals that are severely injured or terminally ill. Opponents of euthanasia say that is a ‘slippery slope’ that could allow occurrences of coerced suicide by family members of the elderly pressuring them not to delay their inevitable death for financial purposes.

Additionally, the procedure would decrease the need for developing new medicines designed to extend life. Those who are against euthanasia for religious reasons claim that it is ‘playing God’ and therefore immoral. Health care professionals allude to the Hippocratic Oath which prevents them from performing the procedure. The word ‘euthanasia’ is derived from Greek origin. The literal meaning is “good death.” Writers during the 1700’s in England wrote of euthanasia being the preferential technique by which to “die well” (“Definition”, 2007).

Euthanasia describes a circumstance where patient who is terminally ill is given a fatal dose of medicine, is taken off a life-support system or is allowed to pass away without active involvement such as resuscitation. A doctor’s participation in the process could be by inserting a needle intravenously into the terminally ill patient who themselves activate a switch that dispenses the fatal dose or to prescribe a fatal dosage of drugs with the specific intent of ending the life. The regrettable reality is that most people in America die a ‘bad death.

’ The majority of Americans (53 percent) consider euthanasia to be ethical and compassionate. 69 percent say they would vote for the euthanasia legalization according to a 2004 Gallup Poll. (“Public Grapples”, 2004). Those who oppose doctor-assisted euthanasia often cite the possibility for doctor abuse. However, recent laws in Oregon and Britain prove that reasonable laws can be crafted that prevent patient abuses and puts emphasis on the value of life. For example, legislation could be written which requires the authorization of two physicians and a psychologist in addition to a practical waiting period, a family members’ endorsement in writing and allows for certain medical conditions.

The euthanasia debate contains impassioned and compelling arguments on both sides of the discussion. Advocates of euthanasia want to diminish needless suffering. Numerous diseases such as cancer are responsible for causing patients to linger while experiencing an excruciatingly painful existence. Witnessing a loved one as they slowing degenerate from a disease that is consuming their vital organs is very difficult for family members. To watch them suffer even after medication is administered is excruciating for the loved ones while the patient must also feel the physical pain.

This physically and emotionally torturous circumstance occurs every day in every hospital yet serves no purpose. To most people, it is unthinkable to allow anyone especially a cherished grandmother, for example, who has cared for others most of her life to endure the few six months of life in constant pain, not capable of controlling bodily functions, vomiting, coughing, convulsing, etc. If grandma were the family pet, most everyone would agree that ‘putting her to sleep’ would be the only humane choice.

Jack Kevorkian was well-known as a martyr for assisting the dying to experience a dignified death, reducing as much of the physical and emotional pain as possible. Euthanasia should not have to be debated and certainly not illegal. When an animal is suffering and dying society does the ‘humane thing’ by allowing it a ‘good death.’ People deserve to be treated humanely as well.Works Cited “Definition of Euthanasia.” Medicine.net. (2007). July 10, 2011 “Public Grapples with Legality, Morality of Euthanasia.

” The Gallup Poll. (July 13, 2004). July 10, 2011

Read More
Tags
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Euthanasia as a Mercy Killing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1427881-euthanasia
(Euthanasia As a Mercy Killing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words - 1)
https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1427881-euthanasia.
“Euthanasia As a Mercy Killing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words - 1”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1427881-euthanasia.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Euthanasia as a Mercy Killing

Euthanasia: the Practice of Ending a Life

Others would find glory in death (Seppuku - Japanese mercy killing).... In the paper “euthanasia: the Practice of Ending a Life” the author discusses the euthanasia, which refers to the practice of ending a life in a painless manner.... euthanasia Outline Opening Meaning of euthanasia - refers to the practice of ending a life in a painless manner Brief informaiton on how it is carried out - pain medications, surgery, cutting of the Life Support Machine Brief information on where euthansia is practised - hospitals, etc End opening....
2 Pages (500 words) Personal Statement

Different Christian Views Surrounding Euthanasia

  Today various synonyms like 'mercy killing' and 'physician-assisted suicide' are associated with this term.... mercy killing has been debated over by many religious heads and has to be addressed seriously because it is a matter of life and death.... Hemel (2005) quotes the Webster defining euthanasia as "the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Against the Legalisation of Euthanasia

Mojsilovic, conducted a survey to define the attitudes and opinions of physicians, supported by medical students and lawyers relating to euthanasia as a problem.... On the other hand, a well-developed palliative care system greatly questions the idea of mercy killing.... Doctors, being under moral, legal and ethical obligations to their patients, cannot harm them, thus the concept of legalised euthanasia is conflicting with Yugoslavian family physicians having a higher rating to use euthanasia as an alternative means to palliative care as against one in every five oncologists (Radulovic & Mojsilovic, 1998)....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Ethical Analysis of Euthanasia

Euthanasia is therefore a way of killing a patient in a state which has been declared fatal and is causing a patient to go through untold hardships and suffering.... The motive is to get the person… In order to do this study, the research will undertake critical analysis of the theory of euthanasia and identify the ethical dilemmas involved in it.... After that, the researcher will examine the relationship between This will be done through the application of a medical theory to the problem of euthanasia decisions....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

What is about 'mercy killing'

However, some diseases make patients to have a lot of that is not only unbearable but also very disturbing to the people around… In an effort to control some of these cases, some governments have developed policies to allow ‘mercy killing' otherwise called euthanasia as the final solution to pain.... The procedure of ‘mercy killing' it is not popular across many populations, therefore it skips the minds of many to imagine whether such a procedure is ever done anywhere in the world....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Euthanasia: Moral And Ethical Questions

Some religious groups and human rights' activists even consider euthanasia as murder.... An essay "euthanasia: Moral And Ethical Questions" claims that a major ethical issue in the field of healthcare is euthanasia.... euthanasia is the practice of putting an end to the life of an individual in order to relieve him/her from the suffering or pain.... nbsp; … The Netherlands' State Commission on euthanasia defines the practice as “the deliberate action to terminate life, by someone other than, and on the request of, the patient concerned” (Somerville, 2001, p....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

The Pros and Cons of Euthanasia and Mercy Killing

Writers of 1700's Britain referred to euthanasia as a being a preferential method by which to 'die well' (“Definition”, 2007).... This paper 'The Pros and Cons of Euthanasia and mercy killing" focuses on the fact that euthanasia, a.... It's worth mentioning that opponents suggest that euthanasia is a 'slippery slope' that would allow increasing instances of coerced suicide.... This paper will examine the moral and ethical concerns surrounding euthanasia, clarify the meaning of the term, present arguments both for and against the practice and conclude with a recommendation to resolve the issue....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Is Euthanasia Ethical

The issue of ethics comes in in relation to consent to carry out the mercy killing as it is commonly referred to.... he other advantage is that when mercy killing is administered, it actually saves on the medical resources which can be used for other patients who depend on it and who can actually get better and live longer than the chronically ill patients in their death beds.... killing the patients in order to save and use those resources for other patients is ethical decision as in the long run, more patients will be saved and good done to them....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us