The Morality Of Voluntary Euthanasia - 1563 Words

Euthanasia, defined as the act of â€Å"putting a person to painless death especially in case of incurable suffering,† is a controversial subject surrounded by many moral dilemmas (Murkey, 2008). Although euthanasia is the overarching term used to describe the act itself, within it are three principal forms: voluntary, non-voluntary and involuntary, each of which pertains to case specific issues. Following The Supreme Court’s recent decision deeming Canada’s controversial law against physician-assisted suicide unconstitutional, I will focus here on the morality of voluntary euthanasia (VE) and physician-assisted suicide (PAS), as well as the legal limitations to which their implementations shall be bound. VE is referred to as â€Å"the intentional act of causing the death of another who is competent and has made the request† (Higgins Altilo, 2007). By minor accounts, PAS differs from VE in the sense that it involves the provision of death hastening medication to a competent patient, after which the act of hastening death is in the patient’s control (Higgins Altilo, 2007). Although the act of administering the medication may differ, as well as the persons so acting, I conclude that the intent of both sorts of acts are equivalent. Therefore, I argue for the decriminalization of both VE and PAS under specific, restrictive, and legally regulated circumstances. The criteria to be followed should be such that the patient in question is suffering from a terminal illness where all otherShow MoreRelatedShould Euthanasia Be Legalized?907 Words   |  4 PagesHippocratic Oath†), directly refuting the morality of voluntary active euthanasia, which is a highly contentious issue in the United States. Voluntary active euthanasia is currently illegal in the United States. However, I believe that patients with terminal illnesses experiencing a lot of pain and misery should have the right to die the way they choose, with dignity, instead of being subjected to agony. People should be able to choose voluntary active euthanasia, if ever need be, which is why I believeRead MoreThe Morality Of Euthanasia By James Rachels1086 Words   |  5 PagesID: 3339147 Active Euthanasia Does James Rachels in â€Å"The Morality of Euthanasia† successfully argue that in at least some cases active euthanasia is morally acceptable? Explain his view and respond to it. In this essay, we are going to analyze the main ideas included in â€Å"The Morality of Euthanasia† by James Rachels to provide a response to the following question: Does James Rachels in â€Å"The Morality of Euthanasia† successfully argue that in at least some cases active euthanasia is morally acceptableRead MoreUtilitarianism and Euthanasia1031 Words   |  5 Pages April 28, 2011 ETHICS The moral issue that I will discuss about is Euthanasia. Euthanasia simplu means bringing the death of another for the benefit of that person and also known as mercy killing. â€Å"When a person carries out an act of euthanasia, he brings about the death of another person because he believes the latters present existence is so bad that she would be better off dead, or believes that unlessRead MoreEssay on Euthanasia a Topic Surrounded by Controversies780 Words   |  4 Pages Euthanasia is a very controversial subject, due to the fact it’s a way of painless killing of a patient suffering from a debilitating disease that cannot be cured, or the patient is in a coma and has no way of coming out of it. In this case some societies consider it’s a good way of dying, as it is done to relieve pain and suffering. Some, especially most of religious individuals, consider this a form of a murder, which raises a question of morality. In this article, the author is discussing the Read MoreThe Ethics Of Non Voluntary Active Euthanasia1050 Words   |  5 PagesThe idea of non-voluntary active euthanasia is not such a disaster, as euthanasia itself. The problem that comes into consideration is when and why it should be used. When euthanasia is non-voluntary and active, such as on a patient with dementia, the ethical decision comes into play if there are episodes of clarity and the patient has or has not mentioned what they want to do at the end of life situations. Principles of deontology suggest duty and obligation. A medical professional in such situationsRead MoreThe Issue Of Euthanasia And Euthanasia888 Words   |  4 Pages Euthanasia by definition is the act or practice of ending the life of someone who is very sick or injured in order to prevent any more suffering. In this controversial matter, are sick or injured people really all that â€Å"euthanasia† is referring to? In America, we have the freedom to choose, but do we have the freedom to choose life over death, or even death over life? Many discussions have led to the issue freedom of choice. Is allowing people to choose death, freedom, or encouraging theRead MoreAssisted Suicide And Voluntary Active Euthanasia Essay1270 Words   |  6 Pagesassisted suicide and voluntary active euthanasia. Physician assisted suicide is when the patient is prescribed lethal medicine by the doctor to commit suicide. While, voluntary active euthanasia is when a physician takes an active role in the action of killing the patient. There is often debate on whether or not any of these actions should be legalized in all states. Physician assisted suicide is legal in Oregon, California, Montana, Vermont, and Washington. Voluntary active euthanasia is illegal throughoutRead MoreThe Dilemma Of Euthanasi Whose Life Is It?1165 Words   |  5 PagesThe Dilemma of Euthanasia The Dilemma of Euthanasia: Whose Life Is It? Andrea R Burroughs Ethics for the Health Care Professionals Dr. Ferhat Zengul November 8, 2014 Abstract The practice of euthanasia is one of the most debatable topics in many countries today. It’s been a pertinent issue in human rights because it affects both legal and ethical issues. This paper will include an overview and clarification of the euthanasia issue. It will also include legal and ethical debates thatRead MoreAssisted Suicide And Voluntary Active Euthanasia Essay1345 Words   |  6 Pagesassisted suicide and voluntary active euthanasia. Physician assisted suicide is when the patient is prescribed lethal medicine by the doctor to commit suicide. Meanwhile, voluntary active euthanasia is when a physician takes an active role in the act of killing the patient. There is often debate on whether or not any of these actions should be legalized in all states. Physician assisted suicide is legal in Oregon, California, Montana, Vermont, and Washington. Voluntary active euthanasia is illegal throughoutRead More Is Euthanasia Morally Acceptable? Essay2334 Words   |  10 Page sare debated by those considering the morality of euthanasia, which is a very controversial topics in America. Euthanasia can be defined as â€Å"bringing about the death of another person to somehow benefit that person† (Pojman). The term implies that the death is intentional. Because there are several different types of euthanasia, it is difficult to make a blanket statement concerning the morality of euthanasia. This paper will discuss the particular morality of the passive and active forms of involuntary