Physician-Assisted Suicide Is Always Wrong

According to the article The Ethics of Euthanasia, “The term “euthanasia” is derived from Greek, literally meaning “good death”. Euthanasia is a drug that is used for assisted suicides. When someone is in critical pain they confide in doctor 's to intentionally help kill them. The use of euthanasia and assisted suicide is a controversial subject to society because many people believe it is wrong but the ones who are actually in pain believe it’s their right.

Most people would never contemplate whether or not to end their family pet’s suffering, so why can’t people be as sympathetic to their family and friends? In today’s society, the legalization of physician-assisted suicide is one of the most debatable topics. The debates on physician-assisted suicide go back and forth between whether or not patients, specifically terminally ill patients, should have the right to die with the aid of doctors. Opponents believe physician-assisted suicide is morally and ethically wrong for patients to end their lives, and they believe it violates basic medical standards. However, proponents of physician-assisted suicide believe it is a humane and safe way for terminally ill patients to resolve their agony. After researching both sides of the argument, it is clear that the benefits of physician-assisted suicide outweigh the disadvantages. The benefits of ending a patient’s pain and suffering, minimizing the emotional and financial effects on families, and preserving the right for patients to decide their own fate, supports the legalization of physician-assisted suicide.

Physician assisted suicide and/or Euthanasia is very controversial involving the topic of ethics. In ethics, when determining what is deemed substantially right or wrong, there is tremendous difficulty in finding a true black or white. To better explain, “physician assisted suicide is defined as the deliberate termination of a patient’s life by administering a lethal drug through a direct or indirect help from a physician” (Youngman, 2013). Throughout the text, what will be examined is assisted suicide influenced by the German philosopher, Immanuel Kant. Since almost every ethical issue arises when a matter concerning two remarkably different possibilities conflict with one another, the theory of Immanuel Kant may be able to find a definitive solution to this concerning ethical issue pertaining to euthanasia and/or physician assisted suicide.

It is believed that once practicing physician-assisted suicides becomes an acceptable concept in society, the next steps will easily be taken toward unethical actions such as involuntary euthanasia. Edmund D. Pellegrino, MD, Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Medical Ethics at Georgetown University claims that our healthcare system is too obsessed with costs and principles of utility. He defies the belief that the slippery slope effect is no more than a prediction, by reminding the outlooks and inclinations of our society. Furthermore, he believes there comes a day that incompetent patients and those in coma won’t be asked for their permission to use euthanasia. The Netherlands is another example of such misuse.

“I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion.” The intent of a doctor is one that should be pure and selfless, one that should prolong the life of a patient, not terminate it. In the noble profession of medicine, there have been great controversies that have left one world split into two. Euthanasia, by definition, is the “painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma.” The practice of assisting

I believe they should have to abide by the same laws because they are still humans that can make decisions. If there is someone that is believed to not be able to take care of themselves should be under full time supervision. This is so that they don 't lose control of themselves and some can help them through life.

Euthanasia and Suicide. Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.kc-cofc.org/39th/Lectures/2002 Manuscripts/Jenkins-Euthanasia_and_Suicide. PDF Manning, M. (1998). Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide: killing or caring?. New York: Paulist

Physician assisted suicide is a current controversial issue that has been debated over since the colonial days of the United States. The Oxford dictionary defines assisted suicide as, “the act of killing himself/herself with help of somebody such as a doctor, especially because he/she is suffering from a disease that has no cure.” Although the definition seems like a doctor can put easily put a suffering patient out of their pain and misery by euthanizing the patient, the concept is much more complex than that. Euthanizing and medically assisting a patient to commit suicide are two completely different things. According to The World Federation of Right to Die Societies, “euthanasia usually means that the physician would act directly, for instance by giving a lethal injection, to end a patient’s life.”

Is physician-assisted suicide really something that should be considered in the United States or even the world? No matter what your opinion is, Katherine Jean Lopez makes a compelling argument about why it shouldn’t even be considered. Her article Rejecting the Culture of Suicide can make even the most stubborn reader listen to what she has to say about physician-assisted suicide. With her use of ethos, pathos, and logos, Lopez is able to tug at the heartstrings of any reader as well as inform each one about the negative effects of suicide. In this essay I will explore the ways Lopez turns the article into a melting pot of facts, opinions, and real life stories in order to convince the readers that physician-assisted suicide should be illegal everywhere.

Delbeke discusses how some people believe assisted suicide should not just be up to physicians to perform. Some people feel that, depending on the task, even nurses, social workers and clergy could perform the suicide. A benefit of this would be less responsibility and burden on the physician, but there are more bad factors. If it starts to become acceptable to let non-physicians perform assisted suicide then more people may become involved than necessary. Delbeke provides information that she thinks assisted suicide would become institutionalized and a certain routine would come about.

Assisted Suicide: Right or Wrong? Countless people all around the world are living in constant pain and misery. They have been diagnosed with chronic conditions or have suffered severe injuries that they can never fully recover from.

A negative of assisted suicide is that not only can it affect the patient, but it can affect the people around them who do not support their plan. A family member of the patient can become depressed if their family member chooses to end their life. It can ruin relationships between the patient and the family. It can make the patient’s journey difficult if the family refuses, and it can corrupt the practice of medicine by using medicine in a harmful way to people (Anderson). Assisted Suicide can attract vulnerable patients, bullied by rogue doctors, grasping relatives, miserly insurers, or cash- strapped state (“The Right to Die”).

Critics believe that medicine should be used to heal rather than kill. They think that allowing physician assisted suicide poisons the relationship between doctors and patients. Third, physician assisted suicide would harm our entire culture, especially our family and intergenerational obligations. People who care for disabled or elderly relatives may view them as burdens and may pressure them to choose assisted suicide ( Anderson

Despite the confusion surrounding these subject, it is argued here that physician assisted suicide and active euthanasia are ethical under certain conditions and should be legalized in a manner which will allow these procedures to be carried out appropriately. There is often confusion about what physician assisted suicide and active euthanasia are. Therefore, it is important to define the terms, active euthanasia is the process in which a

According to Paul Keating “Euthanasia is a Threshold Moment We Should Not Cross” from The Sydney Morning Herald, euthanasia is a negative form of treatment for patients with terminal illnesses and has negative effects on other aspects of society. Multiple studies are referenced and examples are given to support the authors claim that euthanasia is wrong and should be avoided. The use of euthanasia is related to assisted suicide or the intentional killing of a patient by physicians. The author also discusses the idea of safeguards that are said to be put in place to protect the patient from any consequences other than to put them out of their pain and misery.