Argumentative Essay: What´s Active Euthanasia Justified?

There are also two procedural classifications of euthanasia which are passive, and active euthanasia. Passive euthanasia is when a doctor prescribes a patient increasing doses of medication which can be toxic. Although, it is the not doctors intentions to harm or kill the patient, this is still the ending product. Active euthanasia is when lethal or fatal substances are used to end a patient's life either by the doctor or by the patient himself/herself

According to my ethical theory, the woman should die because that is not murder, it is natural causes. It may seem harsh, but God knows when we will live and die, and sometimes a woman is not supposed to live through her pregnancy. If the baby dies, it is murder because the baby had a chance at life, but it was prevented from experiencing life. Life is so important to God that he says anyone who murders should die. In the book of Exodus, God said whoever kills a baby should suffer the same fate.

The act of euthanising somebody can either be voluntary, in which the person believes their life is not worth living and asks for their life to be ended, or non-voluntary, in which they are unable to do so, and the decision on whether to end their life rests on doctors and family. Furthermore, there are different ways in which it could be performed: through medical intervention, (deliberately ending the patient’s life using medical equipment, such as through lethal injection), or medical non-intervention, (not making any efforts to prolong their life). Both will inevitably end the patient’s life, however, not

Some examples of a terminal illness include cancer, stroke, and ALS. Many people disagree with assisted suicide, but it is the better choice for those who do not what their disease to change who they are. The main arguments to allow this in our country is that the tremendous amount of pain and suffering of the patient will end, euthanasia, and health care costs will be reduced. Some people may choose to live their life with dignity and end their life in dignity, but assisted suicide would allow the choice to be their own. The pain a person can go through is a tremendous amount, especially those who are dying from a terminal illness.

The government is saying that physicians are role models and should be viewed as people who save lives, not people who take life away. Opponents contend that physician-assisted suicide undermines doctors’ roles in society. According to American Medical Association, “Allowing physicians to participate in assisted suicide would cause more harm than good” (Fuller). The community looks up to doctors, especially the sickly elders. They might be influenced to seek help in easing their suffering.

Although there are many positive aspects of medically assisted suicide, there are also many negative aspects. Those who disagree with assisted suicide feel as though it is unethical. How is it ever right for us to purposefully kill another human being. As a health care providers role, it is their duty to do whatever they can to maintain the wellness of their patient. According to 8 Main Pros and Cons of Legalizing Physician Assisted Suicide (2014), all health care providers must follow the Hippocratic Oath, which in it states that physicians are unable to give deadly medications to a patient, whether requested or not and they aren’t allowed to suggest it to a terminally ill patient either.

But in Donald’s case it was the total opposite. He went to the hospital with his mind already made up to die, which goes against what the doctors have being taught to do, and the principle of beneficence. The doctors decided to reject his autonomy because they knew he had an immense possibility of having a happy live and not just simply acting in a paternalistic way. In the end the doctors decisions was the right choice, when Donald stated, “I am enjoying life now, and I’m glad to be alive” (Munson6).

“I think those who have a terminal illness and are in great pain should have the right to choose to end their lives, and those who help them should be free from prosecution,” -Stephen Hawking. Assisted suicide is a physician assisted suicide, in which they give medication that allows for a painless and quick death that ends the suffering of people with the illness. Assisted suicide is illegal in 47 states and is usually last resort. Assisted suicide may remove all of the pain quickly and painlessly, but is not reasonable in most people’s cases.

The definition of right to die according to Cambridge Dictionary is “Right to die is the belief that a person should be allowed to die naturally rather than being kept alive by medical methods when they are suffering and unlikely to get well (Cambridge Dictionary).” While other websites have definition for right to die, some don’t have a definition because they claim that there is not definition for it. Right to die could be active euthanasia, passive euthanasia, suicide, and an assisted suicide. Active euthanasia is when a person is intervening to end someone’s life while passive euthanasia is when a person is withholding and withdrawing treatment to maintain life. “Assisted suicide is suicide committed by someone with assistance from another

Passive euthanasia refers to the withdrawal of treatment that keeps the patient alive. Voluntary euthanasia means that the patient requests assisted suicide, while involuntary euthanasia means that it is done against the patient’s will. Euthanasia started in both the Roman Empire and Greece. In ancient Rome, euthanasia was considered a crime and was taken as murder. In general, Greece accepted euthanasia for patients who are suffering from extreme pain.

However, they do believe that when a person is dying it is acceptable to forgo extraordinary therapies, treatments if it is okay with the family members. They should not feel obligated to extend their life by means that are unreasonable to them. The Buddhist religion also oppose to physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia they are taught to have a great respect for life. However, they believe that life does not have to be preserved at all times especially if a person is dying. Meaning that if a terminally ill person wants to refuse treatment at any time they could do so.