Those who support euthanasia may believe it is okay to practice this so called type of medicine, because their patients are terminally ill and by ending their life, they are not ending some beautiful gift but instead ending the patient’s misery. Another argument by people in favor of assisted suicide is that if the patient and the family both agree, then there really is no harm in carrying out the patients last wishes. Death can also be looked at by some as an eternal passing…that by ending their lives now they will be able to experience the next life, a better life, a life after death. Although terminally ill patients might not be capable of making a rational decision, and no family member can assume a choice for an incompetent individual without clear and convincing information from the patient. ‘In a quarter of cases, physicians regretted performing euthanasia after the incident and in half of those cases physicians experienced emotional distress’ (Jama 898). After the act of assisted suicide is carried out, there is no room for regret. The patients life has already been ended at the hands of a physician who may not have been sure they were doing the right thing. ‘Not only were there types and levels of str…
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…’ Time. ed. Walter Isaacson. New York: Time Inc., December 7, 1998. p. 46.
‘Euphoria vs. Euthanasia.’ JAMA. Boston: March 24, 1999. Vol 281, No.12 p.1068.
Grace, Julie. ‘Curtains for Dr. Death.’ Time. ed. Walter Isaacson. New York: Time Inc., April 5, 1999. p. 48.
‘Guilty of Murder.’ The Economist. Chicago: April 3, 1999. p. 26
Larsen, Gwen. ‘Family Members’ Experience With Do-Not-Resuscitate.’ Journal of Family Issues. University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha: March 1999. Vol 20, No. 2.
McGinn, Daniel. ‘A Defeat for Dr. Death.’ Newsweek. Chicago: April 5, 1999. p.45-47.
Morrow, Lance. ‘Time for the Ice Floe, Pop.’ Time. ed. Walter Isaacson. New York: Time, Inc., December 7, 1998. p.48
Spudis, Edward. ‘ Oncologists’ Practice of Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide.’ JAMA. Boston: March 10, 1999. Vol 281, No. 10.
Euthanasia Answers the Prayers of the Dying
Euthanasia Answers the Prayers of the Dying
“The good death.” “Dying with dignity.” “Assisted-suicide.” Those are all terms for what doctors call euthanasia. Euthanasia is physician-assisted suicide, carried out by lethal injection or excessive barbiturates. In 1991 Jack Kevorkian assisted two women who were chronically ill to die. This was the first publicized case of euthanasia. Since then lawmakers have wondered if euthanasia should be legal in every state. Since Americans have control over every aspect of their lives, they should have control over if and when they die. If a person is terminally ill they should have the choice to die with dignity or live their death sentence. Mentally competent, terminally ill patients who have no hope for recovery should have the choice to end their lives.
It is very important to first outline a set of guidelines for this law if it was enacted. First of all, patients should be mentally competent. Patients should have complete control over the situation and be in good mental health. Patients with depression should not be allowed the right of Euthanasia because these patients can be helped with therapy. Also, the disease must be terminal with no cures available in the near future. Euthanasia should only be permitted under these strict rules.
The term “Liberty” in our constitution includes the right to die when a person whose death is inevitable wants to die. In an impressive one hundred and twelve-page ruling the state of Washington was told it could not restrict physician-assisted suicide. One of their points for overturning the law was that it violated the term “liberty” in our 14th amendment. The court of appeals in San Francisco became the first federal…
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… was allowed. Since it is not Tana’s family had the horrible experience of coping with this horrible experience.
Tana’s father was so worried about the repercussions his family might endure if they helped him to commit suicide that it drove him to kill himself. Since Tana’s family did not have time to prepare for his death, they felt no closure, no comfort in knowing that his last moments were peaceful.
It is time for the government to sympathize with dying individuals, and allow them to die with dignity. Forcing people to live their final days in constant pain, discomfort, is not ethical. Allowing family members to watch their loved ones suffer day in and day out is heartless and unkind. The demise of these individuals is unnecessary. Physician assisted suicide is the answer to the pain and suffering that Americans are dealing with.