Euthanasia

Abstract

This paper looks at the concept of euthanasia. It discusses the issues that are involved with euthanasia. It also raises legal matters in most cases. Many forms of euthanasia are illegal in most of the countries around the world. This paper reflects the ethical presentations faced by people working in the medical field. The paper raises important questions regarding the status and choices presented to patient who are terminally ill. It discusses issues that are addressed by many institutions. The result of all this research points out to the consent of the patient.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Introduction4

Discussion6

Classification of Euthanasia6

Voluntary Euthanasia6

Non-voluntary Euthanasia6

Involuntary Euthanasia6

Passive and Active Euthanasia7

Euthanasia Movement in United States7

Decision of Euthanasia8

Assessment of conditions8

Substituted Judgment10

Presented Views11

Best Interests Judgment11

The Humanist View11

An imbalanced Life13

Conclusion14

References16

Euthanasia

Introduction

Euthanasia literally means good death. It refers to intentionally ending a person's life. It is done to relieve from intense pain. There are different laws for euthanasia in different countries. In old days the death of a person was an activity witnessed and shared by all in the social circle. The available treatments were rare. Death occurred quickly from even petty diseases such as malaria and pneumonia. The modern societies that we have created fear from death. We have substituted the part of life that was associated with people's extreme sufferings and then death. We have made hospitals, trauma centers and old homes to hide deaths in places not open to the public eye. Death is feared by the society as it ends all the modern facilities of our time. These days, death can be made to linger over the patient for a long time.

The time between serious and irrecoverable diseases and death has prolonged considerably. Modern health systems can even provide artificial life support. Doctors are increasingly asked nowadays to make deaths easier. Roger Bacon believed in the 18th century in euthanasia. There was a case followed by the infamous Louis Pasteur. Six Russians bitten by a mad wolf were to be treated by them. Their condition was so severe that the anti bacterial treatment did not work on them. They suffered from intolerable pain. They asked Louis to end their lives. He gave death pills to them discretely as is customary in these cases. There are many organizations that are working towards legalizing the euthanasia. The number of people supporting euthanasia has increased. Religions although have opposed euthanasia (Paterson 2008).

The Christian view is that a person can opt to remove his life support treatments if he does so in his full conscience. They do not support active euthanasia. The real controversy comes when there is help from the physician to die rather than just removing some treatments. This assisted suicide is the real argument. Advancement in medicine has considerably increased the average age of people. Fatal illnesses now instead of producing quick death produce a prolonged death. This greater life expectancy in people lowers the morality values found in humans. The ease of hospitalization removes the concept of death from our minds. We are shocked these days if a person ...