EUTHANASIA

Euthanasia



Abstract

There are numerous ethical, psychological, medical, and legal issues that come along with a request for euthanasia by a terminally ill patient. The issues involved in the practice of euthanasia are not only controversial but complex and challenging in nature, as well. The health care professionals must first establish the rationality and autonomy of a request for death, and that the decision is not affected by a psychological problem like depression, which could be treated. In addition, laws, and ethical dilemmas should also be taken into account before the execution of euthanasia.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Discussion1

Types1

Professional Care2

Ethical Issues3

Legal Issues3

Impact of Culture4

Religion4

Psychosocial Issues5

Conclusion6

References7

Euthanasia

Introduction

Euthanasia is a Greek term that means 'good death. It refers to the process of easing a person's suffering by death. The most important aspect of euthanasia is the manner in which the patient is killed i.e. with peace of mind and minimal mental and physical pain inflicted.

The term euthanasia also has the connotation of taking the life of a terminally ill person out of mercy to lessen their pain. Usually, euthanasia is understood to be practiced by a second party. According to Essex (2000), euthanasia is an act or premeditated exclusion carried out by oneself or others with the purpose of killing a person and actually causing their death; where the agent acts on the belief that the death will ease the pain and suffering of the person being killed.”

Discussion

Types

Voluntary Euthanasia

It is voluntary euthanasia when a third party deliberately ends the life of a person with their consent.

Non-voluntary Euthanasia

Here, a third person makes the decision to kill a person based on the previously expressed wishes to do so of the individual, as they themselves are unable to ask for euthanasia.

Assisted Suicide

It is counted as a form of suicide when a person gets assistance in the form of information, guidance, or medication from a third party to take their own life.

Physician Assisted Suicide

When a doctor provides a person with information, guidance, or medication with the help of which they can take their own life (Butts & Rich, 2005).

Professional Care

Healthcare professionals only agree to perform euthanasia for a patient who has an incurable disease and is terminally ill due to it. The doctors perform euthanasia on the prima facie principle of beneficence, to put an end to the acute suffering a person when they do not stand a chance at life by any means because of their incurability; however, doctors only carry out euthanasia at the voluntary request of a mentally competent patient, respecting their autonomy to make that crucial decision.

Doctors face a dilemma when presented with euthanasia case. They are torn between moral and ethical principles and their duty as a healthcare professional working to lessen the suffering of the human; along with the duty towards a patient who pleads to be released from their pain by exercising their autonomy through requesting assistance in their own deaths (Begley, 1988).

Ethical Issues

The utilitarian view allows for euthanasia if it results in the release of a patient from extreme levels of ...