Future Physician Assisted Suicide Case Study

OUTLINE Title: Physician Assisted Suicide: Right to life, Right to death I. A. Introduction 1. (problem – PAS): In today’s society, Physician Assisted Suicide is one of the most questionable and debatable issues. Many people feel that it is wrong for people to ask their doctor to help them end their life; while others feel it is their right to choose between the right to life and the right to death. “Suffering has always been a part of human existence.” (PAS) “Physicians have no similar duty to provide actions, such as assistance in suicide, simply because they have been requested by patients. In deciding how to respond to patients ' requests, physicians should use their judgment about the medical appropriateness of the request.” (Bernat, JL) Physician Assisted Suicide differs from withholding or discontinuing medical treatment, it consists of doctors providing a competent patient with a prescription for medication to aid in the use to end their life.

According to Paul J. van der Wal et al. in ¨Euthanasia, Physician-Assisted Suicide, and Other Medical Practices Involving the End of Life in the Netherlands, 1990–1995¨, he addresses that assisted suicide should be legal and regulated. The authors’ purpose of writing this journal article is to make reliable estimates of euthanasia; to describe patients and physicians, and to evaluate changes between 1990 and 1995. Even though assisted suicide is a growing taboo, it is being practiced more each and every day. Paul J. van der Wal et al. chose to conduct two studies to answer their hypotheses.

3. The comedian bantered back and forth with the audience to pass time. 4. In New England, we have a bountiful supply of fresh seafood. 5. A congested nose is a sign that you may be getting the flu. 6. Failing a final exam is a detriment to your grade. 7. Since diamond is such a durable material, it can only be cut by another diamond.

I believe physician assisted suicide should be legal because it is your right and better to do it with a doctor than by yourself at home.

Physician-assisted suicide is a personal, divisive, and greatly debated issue in the United States of America. The contentious nature of physician-assisted suicide makes it ideal to be solved by a national referendum. The American Medical Association defines physician-assisted suicide as “when a physician facilitates a patient’s death by providing the necessary means and/ or information to enable the patient to perform the life ending act.” Only four states in the United States of America have legalized physician-assisted suicide; however, a recent Gallup poll showed that fifty-one percent of Americans supported legalizing physician-assisted suicide. The distinct divisions among the American public on whether or not physician-assisted suicide

Do no harm. This used to be the heart of all medicine. But now our public is introducing just the contrary of this. When physician-assisted suicide becomes legal throughout the United States, no longer will we be stumbling on the fact that someday, somewhere, and somehow we will die unexpectedly or possibly expectedly, with everything the doctors could do to save us; but now we can die on our own guidance. Physician-assisted suicide is a debated subject that often divides the public between those who support it versus those who oppose it. There are some individuals who believe that patients suffering from chronic and fatal illnesses should be allowed to die on their own terms and in peace. And there are some individuals who oppose

The life of Joan was anything far from normal. Weighing less than 100 pounds for more than five years, she has found herself suffering from something far worse than the tribulations of a typical middle-aged woman. Starting at a young age, Joan strove for perfection in order to please her parents, but there were a number of things that prevented her from completely doing so, including being overweight. Joan also suffered a huge loss when her brother’s life was taken by a car incident that happened under her supervision. This led her parents to be overprotective and probably led to an unhealthy relationship between Joan and them. Eventually, Joan got married and became pregnant, gaining 80 pounds in the process. Due to relational apathy and discord, her and her husband opted for a divorce, which drove her and her son back to living with her parents. Months later, Joan and her son were involved in a

After asking about any nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea L.J.H stated, “At this moment I do not have any problems with nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea, but when I first arrived at the hospital I did feel sick which lead to me vomiting. I think it was because of my abdominal pain.” When asked what L.G.H’s typical diet would be she stated, “In the morning I will usually have eggs, toast and milk with some hot water. For lunch I usually eat leftovers from the night before or just make myself and sandwich. I don’t really each a lot of snacks. For dinner I usually have something with protein or starch with a side of veggies. I am usually good at eating what is okay for me. I have a lot of allergies so I don’t like to change up what I eat a lot.” After asking about alcohol or caffeine use L.J.H stated, “I never drank alcohol and I avoid caffeine.” When asked about the use of stool softeners at home L.J.H stated, “No I do not use stool softeners.”

According Fink (1992), in 1939, the former London Asylum opened a Metrazol clinic. Metrazol was first used in clinical experiments by Hungarian physician, Ladislaus von Meduna in 1933 (Fink, 1992). The Hungarian physician explained that inducing epileptic convulsions with insulin may "cure" schizophrenia. His results came from his observations of

This case study discusses the moral problems associated with physician-assisted suicide. The Catholic Church is apposed to such euthanasia because it transgresses God's commandment not to kill innocent life, it usurps God's sovereignty over human lives, and it violates obligations to serve others and the common good (Pg. 318). I can understand why the Catholic Church would be apposed to physician-assissted suicide, however I do not take this position. I support Oregon's Death with Dignity Act. Statistics show only a very small percent of patients, 0.132 percent, chose to end their life with euthanasia under this law between 1998 and 2010. Although Christians view such a suicide equally as wrong as murder, these beliefs are not shared by all

According to the CNN article physician assisted suicide is legal in 5 U.S. states with each state monitoring and establishing their guidelines to follow. The guidelines help to specify rules and regulations in order to protect all parties involved. If I was in a state that did not protect physician assisted suicide then I would look to change the law by creating a case law,in which allows someone that has a terminal illness,and is obviously in a state of suffering a long agonizing death to make their wishes known and allow them to choose when they can die and no longer be sick and suffer.

Hippocrates said it best when he stated that “wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.” Throughout history, the purpose of practicing medicine was to alleviate ailments, treat diseases, and cure illnesses. Palliative care is a field of medicine that focuses on treating patients with advanced, often untreatable illnesses. As such, palliative care is designed to relieve pain and maintain a good quality of life for patients nearing the end of their lives. There are treatments available that provide pain suppression for the comfortability of the patient. However, there are illnesses that do more than just causing pain. Terminal illnesses such as Huntington’s disease can cause one to lose control of their body and ultimately the loss of personal autonomy. Often times, patients reach a vegetative state, which is a loss of all cognitive functions. Loss of autonomy has a detrimental effect on quality of life, and that is why there is an option for physician assisted suicide (PAS). Physician assisted suicide involves the physician writing a prescription for medication in which the patient takes with the purpose of overdosing (Dees et al). Currently, PAS is legal in Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, and Vermont (Death with Dignity). PAS allows for patients with terminal illnesses to choose when they want to pass. As such, PAS is referred to as the Death with Dignity Act (Death with Dignity), because it allows the patients to demonstrate their

Summary: On Wednesday, the California Assembly passed a bill that would allow those who are terminally ill to end their lives via physician-assisted suicide. The bill is now awaiting Senate approval. If the Senate approves the measure by Friday, then it will be sent to the governor to be signed into law. The Senate is expected to pass the bill, but some worry that Governor Jerry Brown will veto it due to his religious beliefs. The Senate passed the bill earlier this summer, but pressure from the Catholic Church prevented the legislation from making it out of the Assembly Health Committee. The bill was reintroduced during a special session of Congress last month. With this bill, California could become the fifth state to approve the controversial

IWere any of the questions hard to answer? The question # 9 was most hard to answer for me. I have not any religious preferences, so I haven’t moral dilemma in this case. I believe that individual shouldn’t suffer just for suffer without a hope that things may change for the good. In some states, physician assisted suicide is legal, so here isn’t any violation of the law. This question is not easy for me because a physician which could assist in suicide should be in conflict with the Hippocratic Oath that includes basic ethical principle “Do not harm”.

1. In a usual case of suicide, the family members experience anger, and grieving. a.Handling the suicide of a relative is commonly much harder than dealing with the loss of that relative through natural death.