Euthanasia An Ethical Dilemma Essay - 1810 Words

The ethical debate regarding euthanasia dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. It was the Hippocratic School (c. 400B.C.) that eliminated the practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide from medical practice. Euthanasia in itself raises many ethical dilemmas – such as, is it ethical for a doctor to assist a terminally ill patient in ending his life? Under what circumstances, if any, is euthanasia considered ethically appropriate for a doctor? More so, euthanasia raises the argument of the different ideas that people have about the value of the human experience. Philosopher, Ezekial Emanuel, asserts that the ethical belief in the 19th and 20th century in the United States are reminiscent of those today, both in terms of content and†¦show more content†¦In 1997, the United States Supreme Court ruled in a landmark case that, although there was no constitutionally protected right to physician-assisted suicide, states have passed laws allowing it; therefore, the ethical issue of euthanasia remains open to philosophical, political, legal, and ethical challenges. The lack of consensus in American society on the ethical question of euthanasia may be attributed to the complexity and gravity of the issue. This study will discuss and explore the question of under what circumstance is euthanasia considered ethically appropriate? As such, this study will examine the ethics of euthanasia from three different ethically perspectives: (1) the doctor, (2) the assisting non-doctor (i.e. Nurse or family) and (3) the patient who requests/consents. Therefore, it is goal of this author to invite you to study the ethical questions related to the modern issue of euthanasia. This study addressed (1) in detail the history of euthanasia and its significance in society, (2) the legal cases of the topic, (3) the contemporary thoughts, and (4) the thoughts of Plato, Aristotle, and Aquinas. The author has attempted to present the basicShow MoreRelatedThe Ethical Dilemmas Of Euthanasia Essay1638 Words   |  7 PagesThe Ethical Dilemmas of Euthanasia in Canada with the Legalization of Physician-Assisted Suicide This systematic analysis of the professional literature will explore the ethical dilemmas that Canadian medical professionals face while considering euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide, the latter of which was made legal in Canada on June 17, 2016 (Chochinov and Frazee, 2016). This paper will discusses the conflicts that healthcare professionals are faced with when looking at the quality of lifeRead MoreThe Ethical Dilemma of Euthanasia761 Words   |  4 PagesThe Ethical Dilemma of Euthanasia An incredibly controversial issue clouds the minds of millions of people everyday as death confronts them. The problem revolves around the ethics of euthanasia. Should medical assisted suicide be outlawed in all situations or under certain circumstances, could it be considered ethical? Do humans violate nature’s course with science and advanced technology by playing God? Why should doctors and families witness their loved ones suffer when the solutionRead MoreThe Ethical Dilemma Of Euthanasia1085 Words   |  5 PagesBenchmark Assignment: Ethical Dilemmas Euthanasia is most commonly known when used to put down an animal. What about using euthanasia on humans that wish to end their life due to medical reasons? 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This paper will cover the ethical dilemma of euthanasia and howRead MoreThe Ethical Dilemma Of Euthanasia1764 Words   |  8 PagesBenchmark – Ethical Dilemmas The issue of euthanasia is a dispute that has been around since the late 1800’s (Dowbiggin,2003). The act of euthanasia or mercy killing is a debated ethical dilemma that some believe to be morally wrong. While circumstances can differentiate a person’s justification, there is always another perspective to consider where euthanasia is involved. In my paper I will dive into Case Study 2, which deals with the discussion of euthanasia according to the Christian worldviewRead MoreThe Ethical Dilemmas Of Euthanasia Essay2007 Words   |  9 Pagesthe literature currently available on the ethical dilemmas of euthanasia and PAS that have arisen in Canada since its legalization. This Literature Review is organized into six sub-categories: (1) the law (2) medical issues (3) patient capacity and autonomy (4) expenditures: palliative care vs. assisted suicide (5) family (6) ethics. This review will offer a foundational understanding of the practices of euthanasia and PAS and defi ning the various dilemmas that have arisen for medical professionalsRead MoreThe Ethical Dilemma Of Voluntary Euthanasia1125 Words   |  5 Pagesto consider the serious ethical dilemma of voluntary euthanasia. Is euthanasia murder or a justifiable suicide? Our approach and opinions to this sensitive ethical dilemma is sharply contrasted based in our convictions and ethics derived from our own personal worldview. I will evaluate and examine euthanasia’s ethical dilemma according to my Christian worldview and compare the moral rules, right or wrong, that many believe, allowing man to suffer is immoral. Ethical Dilemma Joni is a young adult who