Euthanasia

AN ETHICAL EVALUATION OF EUTHANASIA

2005 Outline

Euthanasia

Arguments Favoring the Euthanasia

Arguments Against the Euthanasia

Ethical Issues from Nurses Point of View

Conclusion

References

Foreword

This describes Euthanasia that is now taking a major place in the debates among people . Many people are in favor of this process as they think that it is employed in to bring the suffering people to peace while many people are against this process . Most of such opponents are religious people who think that this process is against the

code of ethics and religion . So , both types of arguments , that is , in favor and against , are discussed in this report . Then the ethical issues from nurses ' point of view are also discussed

Euthanasia

Euthanasia occurs when a medical doctor provides the means for death to occur and the patient self administers it . Euthanasia currently is one of the most frequently debated issues in American society . Abundant information indicates Americans are divided on the issue . The debate puts forth such arguments as preservation of life autonomy and the self-determination of individuals older people using up expensive medical services the slippery slope that Euthanasia will eventually lead to involuntary deaths and issues of ethical and moral complicity such as proxy deaths of children . Most people agree that . euthanasia should be reserved for people who are dying from terminal illness Proponents of euthanasia believe dying people are in intractable pain and should be allowed to end their lives and thus their pain . Opponents argue that underutilization of narcotics for pain control leaves terminally ill people in pain . It is said that dying is not painful it is the illness that causes the pain . However , an individual does not have to have a terminal illness to have intractable pain , to which many people with conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia will attest (Raphael , 2001

Little research has been conducted on the etiology of actual cases of Euthanasia . The majority of available data is on suicide among individuals who acted alone . The clinical research , for example , has focused on predicting which people are likely to choose suicide as a means of ending their lives . Predictors of suicide include prior suicide attempt , suicide of a family member , and recent loss of a loved one pain , and psychiatric illness . Depression is one of the most salient features of individuals who contemplate or complete suicide . It has also been found that when individuals received mental health treatment for the depression , the desire to kill them diminished . In addition according to Leenaars , when people are experiencing personal difficulties or have lowered coping capacity , they are at risk of suicide . Having a terminal illness (often cited as a reason for Euthanasia ) may precipitate depression and reduced coping capacity however , terminally ill people are rarely suicidal . To make sound ethical decisions , it is important for all helping professionals to be aware of the many factors involved in and treatments for depression in terminally ill individuals (Ian Dowbiggen , 2003

Providing more and better...