Healthcare issue

Euthanasia

An analysis of medical ethics and its governance

Abstract

Euthanasia remains an important issue in the treatment of the terminally ill patients . Public , physicians and law makers seem to be divided on euthanasia . While some consider the developments of medical science to only aid the quality of life and not to take it away , some others see the need to alleviate pain and sufferings through death as a responsibility of medical science . Euthanasia and assisted suicide can bring relief to the terminally ill apart from giving them a dignified

death . While the laws are rigid on the issue , there are indications that we are moving forward to permit euthanasia

Table of Contents

History 4

Issues raised 6

Governmental Involvement 8

Current Euthanasia policy of Oregon 9

Euthanasia Bill to be passed in Washington 10

Conclusion 12 References 13

History

The term `euthanasia ' is formed from the Greek terms `eu ' and `thanatos which mean `good ' and `death ' respectively (Kearney , 2003 . The term has several meanings just like most other terms in our language however the implications here are immense . There are several forms of euthanasia like active and passive euthanasia , voluntary , non-voluntary and involuntary euthanasia . Active euthanasia occurs when a person or physician plays an active role by directly causing the patient 's death like giving excessive amount of pain killers . On the other hand passive euthanasia is brought about by an act of omission like not providing a treatment or withdrawing the treatment . Some people do not agree with...