Legalization of Euthanasia (Nursing Ethics)

Running head : NURSING ETHICS

Euthanasia or Physician Assisted Suicide : Differences in Ethical Views

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Euthanasia or Physician Assisted Suicide : Differences in Ethical Views

Based on the fact that there are cases wherein a patient has no chance of recovery or is currently suffering through intense pain due to a disease which cannot be solved by present medical means , the concept behind euthanasia or physician assisted suicide is to allow these individuals to die in a relatively merciful and peaceful manner (Hendrick , 2000 . As human death

is a serious issue , euthanasia or physician assisted suicide has been associated with ethical concerns some are in support while others are in hopes of eliminating it the end or the aim however of this debate , is to decide whether it is acceptable to be legalized or not As mentioned , euthanasia is associated with heated ethical debate regarding whether it should be allowed by law or not . In this sense , it is best to first identify the ethical arguments aimed at justifying euthanasia or physician assisted suicide . The principle of autonomy , one of the main ethical arguments used in support of euthanasia , pertains to the point that patients indeed have the capacity and the right to choose and decide for themselves (Hendrick , 2000 . This argument is made effective only in a limited scope due to the presence of different types of euthanasia . It is important to consider that euthanasia may both be voluntary or involuntary , which pertains to differences in terms...