jeudi 14 mai 2015

Ethical Issues In Assisted Suicide States

By Tammie Caldwell


Euthanasia is the act of mercy killing and is done either on animals and humans. However, this has been banned in many countries since devout pro life religious sectors have strongly opposed this. The topic is getting hotter once again when some states in America including Vermont, Washington, and Oregon. However, there are requirements that need to be met. This will be the last resort that the physician can come up for hopeless terminally ill patients.

This, however, should be the last resort. A physician or any medical practitioner has no right to initiate it especially if it is against the will of the patient. Pro life advocates, especially the Catholic Church strongly oppose this. These assisted suicide states have been criticized by such groups. But even in territories where the act is legal, they do not recommend the practice to medical practitioners, and most especially, the patients.

However, before this is resorted to and before medical professionals approve, there has to be a request from the patient who must be very sure and is in his or her stable cognitive sense upon request. In addition, witnesses must be there which constitutes the doctor and a non relative. Moreover, the patient should have been diagnosed six months prior by two different doctors who both ruled that he or she has six months only to live.

This topic has been spurred once again because of the Brittany Maynard, who requested to be euthanized because she wanted to end her suffering from brain cancer. She died in two thousand four when her request was granted. She was one of the advocates of assisted death. Some states are now passing bills regarding the legalization of such act.

When this issue has flooded the media and has created a lot of opinion clashes, a lot of bills that are yet to be approved has reached the tables of the Supreme Court. In two months time early this year, there were already around ten passed, not including those passed last year. Lawmakers and state officials are the ones who carry the heavy responsibility of approving or rejecting the proposed bills.

She finalized her decision in November of last year and she died on the same month. She was also an advocate of the movement to legalize doctor assisted suicide. It has stirred a controversy in the social, cultural, spiritual, and political areas of the society worldwide.

Various groups have opposing opinions. In the first few months of twenty fifteen, around ten states have already passed a bill waiting for approval from the Supreme Court, not to mention other states that have passed bills as well the previous year. Politicians and legislators have also been divided with this and they are having dilemma in weighing decisions.

Maynard has created a great impact, both negative and positive to the society. The bills passed on are yet to be approved and as always, there are two sides of the coin. Perspectives regarding the issue are divided and everyone has the right to express how they feel about the issue. Among the different realms affected, the political realm is most pressured.

Regulators and law bodies must be able to wisely weigh their final decision. It is very complicated to come up with amendments that assure a win win result. Negative and positive implications have been seen regarding this, depending on the culture, religious, and ethical views of individuals.




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