Is Euthanasia Ethically Wrong
Euthanasia is defined in Webster's Dictionary as "the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reason of mercy (Webster's Dictionary 401). The Hemlock Society defines it as "justifiable suicide, that is rational and planned self-deliverance". The word euthanasia comes from the Greek- eu, which means good and thanatos death. No matter what your definition, euthanasia is ethical, and physicians should be allowed to assist in it legally (Derek Humphry, 18). People usually think of ethical as meaning "conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct" (Webster's Dictionary 398); however, is it ethical to force a person with a terminal illness to suffer when there is no need? No, it is not. But, euthanasia is ethical. Suicide can be justified ethically when and if a terminal illness is causing unbearable suffering and is at an advanced stage. It can also be justified ethically if a horrible physical handicap is so restricting,
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The mental and physical aspects of suffering always go together. When a patient is in that much physical pain, the mental suffering will begin to set in (Kevin P. Glynn 8). It is inhuman for a doctor to refuse such a plea for help. With a patient in agony wouldn't it be better to allow doctors to help patients legally rather than killing patients behind closed doors. This can not only be dangerous, but it puts the doctors at legal risk. Euthanasia should only be a last resort when all other treatment has failed. But why put these doctors at risk when they only want the best for their patients. They only want to help and make sure the patient knows they can always count on and trust in their physician. This is why it must be legal and ethically accepted in the United States for physicians to assist in
The mental and physical aspects of suffering always go together. When a patient is in that much physical pain, the mental suffering will begin to set in (Kevin P. Glynn 8). It is inhuman for a doctor to refuse such a plea for help. With a patient in agony wouldn't it be better to allow doctors to help patients legally rather than killing patients behind closed doors. This can not only be dangerous, but it puts the doctors at legal risk. Euthanasia should only be a last resort when all other treatment has failed. But why put these doctors at risk when they only want the best for their patients. They only want to help and make sure the patient knows they can always count on and trust in their physician. This is why it must be legal and ethically accepted in the United States for physicians to assist in