John's Ethical Dilemma
In this case John is seeking to have a lethal injection administered by his doctors in order to alleviate the pain he is suffering as a result of stomach cancer. John’s exact words to his doctors were, “put me out of my misery.” As we review this case it is important to understand that John is under great distress and great pain understandably speaking and although we respect and honor his decision there is an ethical dilemma to the lethal treatment he so desperately seeks. First, we must address the Hippocratic Oath of our doctors who administered an oath to not take part in suicide or killings of their patience. There is a moral and ethical dilemma in a physician’s direct action that leads to the death of their patient, even if the individual state has allowed such practice
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Rae (2009) refers to this as “personal autonomy” which claims the individual has the “right to die” and should have ultimate say over their personal matters including death (p. 227-228). The ethical issue with this approach would be the limitless scenarios of peoples desperate attempts to end their lives because of depression, a broken heart, or failed marriages. If morality tells us it is not right to take a human life, should it also not include our own? When did we become our own gods and determine our fate? Finally, we cannot ignore the fact that John is in fact suffering and therefore in a seriously desperate state. My recommendation would be to ensure our doctors have exhausted all possible pain relieving medications that would alleviate his pain first. Alongside, ensure John is not motivated by desperation or outside influences that may have clouded his decision to die naturally. And ultimately, I cannot not recommend the application of physician assisted suicide as my convictions prevent me from taking part this
Rae (2009) refers to this as “personal autonomy” which claims the individual has the “right to die” and should have ultimate say over their personal matters including death (p. 227-228). The ethical issue with this approach would be the limitless scenarios of peoples desperate attempts to end their lives because of depression, a broken heart, or failed marriages. If morality tells us it is not right to take a human life, should it also not include our own? When did we become our own gods and determine our fate? Finally, we cannot ignore the fact that John is in fact suffering and therefore in a seriously desperate state. My recommendation would be to ensure our doctors have exhausted all possible pain relieving medications that would alleviate his pain first. Alongside, ensure John is not motivated by desperation or outside influences that may have clouded his decision to die naturally. And ultimately, I cannot not recommend the application of physician assisted suicide as my convictions prevent me from taking part this