The Ethical Dilemma of Physician Assisted Death
The Ethical Dilemma of Physician Assisted Death
THE ETHICAL DILEMMA OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTED DEATH Euthanasia and more specifically physician assisted suicide is an ethical dilemma facing our society today as more and more of our citizens live longer. I will explain the ethical dilemma for physicians in the process of physician assisted suicide and why some physicians have chosen to ignore ethics and proceed with their heart and mind to assist patients based on the needs of the patient. Should we allow trained professionals to assist those in the latter stages of illness to die with dignity or do we force them and their families to further suffer in life? That is the ethical dilemma. The ethical dilemma for physicians begins with the Hippocratic Oath they take. The classical version of the Hippocratic Oath in medicine has various requirements for physicians. Among those, the physician is required to state that: "I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to that effect," (Hosseini, 2012). "Physician assisted death is not new. Ancient civilizations upheld the right of citizens to kill themselves. For example, many Greeks believed voluntary death was preferable to endless suffering. In fact, physicians upon request, often gave their patients poison," (Friend, 2011). Within the 50 states, only Oregon, Washington, Montana and Vermont have laws permitting physician assisted suicide or death. "Almost all jurisdictions where physician-assisted death is legal require that the requesting individual be competent to make medical decisions at time of assistance," (Menzel and Steinbock, 2013).
This is an important safeguard in the process of physician assisted death, to ensure the decision is made with a clear mind and competent mind. "Although the patient must be able to take the medication independently by his or her own hand, the
THE ETHICAL DILEMMA OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTED DEATH Euthanasia and more specifically physician assisted suicide is an ethical dilemma facing our society today as more and more of our citizens live longer. I will explain the ethical dilemma for physicians in the process of physician assisted suicide and why some physicians have chosen to ignore ethics and proceed with their heart and mind to assist patients based on the needs of the patient. Should we allow trained professionals to assist those in the latter stages of illness to die with dignity or do we force them and their families to further suffer in life? That is the ethical dilemma. The ethical dilemma for physicians begins with the Hippocratic Oath they take. The classical version of the Hippocratic Oath in medicine has various requirements for physicians. Among those, the physician is required to state that: "I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to that effect," (Hosseini, 2012). "Physician assisted death is not new. Ancient civilizations upheld the right of citizens to kill themselves. For example, many Greeks believed voluntary death was preferable to endless suffering. In fact, physicians upon request, often gave their patients poison," (Friend, 2011). Within the 50 states, only Oregon, Washington, Montana and Vermont have laws permitting physician assisted suicide or death. "Almost all jurisdictions where physician-assisted death is legal require that the requesting individual be competent to make medical decisions at time of assistance," (Menzel and Steinbock, 2013).
This is an important safeguard in the process of physician assisted death, to ensure the decision is made with a clear mind and competent mind. "Although the patient must be able to take the medication independently by his or her own hand, the