Alzheimer's Disease Case Studies

Alzheimer’s disease is obviously a terrifying disease to anyone in their early stages. No rational person on the planet would be comfortable in knowing that their brain tissue would significantly deteriorate over the process of the rest of their life. That being said, does this disease justify the elective termination of one’s life? In my personal opinion, no. Alzheimer’s disease is neither considered a terminal disease, nor has been known to cause pain and suffering for the individual with the disease. In Ms. Reese’s case, she is understandably worried and depressed about the progression of the disease. However, depression and fear have not, do not, and will never morally justify death. First, let’s analyze the balance of benefit and harm …show more content…
Reese’s contribution to society. In other words, will Ms. Reese’s absence matter as much as her presence, or vice-versa? Of course it is cynical to weigh whether someone is more valuable dead or alive, but it is a consideration that must be made. Alive, Ms. Reese, as previously mentioned, will eventually become dependent on others and completely incapable of work. Instead, she will become increasingly reliant on caretakers. Dead, on the other hand, she will no longer pose as an imposition to others. Nevertheless, another important factor to consider is Ms. Reese’s family and friends. Sure she will be unable to contribute to society as a whole, her existence is still quite sentimental to her loved ones. If I were placed in the position of either watching someone I love essentially commit suicide in order to avoid a scary, yet virtually painless disease, or take care of that person for the rest of their life, I would most certainly chose to take care of them. Though perhaps burdensome, Ms. Reese may have people in her life that would much rather care for her, despite the cost in terms of both money and time, than allow her and Dr. Campbell to put an end to her …show more content…
Campbell should be well aware that this case doesn’t permit his participation in terms of ending Ms. Reese’s life. If this case were quite different, however, perhaps putting an end to her life would be justified. As mentioned earlier, Ms. Reese was diagnosed with a relatively painless disease, Alzheimer’s. In the earlier stages, Ms. Reese has entered an increasingly pronounced depression. As Dr. Campbell as observed, however, Ms. Reese is still quite mentally competent in her current state. Therefore, we should be able to predict that as time progresses, Ms. Reese will begin to exit this state of depression as her mind enters a virtual state of bliss. If Ms. Reese had been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, however, this situation may very well call for euthanasia. Where as with before, Ms. Reese was perhaps worried and depressed about her future in an increasingly incompetent state, now she is facing a painful and quite uncomfortable path to death. Therefore, in this case, because Dr. Campbell is aware of the severity of a terminal tumor of the brain, and Ms. Reese is more than likely bound to experience a significantly uncomfortable road to inevitable death, it would be best to remove her from this painful situation, as it were, by assisting in her