In the controversial act known as the physician aid-in-dying (PAD) challenges us to question our ethical, religious, and cultural values or beliefs. Although it is tragic and perceived as morally inappropriate, suicide is sometimes the only answer. In certain cases this act is a way to end excruciating pain and suffering through modern medicine. The state of Oregon passed a law known as the Death with Dignity Act in 1994. PAD is defined as “a practice in which a physician provides a competent, terminally ill patient with a prescription for a lethal dose of medication, upon the patient 's request, which the patient intends to use to end his or their own life” (Braddock, and Tonelli). PAD also raises the question, is it a constitutionally guaranteed
…show more content…
PAD is a right, not a privilege; every competent person capable of making their own decisions should have the freedom to determine the time and manner in which they expire. PAD gives us hope that if we ever become terminally ill that we will have the option to die with dignity. Terminally ill patients that are suffering, suffer from more than just physical pain. The patients, in some instances, are forced to endure their loss of independence, which jeopardizes their dignity. PAD empowers these patients with the freedom of knowing they will not have to suffer. Dealing with death is not an easy task, but PAD provides comfort not only in the minds of the patients, but their loved ones as well. The patient’s friends and relatives will have a piece of mind knowing that their loved one did not have to endure anymore pain or suffering. PAD will allow patients to have their final goodbyes with their families while they are coherent and able to communicate. This could alleviate the grief that family members have over the loss of a loved one, when they were not able to say goodbye for the last …show more content…
Since the patient has to ingest the drug by themselves, through PAD, it ensures that the patient will take the treatment only when they are definite that their situation is too much for them to handle to end their own life. This also alleviates any doubt in the minds of the patients loved ones, whether they were ready to die or not. There are other assisted suicides, but they are done by a physician. Such as to allow the death of a patient by palliative sedation, withholding life supporting treatments, and honoring do not resuscitate requests. A family member may be asked to “pull the plug”, when their loved one could have done the same thing before their condition became worse. This would save someone from having to make a decision that would ultimately end another human being’s life. The aforementioned methods end the life of a person at the discretion of
PAD is a right, not a privilege; every competent person capable of making their own decisions should have the freedom to determine the time and manner in which they expire. PAD gives us hope that if we ever become terminally ill that we will have the option to die with dignity. Terminally ill patients that are suffering, suffer from more than just physical pain. The patients, in some instances, are forced to endure their loss of independence, which jeopardizes their dignity. PAD empowers these patients with the freedom of knowing they will not have to suffer. Dealing with death is not an easy task, but PAD provides comfort not only in the minds of the patients, but their loved ones as well. The patient’s friends and relatives will have a piece of mind knowing that their loved one did not have to endure anymore pain or suffering. PAD will allow patients to have their final goodbyes with their families while they are coherent and able to communicate. This could alleviate the grief that family members have over the loss of a loved one, when they were not able to say goodbye for the last …show more content…
Since the patient has to ingest the drug by themselves, through PAD, it ensures that the patient will take the treatment only when they are definite that their situation is too much for them to handle to end their own life. This also alleviates any doubt in the minds of the patients loved ones, whether they were ready to die or not. There are other assisted suicides, but they are done by a physician. Such as to allow the death of a patient by palliative sedation, withholding life supporting treatments, and honoring do not resuscitate requests. A family member may be asked to “pull the plug”, when their loved one could have done the same thing before their condition became worse. This would save someone from having to make a decision that would ultimately end another human being’s life. The aforementioned methods end the life of a person at the discretion of