Physicians have been required to follow the Hippocratic Oath since the 5th Century B.C. It is the oldest binding document in history where Physicians agree to: treat the sick to the best of one’s ability, preserve patient privacy, and teach the secrets of medicine to the next generation, and so on. It also states, “I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect” (Tyson, 2007). During the 5th Century B.C., Ancient Greeks and Romans tended to support euthanasia because they had no defined belief in the inherent value of individual human life (Dowbiggin, 2013). Yet, Christian and Jewish views on euthanasia tend to reinforce the Hippocratic Oath (Manning, 2013). This goes to show
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There are two major fears/issues with the legalization of assisted suicide. The first is that the individual in question may not necessarily be in their right mind or understand fully what it is their asking for. The second is that assisted suicide and active euthanasia may open doors for non-voluntary and involuntary euthanasia. These fears are reflected in countless other countries. Canada’s belief in the sanctity of life dictates the current status of euthanasia and assisted suicide. It is believed all life is precious and sacred and it is immoral to be deprived of life, whether by your own hand or someone else’s. The Supreme Court in Canada, which is the highest judicial power in the country, heard a case (Carter v. Canada) in June of 2012 arguing the illegal status of assisted suicide is a violation of S.7 (Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice) and S.15 (Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The majority of the Justices …show more content…
This questionnaire was specifically designed and presented by two members of the research team (TB and AS). This questionnaire was introduced at a number of sites and settings including psychiatric and medical hospitals. All participants were Israeli citizens currently employed by their respective hospitals. The survey was completed anonymously, voluntarily, and to be submitted back to the researcher directly or by mail. This survey was kept as short and simple as possible to ensure confidentiality and a high response rate. Besides the normal questions, such as age, race, and gender, and so on, the survey also asked whether the participants regarded themselves as secular/religious/’traditional’ Jewish or other. The questionnaire included seven scenarios describing seven different patients who either requested physician-assisted suicide or was offered euthanasia as a treatment option. For each scenario, the psychiatrists and physicians were asked to rate their degree of response using a four point scale ranging from a definite disapproval to definite approval. Results indicate when controlled for religious practice, psychiatrists had more conservative views than did physicians. Physicians who are of
There are two major fears/issues with the legalization of assisted suicide. The first is that the individual in question may not necessarily be in their right mind or understand fully what it is their asking for. The second is that assisted suicide and active euthanasia may open doors for non-voluntary and involuntary euthanasia. These fears are reflected in countless other countries. Canada’s belief in the sanctity of life dictates the current status of euthanasia and assisted suicide. It is believed all life is precious and sacred and it is immoral to be deprived of life, whether by your own hand or someone else’s. The Supreme Court in Canada, which is the highest judicial power in the country, heard a case (Carter v. Canada) in June of 2012 arguing the illegal status of assisted suicide is a violation of S.7 (Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice) and S.15 (Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The majority of the Justices …show more content…
This questionnaire was specifically designed and presented by two members of the research team (TB and AS). This questionnaire was introduced at a number of sites and settings including psychiatric and medical hospitals. All participants were Israeli citizens currently employed by their respective hospitals. The survey was completed anonymously, voluntarily, and to be submitted back to the researcher directly or by mail. This survey was kept as short and simple as possible to ensure confidentiality and a high response rate. Besides the normal questions, such as age, race, and gender, and so on, the survey also asked whether the participants regarded themselves as secular/religious/’traditional’ Jewish or other. The questionnaire included seven scenarios describing seven different patients who either requested physician-assisted suicide or was offered euthanasia as a treatment option. For each scenario, the psychiatrists and physicians were asked to rate their degree of response using a four point scale ranging from a definite disapproval to definite approval. Results indicate when controlled for religious practice, psychiatrists had more conservative views than did physicians. Physicians who are of