A good death in Latin or, more commonly, euthanasia, holds that in extreme cases intentionally causing death can be positive if it reduces pain and causes a benefit to those who suffer. Euthanasia has many forms to include involuntary, voluntary, assisted, active and passive. The ethical view of euthanasia is widely debated and before one is able to look at the ethical stance of euthanasia one must first discuss its forms.
To begin, involuntary euthanasia refers to a patient who is incapable of giving permission to the medical personnel in order to authorize their death (MacKinnon & Fiala 2015). Terri Schiavo for example, is an instance in which a brain dead women had life support removed allowing the brain damage she was suffering from to take its course eventually leading to her death. This was done without her consent since she was unable to communicate. In her particular cause it was a form of passive euthanasia due to the fact that no outside means were used to cause death rather, the ailment was allowed to take its course naturally causing her demise. …show more content…
Voluntary euthanasia would be described in a person who is in pain and whom asks the doctor to end his life in order to stop the suffering. Voluntary Euthanasia does not always have to be a verbal directive but can also be written in the form of a living will. A living will is a legalized document that provides guidance to family members and medical staff on the desires of a patient if they become incapacitated. Another form of voluntary euthanasia is physician assisted suicide in which a medical professional administer a lethal means to aid a person in terminating their life. Examples can be found with the practice of Dr. John
To begin, involuntary euthanasia refers to a patient who is incapable of giving permission to the medical personnel in order to authorize their death (MacKinnon & Fiala 2015). Terri Schiavo for example, is an instance in which a brain dead women had life support removed allowing the brain damage she was suffering from to take its course eventually leading to her death. This was done without her consent since she was unable to communicate. In her particular cause it was a form of passive euthanasia due to the fact that no outside means were used to cause death rather, the ailment was allowed to take its course naturally causing her demise. …show more content…
Voluntary euthanasia would be described in a person who is in pain and whom asks the doctor to end his life in order to stop the suffering. Voluntary Euthanasia does not always have to be a verbal directive but can also be written in the form of a living will. A living will is a legalized document that provides guidance to family members and medical staff on the desires of a patient if they become incapacitated. Another form of voluntary euthanasia is physician assisted suicide in which a medical professional administer a lethal means to aid a person in terminating their life. Examples can be found with the practice of Dr. John