Euthanasia Ethical Issue

In the United States, we are blessed to have a series of checks and balances in our legislative process. This allows for intense review of public issues and policies and prevents from one person entering a political office and authorizing the passage of new laws and regulations without proper review by elected officials. As patient advocates, it is important that nurses take an active role in their beliefs and voice their opinions on political issues (Burkhardt & Nathaniel 2014). One of the current ethical and moral debates in healthcare is physician-assisted suicide. According to the American Medical Association (1996), physician-assisted suicide is defined as a physician providing a patient with the knowledge and access to a way to perform suicide. When a patient is faced with a chronic and fatal condition, their greatest suffering …show more content…
Patients who have ALS wither away while having no cognitive changes. This means that as their bodies fail them, they are completely aware of their impending death and loss of dignity. These individuals could choose, through this important legislature, when they are ready to say goodbye on their terms. We offer this blessing to our pets, as when it is time to say goodbye we ease their pain and suffering through euthanasia. I find it odd that in the same respect we do not offer that option to competent humans who are living with conditions that take their independence, self-worth, enjoyment in life, and cause them daily pain. Your support and involvement in making West Virginia a Death with Dignity state is crucial. You would be allowing our residents the ability to ease their pain and keep their dignity at the end of their lives. Please consider how this could one day help your loved ones and possibly yourself. Thank you for your time, and please do not hesitate to contact me to further discuss this