Moral Dilemma Of Euthanasia

Moral dilemma? One of the major antithesis of PAS or euthanasia is the “slippery slope” argument. This argument questions doctors “playing God” or as discussed previously, potentially going against their sworn oath, which would leave a shortage of available physicians to administer the treatment. Successful programs in many countries have shown that there is no shortage of physicians willing to do what they feel is the right thing in regards to their patients to end their suffering. It is seen by many as an act of mercy. Even in the United States, the states with approvals have reported no issues of having enough medical practitioners to carryout out the approved PAS and euthanasia procedures. Those against this process also state that …show more content…
Interfering with nature is said to be against most of these beliefs. One problem with this argument is that seeking medical treatment from the beginning could be viewed as interfering with a higher power or nature. There’s also the argument that hospice care is the same thing. Many religious hospitals have hospice care centers which is where patients ultimately go to die. Medical treatments will not extend their life or cure them, so they essentially remove any treatment and go somewhere more comfortable to wait out their last days with family. This is just a slow, potentially more painful, and definitely a longer and more drawn out version of the same process. Giving pain meds for comfort and anti-depressants for sedation, often time patients are completely sedated and sometimes given far more than normal amounts of these medications to be kept comfortable. Ultimately, these patients will likely die of dehydration due to lack of fluids and IV’s. Their illness is not what killed them, it was the lack of medical assistance, food, and water. It seems hypocritical to allow the drawn-out version of the same solution with the possibility of causing pain to the patient by depriving them of water, but not to allow their end to be peaceful with a guarantee of comfort without pain and further …show more content…
Life can change in an instant. A terminal diagnosis or a debilitating accident can happen to anyone at any time and it is healthy to know what that persons wishes are. If an accident renders a person unconscious for a great length of time, someone will have to be appointed (if they have not been already) to make medical decisions and advocate for them. Even if PAS or euthanasia are not your personal choice, you may want to have a “DNR” order which means Do-Not-Resuscitate in place. This order gives medical personnel instructions to not take any kind of measures to revive you in the event that your heart or breathing stops. Many patients chose this option due to not wanting to interfere with “God’s” plan, or simply not wanting to live in a possible state of poor health due to the medical situation they have experienced. Even if end of life wishes have not been discussed, a person having a DNR on file can be seen as a clear sign to family members that a person does not wish for their life to be extended artificially – or by medical technology. This is where CMO’s and CSD’s sometimes are used for those against PAS and euthanasia. It can be a very difficult decision for family members and it is best if a legal will is in place or wishes were openly discussed to avoid suffering or patient discomfort due to the selfishness of others not being ready to let go. This is also