Next, we have to consider the principle of beneficence. The principle of beneficence states we should foster the interest and happiness of other persons and society at large. This requires that one ought to remove evil or harm and promote good. Applied to a doctor-patient relationship, this means doctors have a duty to contribute positively to the patient’s welfare (Ersek 3). When machines, medicine, and clinicians fail to help cure a patient of symptoms, they deserve to be released from the pain they’re under. The only compassionate response that solves this is to participate in physician-assisted death. Also according to the principle of beneficence, physicians have the duty to create the highest possible happiness of other persons. This
…show more content…
The principle of nonmaleficence states we should refrain from harming others. Within this principle is the Hippocratic Requirement that one will use treatment to help sick according to one’s judgement, but will never use it to harm a patient. Despite some healthcare providers refusing to participate in assisted death, others say that to refuse help in dying patients is to abandon them at their greatest time of need, going directly against the principle of nonmaleficence. The suffering of the patients does not only include pain; it also includes other social and psychological burdens as a result of a loss of sense of self (Starks 14). To relieve this pain is not always possible; therefore, euthanasia is the best option. The American Nurses Association says that assisting in dying contradicts the professional role integrity (Ersek 4). This can be avoided, however, because the requirements of the law state that physicians, including nurses, have the right to decline participation in the assisted death. They won’t have to participate in anything that makes them uncomfortable or that sacrifices their integrity. Other opponents also claim that society has a duty to decline any laws that threaten the lives of people. However, even though it is still nationally illegal to assist in patient death, physicians and other family members are already doing it to put these people out of their pain. They are committing illegal acts with
The principle of nonmaleficence states we should refrain from harming others. Within this principle is the Hippocratic Requirement that one will use treatment to help sick according to one’s judgement, but will never use it to harm a patient. Despite some healthcare providers refusing to participate in assisted death, others say that to refuse help in dying patients is to abandon them at their greatest time of need, going directly against the principle of nonmaleficence. The suffering of the patients does not only include pain; it also includes other social and psychological burdens as a result of a loss of sense of self (Starks 14). To relieve this pain is not always possible; therefore, euthanasia is the best option. The American Nurses Association says that assisting in dying contradicts the professional role integrity (Ersek 4). This can be avoided, however, because the requirements of the law state that physicians, including nurses, have the right to decline participation in the assisted death. They won’t have to participate in anything that makes them uncomfortable or that sacrifices their integrity. Other opponents also claim that society has a duty to decline any laws that threaten the lives of people. However, even though it is still nationally illegal to assist in patient death, physicians and other family members are already doing it to put these people out of their pain. They are committing illegal acts with