The Term Of Life By Steinbock Essay

Is there a moral difference between killing someone and letting someone die? When I think of morality, I think of GOD first, I think of what I learned growing up. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and considering the topic, “thou shall not kill” comes to mind. I think to end a person’s life that is not ready to die, is an immoral act but I also feel to watch an individual suffer and beg for their agony to end is also immoral. To purposely cause death; to kill is morally unacceptable, but to allow someone to die per their request, I feel, should be morally accepted. I can’t believe that GOD would fault one for adhering to a loved one or for a physician; a patient’s final wishes to end their own life. To further explain …show more content…
Both authors talked about parents who have babies born with downs syndrome that may have an intestinal obstruction that requires operation. The combination of the syndrome and obstruction sometimes sways parents against the operation and to let the baby die; it is within their rights to make this decision. Rachel’s states that he can understand both sides of the token when referring to the life and death of the infant; however he has serious issues with the “dehydrate and wither” technique used to complete the process. Steinbock argued that there is no justification for ending the life of the babies, passively or actively. Both authors mentioned the parents are merely deciding to let the baby die because of the downs syndrome and the challenges that they will face because of it. Steinbock states that “It cannot be argued that the treatment is withheld for the infant’s sake, unless one is prepared to argue all mentally retarded babies are better off dead.” Steinbock sees no justification in refusing to operate on the babies that would most likely survive, and live a pretty normal