Argumentative Essay On Mercy Killing

Improved Essays
Register to read the introduction… We are being inhumane to force people to continue suffering in this way (Newman, 1996). Choosing for a more painless death comes a lot easier for patients along with family who witness the pain of their loved is enduring with all the medications and treatments (which tend to cause severe side effects). I believe that is justified. Especially knowing that the chances of survival are very slim for the patient.

Supports of the mercy killing ask whether it is rational or not to keep a terminally ill patient who’s hopes of survival are slim and alive on a support system when our medical infrastructure is under immense pressure (Naik, 2011). Supporters also ask why mercy killing is not legalized when murder in defense is taken into consideration by law (Naik, 2011).

1. The Patient’s right to self-determination. Patient empowerment has been a trend for more than twenty-five years. “it’s my life, my pain. Why can’t I get the treatment I want?” (Newman, 1996). Severely ill patients will be able to die with dignity and honor rather than waiting for their sickness to consume every part of them. Forbidding someone who is terminally ill and is suffer gives that patient a feeling of being trapped in agony and their

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    The previous section outlined how interpretation or understanding of the Hippocratic Oath provides arguments for and against Euthanasia being considered medical care. However, I find that the Oath, even if not taken literally, shapes a special ethic in medicine that should continue to be upheld. The spirit of the Oath, as mentioned earlier, offers to patients a sense of what they expect from their physicians- ultimate care. It took years to form the long-standing ethical norms in the patient-physician relationship and allowing physicians to euthanize patients threatens this central norm. Physicians enter the profession, or patients at least hope, with the intention of caring for patients.…

    • 1238 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    As a lot of ethical dilemmas about ending life continues to rise and become common, physicians of all specialties, all registered nurses and enrolled nurses will be confronted with questions from patients and their families, and from legislators and the media. There will come a time for a patient suffering from a terminal illness, where treatments aimed at cure is either no longer effective or the burden of side effects such as severe nausea and vomiting becomes so overwhelming that patients cancel out any benefit for treatment (Best 2010). However, despite the fact that patients have a right to make decisions about their life and treatments, there are several laws that prevent them from opting for euthanasia. Euthanasia violates codes of medical ethics that have existed since the ancient past and the Hippocratic oath taken by doctors on graduation prevents them from aiding a patient’s death (Best 2010). This results in terminally ill patients suffering from incurable disease to remain in pain and suffering, hence depriving them of their rights to autonomy to end their life quicker and peacefully if they so choose to.…

    • 1357 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In a world where terminal illness is more of a reality than being able to afford a decent-sized house in a “good” neighborhood, it can bring peace to a patient when they have the option to determine how they go out. “Nearly half of all Americans die in a hospital” according to Centers for Disease Control (2005) [PDF]. Most patients in these situations are in excruciating pain for the duration of their treatments only to face death in a hospital bed used by many, rather than in the comfort of their own bed surrounded by their loved ones. Physician-Assisted Suicide is something that should not be said or taken lightly.…

    • 1711 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Outline for Arguments on PAS and Euthanasia When addressing the matter of Euthanasia and PAS, “we must first acknowledge that figuring out the benefits and harms of permitting euthanasia or PAS is speculative at best” (Emanuel). As well, it is important to acknowledge the fact that, “no matter which social policy regarding euthanasia or PAS is adopted - legalization or maintaining the current policy of permitting them in individual cases - there will be both benefits and harms” (Emanuel). In this argument, it will be shown that legalizing Euthanasia and PAS within the United States, will help people, by allowing terminally ill patients to realize the end of a good death or, more accurately, a create a higher quality dying experience for them.…

    • 1505 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    In today’s society, one of the many controversial issues discussed is physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill. There have been many questions and opinions concerning the incident, and as a result, some people have been criticized for their opinions of physician-assisted suicide. Many have debated about what is wrong and right yet, none of us actually know what is best for society. Furthermore, we ask ourselves, “Should patients have the right to die? Should we agree to the patient’s request regardless if they want to die based on emotional/mentally reasons, their fear of becoming weak, or their condition?”…

    • 175 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Why can’t physicians be able to eliminate a patient 's suffering by helping them to die? Yet, we need to know the distinction between suffering, and the person who is suffering. It is a mistake to intentionally destroy an innocent person; their dignity, by removing their pain through suicide. The moral or ethical side of this argument does not resolve the legal issue. Supporters of physician-assisted suicide claim that people 's freedom of choice should be honored, which means PAS should be legal.…

    • 938 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The argument for physician assisted suicide swirls around the want and hope for less suffering and an ability…

    • 314 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Great Essays

    Even though both cases are not subject to the same legal framework, criminalizing PAS is unfair and discriminatory for chronically-ill patients. A rational patient who is unable to bear the pain in the last stages of his life, and lives in a liberal country, should be granted with the right of getting a help to ‘die with dignity’. Arguments…

    • 2124 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I was by my sister-in-law’s side as she suffered through a terminal brain cancer and I watched her slowly wither away to a shell of a human. I saw the life slowly ebb out of her, behind a mask of pain and untold indignities, until she was unrecognizable as the vibrant person I once knew. Motivated by the thought of her son growing up without her, she fought with every ounce of strength in her body until the last day she was conscious, seeking every medical treatment available. Tragically, the cancer prevailed and her life ended one month after the tumor was discovered. Fortunately her suffering was short lived, but for many, the pain and indignities of a terminal illness can drag on for months, even years.…

    • 1730 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Secondly, Dr. Manning (1998) concludes that “the more compassionate treatment for such terminally ill patients is a quick merciful end since its treatment is generally far less successful than traditional medical and psychological means” (p. 42). People claim that by keeping an terminally ill patient alive you are putting them through unbearably pain and prolonging unnecessary suffering when you can easily just let them die a peaceful and merciful death. Thirdly, people think they are morally doing the right course of action by PAS and euthanasia by relieving the patient of pain relief. According to Gallup, a…

    • 1915 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    A patient who is suffering has the legal right to die with guidance, counseling and support from their physician, they ultimately have the decision whether or not they want to take their life. Sullivan and Taylor emphasize that, “Neither government nor religious institutions should impose their own values on others, especially on those who are not causing harm. As an option in end-of-life care, PAS would allow terminally ill, mentally competent individuals to retain dignity and bodily integrity in the face of unbearable pain and suffering,” (54). There comes to a point in the patients’ life when they know they have had enough and in a stable mind set choose to die. Patient’s do not become incapable of making choices; yet have a clear view of their mental and physical wellbeing.…

    • 1178 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    If doctors are enabled the decision to terminate a life on behalf of a unconscious patient, they would be then granted a power over society that not only breaches the Hippocratic Oath, but also empowers them to “play God”. This responsibility could then reflect upon society, altering their views and their trust within doctors and medical professionals as they could then be seen as “providers of death” (Cosic, 2003. 25) In addition to this, a doctor’s decision to terminate a life may not rely on the condition and best interests of the patient, but instead of amount of hospital beds and facilities that are…

    • 2101 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In this essay, I will contend that Brock’s argument in favor of the moral permissibility of voluntary active euthanasia (VAE) is sound and that Brock offers persuasive responses to the objection that (A) VAE is an act which involves the deliberate killing of an innocent person and (B) the deliberate killing of an innocent person is always morally wrong. To achieve this, I will begin by summarizing Brock’s argument for the moral permissibility of VAE. Then, I will synthesize the objection to Brock’s argument and Brock’s subsequent responses. Finally, I will describe why I find Brock’s responses persuasive. Brock’s argument for the moral permissibility of VAE can be constructed as follows: (1) VAE is supported by the “values of patient well-being…

    • 1499 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Suffering, unimaginable pain, and the loss of meaning in life are all fears that people face when thinking about their eventual deaths. However, these fears can be dismissed by the practice of physician-assisted suicide. This practical and ethical procedure is a safe and humane way to help those with terminal illnesses die on their own terms without causing more damage to not only themselves but to their family as well. While physician-assisted suicide is frowned upon by many moral crusaders, the legalization of this process is necessary due to the need for protection of people’s rights, the current working application of supportive legislation, and the support of a majority of the population where activism is occurring. As stated by the…

    • 1648 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    No person should have to endure terminal suffering that is unremitting, unbearable, or prolonged. When the burdens of life outweigh the benefits because of uncontrollable pain, severe psychological suffering, loss of dignity, or loss of quality of life as judged by the patient, and when the circumstances are not remediable, the dying person should be able to ask for and receive help in assisted suicide (Marker, Smith 47-51). It is further argued that assisted suicide for incurably ill persons experiencing extreme suffering can be distinguished from euthanasia used for the purpose of genocide on the grounds that it is based on principles of dignity, honor, and respect and is chosen and enacted by the dying individuals, rather than being forced on them against their…

    • 1421 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays

Related Topics