The Ethical Dilemma Of Euthanasia Essay - 1905 Words

Introduction (Tirsit) â€Å"Death is quite often better than what we do to patients† (Pavlish, Brown-Saltzman, Hersh, Shirk, Rounkle, 2011, p. 390). This quote comes from a palliative care nurse who witnesses the suffering and extreme pain her patients endure on the daily. In this paper we will discuss the ethical dilemma of euthanasia and how it affects the nursing profession, along with the moral issues pertaining to the dilemma. What is the Ethical Dilemma? (Tirsit) Before passing moral judgment on this issue it is imperative that the true definition of euthanasia is stated to shine clarity on the matter. Euthanasia is formally defined as the administration of drugs to a patient with the precise intention of ending the patient’s life at his or her request (Marcoux, 2013). This differs from physician-assisted suicide, in which case the patient receives the life-ending drug from their physician and administers it directly to one’s self. Additionally, we must distinguish this act from other end-of life medical treatments such as withholding treatment, treatment withdrawal and terminal sedation (Marcoux). These treatments consist of CPR, blood transfusions and ceasing life-sustaining treatments such as ventilators. These acts, with proper consent by the patient, are deemed legal and moral. (Marcoux). Thus, while euthanasia shares some similarities with the mentioned treatments they are not the same and this is where the ethical d ilemma occurs. It can be reasonedShow MoreRelatedThe Ethical Dilemmas Of Euthanasia Essay1638 Words   |  7 PagesThe Ethical Dilemmas of Euthanasia in Canada with the Legalization of Physician-Assisted Suicide This systematic analysis of the professional literature will explore the ethical dilemmas that Canadian medical professionals face while considering euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide, the latter of which was made legal in Canada on June 17, 2016 (Chochinov and Frazee, 2016). 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In my paper I will dive into Case Study 2, which deals with the discussion of euthanasia according to the Christian worldviewRead MoreThe Ethical Dilemmas Of Euthanasia Essay2007 Words   |  9 Pagesthe literature currently available on the ethical dilemmas of euthanasia and PAS that have arisen in Canada since its legalization. This Literature Review is organized into six sub-categories: (1) the law (2) medical issues (3) patient capacity and autonomy (4) expenditures: palliative care vs. assisted suicide (5) family (6) ethics. This review will offer a foundational understanding of the practices of euthanasia and PAS and defi ning the various dilemmas that have arisen for medical professionalsRead MoreThe Ethical Dilemma Of Voluntary Euthanasia1125 Words   |  5 Pagesto consider the serious ethical dilemma of voluntary euthanasia. Is euthanasia murder or a justifiable suicide? Our approach and opinions to this sensitive ethical dilemma is sharply contrasted based in our convictions and ethics derived from our own personal worldview. I will evaluate and examine euthanasia’s ethical dilemma according to my Christian worldview and compare the moral rules, right or wrong, that many believe, allowing man to suffer is immoral. Ethical Dilemma Joni is a young adult whoRead MoreEuthanasia: An Ethical Dilemma Essay1810 Words   |  8 PagesThe ethical debate regarding euthanasia dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. It was the Hippocratic School (c. 400B.C.) that eliminated the practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide from medical practice. Euthanasia in itself raises many ethical dilemmas – such as, is it ethical for a doctor to assist a terminally ill patient in ending his life? Under what circumstances, if any, is euthanasia considered ethically appropriate for a doctor? More so, euthanasia raises the argument of the different