Euthanasia Case

Euthanasia is a procedure to induce a gentle and easy death to end one's pain and suffering by administering injections or providing medication that is monitor by a physician. Euthanasia can be identified in three classes - Physician assisted suicide is when the patient give themselves the lethal dose of the drug prescribe by a physician who knows the patient intention to end his or her life; Passive euthanasia is another term use for withdrawal of treatment when the doctor withholds life sustaining treatment; Voluntary active euthanasia is when the request is done directly by the person being killed.

People who request euthanasia are either terminally ill becoming a burden to their love ones or creating financial hardship. Some people do not agree with this process, for others they want to offer a compassionate alternative for terminally ill adults who suffers unbearably, who are relying on a life support machine to keep them breathing already diagnosed to be brain dead and in a vegetable state with no point of return. It is heart wrenching for one to witness their family or friends endure pain and suffering not knowing what or how to comfort them.

The "Death with Dignity Act" that was establish in Oregon on October 27, 1997 which allows terminally ill people who lives in Oregon to end their lives through the voluntary self-administration of lethal medications that is prescribed by a physician for that purpose only, they have to be eligible to make that request. Millions of dollars can be save for those who elect to end their life by using euthanasia, the drug used for this process cost $35 - $45 that is much less expensive than providing prolong medical care. Hospitals in most States are making it mandatory for patients who are hospitalized to have a living will as to whether or not they want to be resuscitated. In Netherlands, Belgium and Oregon, euthanasia is a medical treatment.

Emotionally it can take a toll on a patient and their family during this crisis, providing counseling could help them deal and render support although no one could never be prepare for death or the thought of losing a loved one. It is often questioned if it is morally or ethically right for someone to choose euthanasia to end their life, a person should have the right to make their own choice of their own freewill if nothing more can be done medically to save their life. Euthanasia is not any more different from removing someone from life support. Families should be involved in this process with the individual to help decide what the best interest is for the individual.

References

Manning, Michael. Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide: Killing or Caring, 1998

Foley, Kathleen (MD, Professor of Neurology and Hendin, Herbert (MD, Professor of Psychiatry) The Case Against Assisted Suicide: For the Right to End-of-Life Care,