Euthanasia & Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS)
Euthanasia & Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS)
(Euthanasia & Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS)) After studying the course materials located on Module 8: Lecture Materials & Resources page, answer the following:
- Euthanasia Medical or Generic definition & Bioethical definition.
- Describe pain and suffering within context of faith
- Physician Assisted Suicide / Death ( PAS / PAD) Definition. Is it ethical?
- Should we have the right to end our lives? Why yes or why not?
- Better alternatives to PAS; compare and contrast each: Hospice Palliative care / Terminal sedation
- Case studies.
Brief summary of: Hemlock Society Jacob Kevorkian & Britanny Maynard. Read and summarize ERD paragraphs #: 59, 60, 61.Submission Instructions: is to be clear and concise and students will lose points for improper grammar, punctuation, and misspelling. If references are used, please cite properly according to the current APA style
Euthanasia: Medical and Bioethical Definitions
Medically, euthanasia refers to the deliberate act of ending a person’s life to relieve suffering, often involving a physician administering a lethal dose of medication. Bioethically, euthanasia is viewed through the lens of moral principles, examining whether it respects human dignity, autonomy, and the sanctity of life.
Pain and Suffering within the Context of Faith
Within faith contexts, pain and suffering are often seen as part of the human experience, with redemptive value and a test of faith. Many religious perspectives emphasize compassionate care and support over measures to hasten death, viewing suffering as an opportunity for spiritual growth and community support.
Physician-Assisted Suicide / Death (PAS/PAD) Definition and Ethical Considerations
Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) or physician-assisted death (PAD) involves a doctor providing a patient with the means to end their own life, typically through prescribed medication. The ethicality of PAS/PAD is highly debated. Proponents argue it respects patient autonomy and alleviates suffering, while opponents contend it undermines the sanctity of life and could lead to a slippery slope of devaluing life, especially among vulnerable populations. (Euthanasia & Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS))
Right to End Our Lives: Ethical Considerations
The debate over whether individuals should have the right to end their lives hinges on autonomy versus the intrinsic value of life. Advocates for the right to die emphasize personal autonomy and the relief of unbearable suffering. Conversely, opponents argue that legalizing this right could lead to societal devaluation of life, particularly for the disabled and terminally ill.
Better Alternatives to PAS: Hospice, Palliative Care, and Terminal Sedation
Hospice and palliative care focus on providing comfort and improving the quality of life for terminally ill patients without hastening death. Hospice care offers comprehensive support, including pain management, emotional support, and spiritual care. Palliative care provides similar services but can be offered at any stage of illness, not just end-of-life. (Euthanasia & Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS))
Terminal sedation involves sedating a patient to alleviate intractable suffering, with the patient remaining unconscious until death occurs naturally. While not intended to hasten death, it allows patients to escape unbearable pain. Comparing these alternatives, hospice and palliative care focus on holistic support and pain relief, while terminal sedation addresses extreme cases of suffering when other methods fail.
Case Studies: Hemlock Society, Jacob Kevorkian, and Brittany Maynard
The Hemlock Society advocates for the right to die with dignity, providing education on end-of-life choices, including PAS/PAD. Jacob Kevorkian, known as “Dr. Death,” assisted terminally ill patients in ending their lives, sparking significant ethical and legal debates. Brittany Maynard, a terminally ill woman, chose to end her life under Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, bringing national attention to the right-to-die movement.
ERD Paragraphs 59, 60, 61 Summary
ERD 59 emphasizes that euthanasia and PAS are morally unacceptable, as they undermine the respect for human life. ERD 60 discusses the importance of pain management and palliative care, encouraging efforts to relieve suffering without hastening death. ERD 61 highlights the need for compassionate care and the moral duty to avoid actions that intentionally cause death, affirming the value of life even in suffering. (Euthanasia & Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS))
Conclusion
The discussions on euthanasia, PAS/PAD, and end-of-life care revolve around balancing ethical principles, patient autonomy, and the sanctity of life. While there are no easy answers, a focus on compassionate, holistic care remains paramount. The case studies and ethical directives underscore the complexities and moral imperatives in these deeply personal decisions. (Euthanasia & Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS))
Reference
Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide:
Emanuel, E. J., Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D., Urwin, J. W., & Cohen, J. (2016). Attitudes and practices of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the United States, Canada, and Europe. JAMA, 316(1), 79-90. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2532018
Pain and Suffering within the Context of Faith:
Sulmasy, D. P. (2006). The rebirth of the clinic: An introduction to spirituality in health care. Georgetown University Press. https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/Rebirth-of-the-Clinic
Hospice and Palliative Care:
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. (2021). Palliative care and hospice care. https://www.nhpco.org/palliativecare
Terminal Sedation:
Rietjens, J. A., van Delden, J. J., Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D., Buiting, H. M., van der Maas, P. J., & van der Heide, A. (2008). Continuous deep sedation for patients nearing death in the Netherlands: Descriptive study. BMJ, 336(7648), 810-813. https://www.bmj.com/content/336/7648/810
Hemlock Society, Jacob Kevorkian, and Brittany Maynard:
Quill, T. E., & Greenlaw, J. (2008). Physician-assisted death. Ethics in Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. https://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/pad.html
The Brittany Maynard Fund. (2014). Brittany’s story. https://www.thebrittanyfund.org/brittanys-story/
Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERD):
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2018). Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Sixth Edition. https://www.usccb.org/resources/ethical-religious-directives-catholic-health-service-sixth-edition-2016-06_0.pdf
