Physician Assisted Suicide Research Paper - 1520 Words

1. In the United States today, only several states legally recognize physician-assisted suicide as an option for families and terminally ill patients hoping to embrace a death with dignity. Although there is a growing movement to promote access to physician-assisted suicide, the topic is still widely regarded as taboo. As of 2016, the states of Washington, Oregon, Vermont, Colorado, New Jersey, and California are the only states to allow full and legal access to physician-assisted suicide. Alongside those states are Montana and New Mexico, which legally offer â€Å"aid in dying,† meaning the state allows for physicians to assist in alleviating the longevity of the dying process. For terminally ill patients living in states where†¦show more content†¦On a living will, an individual can express if they would prefer not to be resuscitated or if they don’t want to be living artificially on life-support. Additionally, living wills establish a written declaration of a power of attorney, establishing a person who may legally speak on behalf of a patient who is unable to do so. Living wills are crucial pieces of documentation that are necessary for the dignity and wishes of a person who may fall unexpectedly into a life-threatening condition. If a person does not wish to live artificially on life support, a living will may be the only documentation that can secure their right to die with what they choose to be a dignified death. Unfortunately, living wills are not too common, resulting in countless Americans whose lives are extended long after they wish to live. In order to get a living will, one can either hire an attorney and have the attorney draft a living will or there are templates available that can be filled out and submitted for notarization. 3. The American movement to expand legal access to physician-assisted suicide has been waging on for decades, making significant progress in humanizing death with dignity and reducing the social taboos against the movement, but has made relatively little progress in creating federally protected access to physician-assisted suicide. It is fundamental that physicians and insurance companies are involved and actively working with the PAS movementShow MoreRelatedThe Debate Of Assisted Suicide1747 Words   |  7 Pages The topic of assisted suicide is very controversial and is heavily debated upon all around the world. While physician assisted suicide is only legal in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and a few states in the U.S., it is illegally practiced widely by physicians and nurses, such as Dr. Jack Kevorkian. I first heard of physician assisted suicide when the death of Dr. Kevorkian, an assisted suicide advocate and a suicide aid, was on the news in 2011. Kevorkian assisted in the suic ide of many patientsRead MoreSince The Fifteen Century, Society Has Viewed Suicide Or1178 Words   |  5 PagesSince the fifteen century, society has viewed suicide or intentional death as immoral. It was not until the twentieth century that these â€Å"immoral† attitudes were challenged. As of 2016, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Colombia have unambiguously legalized direct assisted dying. Other areas, having to undergo a process of either a judicial or legislative decision, include Canada, Japan, and Germany. Currently in the United States, following the same process of a judicial or legislative processesRead MoreActive Euthanasia Pros and Cons Essay1640 Words   |  7 Pagescontrolled is far from over. (Sunny, Bloyd, 1995) Introduction The purpose of this paper is to briefly explore euthanasia with its different definitions, and to explore whether or not active euthanasia should be practiced in our, hospitals, and nursing homes and on the elderly. In a survey of 168 frail elderly patients at Dukes geriatric treatment clinic, researchers found that 39.9% favored physician assisted suicide for the terminally ill. 59.3% of the patients’ relatives 146 spouses, children, andRead MoreThe Legalization Of Physician Assisted Suicide976 Words   |  4 PagesResearch Paper With an advancing medical field, new technology allows doctors to do almost the impossible. Automatic genetic analysis, restoration of eyesight, and robotic limbs remain as some of the most cutting edge innovative technology in the medical field. Society witnesses the creation of even more medical breakthroughs, however, the application of new found research enhances and prolongs the quality of life for humans. A growing elderly population prompts the progression of superior palliativeRead MoreThe Ethics of Euthanasia Essay1742 Words   |  7 Pagesmisery, however in the state of North Carolina, physician-assisted suicide is illegal. Luckily, her father passed away this year and is finally free of pain and suffering. However, if physician-assisted suicide was legal, her father would not have had to suffer as long as he did. Before we explore the sides of physician-assisted suicide, let’s go over exactly what physician-assisted suicide entails. When the topic of physician-assisted suicide comes up, many individuals believe it is the sameRead MoreThe Ethical Issue Of Physician Assisted Suicide1580 Words   |  7 Pagesof happiness. Through the implications and discourse of vice and virtue, this paper explores the relevance of Aristotle’s moral philosophy in modern day and will be applied to the contemporary ethical issue surrounding physician assisted suicide. By exploring Aristotle’s work through primary and secondary sources, this paper will discuss the greater good and happiness as it relates to not only the patient or physician, but as a member of a greater social circle and that of society because to AristotleRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide : Who Should Decide If A Terminally Ill Person?1146 Words   |  5 Pages5/25/16 Gemini Government Siembor Who should decide if a terminally ill person has the right to commit physician-assisted suicide? Introduction Physician Assisted Suicide has been a very controversial topic in the recent years. P.A.S can also be known as physician assisted death or euthanasia. Many states wonder wither this practice is morally right or wrong. Physician Assisted Suicide is when a doctor administers patient lethal drugs, upon the request of the patient, with the end result beingRead MoreNew Client. Professor__. English___. 2/28/17. The Implications1182 Words   |  5 Pagesdebate regarding the rights of an individual to make that choice. The article â€Å"A Doctor-Assisted Disaster for Medicine† loosely examines the negative implications of assisted suicide laws on patients. Toffler’s article sheds light upon how the law has changed the relationship between patients and their medical provider. Toffler suggests that many individuals are forcefully driven to pursue physician assisted suicide as treatment. In result, many mentally ill patients are wrongfully admitted to a procedureRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide During The United States And Other Countries Essay1645 Words   |  7 PagesNovember 2016 Physician Assisted Suicide and Assisted Suicide in the United States and Other Countries Suicide. A term many of us are uncomfortable with, it is a tender subject especially for those who have been affected by it personally. What about the term physician assisted suicide (PAS) or assisted suicide? Around the world and more recently in the United States we have seen these terms in the news more often. Various forms of medically assisted dying and/or assisted suicide for the terminallyRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide As A Suicide1587 Words   |  7 PagesThe Merriam Webster dictionary defines â€Å"physician assisted suicide as a suicide by a patient facilitated by means or information (as a drug prescription or indication of the lethal dosage) provided by a physician who is aware of how the patient intends to use such means or information.† The physician provides necessary information about drugs and patient performs the act of suicide. Letting someone die requires justification and involves personal as well as social concerns. The federal government