Euthanasia Is The Act Of Killing Someone Painlessly

Euthanasia is the act of killing someone painlessly, especially someone suffering from an incurable illness or an irreversible coma. The term is synonymous with physician-assisted suicide, a form of active euthanasia in which a doctor provides an individual, either terminally ill or facing a diminished quality of life, with the information and means to take his or her own life. It involves a situation in which a patient voluntarily performs the act of committing suicide by taking a lethal dose of prescribed medication. Physician-assisted suicide is a controversial issue which has been debated extensively within the diverse contexts of moral philosophy, religion and medical ethics. While it is interesting to note that different moral principles present equally valid arguments either in favor or against the problem of physician-assisted suicide, personal autonomy—that is, â€Å"the capacity to decide for oneself and pursue a course of action in one’s life, often regardle ss of any particular moral content† (Dryden)—should ultimately permit a person to choose the option of physician-assisted suicide. Philosophical viewpoints, particularly utilitarianism and the Divine Command Theory, offer two perspectives on euthanasia in the realm of ethics and morality that allow us to understand that although euthanasia is never the preferred option, it should be accessible and permissible. Utilitarianism, as propounded by Jeremy Bentham, is concerned with one ultimate moral â€Å"principle ofShow MoreRelatedThe Controversial Issue Of Euthanasia958 Words   |  4 Pagesterminal illness, one controversial issue has been the legalization of euthanasia. On one hand, people contend that they should have the right to choose to die painlessly. On the other hand, skeptics argue that patients with a terminal illness should let nature run its course. Others even maintain that it devalues life. My own view is that people should have the right to choose assisted suicide. Euthanasia is the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individualsRead MoreEssay about Legalize Euthanasia689 Words   |  3 PagesEuthanasia is very controversial topic in the world today. Euthanasia, by definition, is the act of killing someone painlessly ,especially someone suffering from an incurable illness. Many people find euthanasia morally wrong, but others find people have control over thier own bodies and have a right to die. A solution to this problem is to have the patient consent to euthansia and have legal documentation of the consent. Euthanasia and assisted suicide is a rising controversial problem in theRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide Is Not Considered Admissible949 Words   |  4 Pagestermination of one’s own life by administration of a lethal substance with the direct or indirect assistance of a physician, and euthanasia, the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable, painful disease are both highly emotional and contentious subjects. Some argue physician assisted suicide (P.A.S.) is admissible for someone who is dying and trying to painlessly break free from the intolerable suffering at the end of their life, and some attempt to argue physician assisted suicide isRead MorePhi 208 Essay733 Words   |  3 PagesApplying an Ethical Theory PHI208 Kristy Villone March 30, 2014 Should assisted death, or euthanasia be an option for the terminally ill? In 1994, the Oregon Death With Dignity Act was formed, making Oregon the first state to legalize physician assisted deaths with restrictions. As of today, Washington, Vermont, New Mexico, along with Oregon are all legalized in euthanasia. The individuals wanting to end their life must be at least 18 years of age with a terminal illness, be a state residentRead MoreEuthanasia Is A Medical Act Of A Physician Or Any Other Person?1016 Words   |  5 PagesEuthanasia is defined as the act of a physician or any other person intentionally killing a person by the administration of drugs, at that person’s voluntary and competent request. It is a ‘mercy killing’ which means to take a deliberate action aimed at ending a life to relieve intractable suffering or persisted pain. (Emanuel et al) Euthanasia could also be interpreted as the practice of ending a life painlessly. Euthanasia is technical description of the act regarding the process that is usuallyRead MorePersuasive Essay on Euthanasia963 Words   |  4 PagesEuthanasia - The Right to Decide The definition of euthanasia from the Oxford Dictionary is: â€Å"The painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or is in an incurable coma.† Consider the words â€Å"suffering,† â€Å"painful,† â€Å"irreversible† and â€Å"incurable.† These words describe a patients terrible conditions and prospects. Euthanasia is known as â€Å"mercy killing† for a reason, it is the most, humane, moral and logical form of treatment available to patients that have no hopeRead MoreThe Debate Concerning The Morality Of Euthanasia915 Words   |  4 Pagesopinions than does euthanasia. The debate concerning the morality of euthanasia parsimoniously rests on the moral assessment of whether or not the physician intentionally kills or intentionally let die the patient. An assumption has been perpetuated that there is a line of demarcation between intending to let die and intending to kill. This pseudo-practical barrier is so re levant that our laws have determined that killing for humane reasons is morally inferior to letting someone die an agonizing andRead MoreEuthanasia Is The Most Active1548 Words   |  7 Pages Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering. There are different euthanasia laws in each country. The British House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics defines euthanasia as a deliberate intervention undertaken with the express intention of ending a life, to relieve intractable suffering. In the Netherlands and Flanders, euthanasia is understood as termination of life by a doctor at the request of a patient. Euthanasia is categorizedRead MoreA Brief Note On Euthanasia And The United States882 Words   |  4 PagesHistory of Euthanasia in the U.S. Euthanasia is the act or practice, killing of permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy killing. Far more controversial, active euthanasia involves causing the death of a person through a direct action. In response to a request from the person. Euthanasia itself been around for as long as the history of medicine. This euthanasia is enormous and have long history in the United States. This soRead MoreEssay about Euthanasia1510 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Euthanasia continues to be a subject of ethical debate. It is defined as the administration of lethal drugs by someone other than the person concerned with the explicit intention of ending a patient’s life, at the latter’s explicit request (Quaghebeur, de Casterle, Gastmans, 2009). An unprecedented number of people in the United States today live well into their late adult years. Improved medical and public health practices, increasing life expectancies, and the â€Å"graying† of the