Oregon Death with Dignity Act
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Apr 3, 2024
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Oregon Death with Dignity Act
Paula Hernandez
West Coast University
PHIL 434: Medical Ethics and Issues
Dr. Ulrich
2/4/2024
One of the most contentious issues in the world today is physician-assisted suicide. Those in favor of legalizing it frequently discuss it, while those opposed refrain from bringing it up in a conversation. A fair distribution of the topic's advantages and disadvantages makes it possible for people to discuss their positions fairly. According to the claim, prior to opting for physician-
assisted suicide (PAS), the patient must be informed of all available alternatives (Tosh, n.d). Presumably, PAS is sympathetic and occasionally required to put an end to human suffering. Others, on the other hand, see it as an "offense to the sanctity of life, abrogation of rights of the individual in question is not of sound mind" (Tosh, n.d., 2:08).
Humans in this world must decide whether or not to accept medical assistance in ending their lives, and whether or not this is within the responsibility of a provider. I had a basic knowledge of PAS before learning about its specific positive and negative aspects. Before I knew what physician-assisted suicide involved, my experience led me to support the cause. I was confident that using this approach would provide long-term patients with the peace of mind they had long been hoping for.
After giving this topic a lot of thought, I developed the following approach, which, in this case, really speaks to me: the thoughtfully constructed "death with dignity statute," which protects both the patient and the physician. For PAS to be considered lawful, the patient needs to be reasonable and well-informed when it comes to their options. Using this ethical approach, other states that are currently considering passing a similar law might be persuaded to do so (Tosh, n.d). Since it lays out the precise limits set for the patient and the provider, this is morally right. There is a relationship between this moral idea and the virtue ethics ethical theory. And since "that role was to heal the sick, it requires virtues of compassion, knowledge of healing, and skill in human relations" (Pence, 2019, p. 2). As a result, it is clear that virtual ethics revolves around
the patient's best interests and the compassion a provider must demonstrate to recognize the patient's pain or suffering. The quote "if we have learned how to live properly and calmly, we will know how to die in the same manner" is said to come from Michel de Montaigne (Pence, 2019, p. 28).
Physician-assisted suicide is morally more acceptable than most people realize. Instead of letting their illness take control of their lacking bodies and cause them to pass away painfully, it gives people the option to end their lives on their own terms. Individuals feel seen and understood when they are distressed whenever others show them empathy and compassion. By this time, the patient is now fully aware of the other options available to them before deciding to end their life.
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Reference:
Pence, G. (2021). Medical ethics: Accounts of ground-breaking cases (9th ed.). McGraw Hill Education.
Tosh, N. (n.d.). Annual ethics symposium: Evolving ethics: Debating the death with dignity act [Video]. Canvas@WCU. https://canvas.westcoastuniversity.edu/
Others, on the other hand, see it as an "offense to the sanctity of
life, abrogation of rights of the individual in question is not of sound mind" (Tosh, n.d., 2:08
Others, on the other hand, see it as an "offense to the sanctity of
life, abrogation of rights of the individual in question
is not of sound mind" (Tosh, n.d., 2:08
Others, on the other hand, see it as an "offense to the sanctity of
life, abrogation of rights of the individual in question is not of sound mind" (Tosh, n.d., 2:08)
Others, on the other hand, see it as an "offense to the sanctity of
life,
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
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abrogation of rights of the individual in question is not of sound mind" (Tosh, n.d., 2:0