Discuss physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in the United States.
300 words – These are the questions here that need to be answed. The rest is just information to look at
Discuss physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in the United States.
What position do you advocate? Your response should include your specific rationale, and it should be clear that you understand the difference between the two.
Please read the information below for further clarification.
Please feel free to respectfully agree to disagree.
Historical Overview: How Americans Died in the Past
In the early 1900s the average life expectancy was 50 years
Childhood mortality was high
Those who became adults could expect to live well into their 60s
Few people lived to the ages that we regard as “normal” today
Until the development of antibiotics in the mid-20th century…
People typically died quickly, often from causes such as:
Infectious diseases and accidents
As only a few remedies were available to extend life, medicine focused on caring and comfort
While customs and traditions varied across cultures, most cared for their sick at home with support from their physician, if one was available
Medicine’s Shift in Focus: Impact on Death and Dying
Many authorities have suggested that we have become a “death denying” society—
Valuing….Productivity….Youth and Independence
Devaluing…..Age….Family….Interdependent caring for one another
As of 2007 the U.S. life expectancy reached nearly 78 years (77.9), (CDC).
Over a decade, life expectancy has increased 1.4 years from 76.5 years in 1997 to 77.9 in 2007.
Physician-assisted suicide:
The physician provides the necessary means or information
The patient performs the act
In Euthanasia: The physician performs the intervention
Euthanasia is defined as “the act of bringing about the death of a hopelessly ill and suffering person in a relatively quick and painless way for reasons of mercy” (Back et al)
Arguments in favor of PAS
Respect for autonomy: Decisions about time and circumstances death are very personal. Competent person should have right to choose death.
Compassion: Suffering means more than pain; there are other physical and psychological burdens. It is not always possible to relieve suffering. Thus PAS may be a compassionate response to unbearable suffering.
Individual liberty vs. state interest: A complete prohibition on assisted death excessively limits personal liberty. Therefore PAS should be allowed in certain cases.
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