Euthanasia: Practice, Debate, and Ethical Considerations

This document explores the practice of euthanasia, including its different forms and historical origins. It delves into the ongoing debate surrounding euthanasia, focusing on the ethical considerations involved. The perspectives of religious leaders and the impact on healthcare professionals are discussed. The document also examines the benefits and controversies of euthanasia in healthcare.

Running head: EUTHANASIA
Euthanasia
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

EUTHANASIA 2
Euthanasia
Euthanasia is a practice where someone’s life who is under severe pain is intentionally
ended relieve pain and suffering. It is done by the medics at the request of the ailing patient. It is
grouped into different forms which include voluntary and non-voluntary. It is a practice that is
being embraced across all over the world. Euthanasia started in Ancient Greece and Rome where
the Socrates and the elder in the ancient world came together and deliberated hastening a
person’s death who was under severe pain and suffering (Keown, 2018). Despite the practice
being embraced there are people who do not support the move. Most of these quote ethical
factors to be the reason for their disapproval.
Euthanasia has faced intense debate from the ancient times. The legalization of
euthanasia has been discussed for many years and decades with different opinions being brought
up. These are considerations are mainly legal or ethical in nature and surround patients, care
givers and the health care providers. The health care providers are usually in dilemmas when
they are looking after the patients who are terminally ill and whose chances of surviving are very
minimal. This at times forces them to make very tough decisions using their moral and
professional reasoning. Health care professionals cannot decide to continue with euthanasia
without consulting patients and their care givers (Paterson, 2017).
Euthanasia is mostly viewed as murder most members of the society. Despite this,
physicians have to comply with the patients’ decisions unless it is legally unauthorized (Connor,
2017). The physicians are forced to make very tough decisions on either to withhold or withdraw
treatment for any patient based on the religious, cultural and legal factors. Deaths that occur as a
result of euthanasia are viewed in different perspectives between countries. In some countries,
euthanasia is legalized while it is illegal in others.

EUTHANASIA 3
Euthanasia has been seen as unnecessary by religious leaders. The argument put forth for
this is that human life is dignified and should not be taken away through such practices as
euthanasia (Pratt and Wood, 2015). They also argue that it is a violation of the human right to
life. This has influenced many religious people to be against euthanasia. Although this is the
case, there are various ethical issues raised especially where the client expresses their interest in
the inducement of euthanasia. Those who support euthanasia argues that it helps patient to be
relieved off pain once and for all by death. This helps in containing the total cost of treatment
thus saving the family the agony of financial constraints.
In conclusion, euthanasia is an alternative choice for a patient who are under pain and
suffering and their decision should be fully respected. This has helped greatly to reduce health
care cost in the countries that have embraced euthanasia. Patients with chronic illnesses and
those that are terminally ill are allowed to request euthanasia to stop them from further suffering.
Euthanasia is one of the topics that most people find disturbing because of the ethical dilemmas
that it raises. It will probably continue to raise questions until a proper way of handling the issue
is identified.

EUTHANASIA 4
References
Connor, S. R. (2017). Hospice and palliative care: The essential guide (3rd ed). New York:
Routledge.
Keown, J. (2018). Euthanasia, ethics and public policy: an argument against legalization (3rd
ed). London: Cambridge University Press.
Paterson, C. (2017). Assisted suicide and euthanasia: a natural law ethics approach (2nd ed).
New York: Routledge.
Pratt, M., & Wood, M. (2015). Art therapy in palliative care: The creative response (2nd ed).
New York: Routledge.

EUTHANASIA 5