Physicians Assisted Suicide - Research Paper Example

Therefore, it transpires that in the case of physician-assisted suicide, the elements of alleviation of pain and suffering or infeasibility of further treatment are not deemed mandatory. Though ancient Greek culture has recognized this practice on the grounds of rationality, it finally appears to have assumed a religious morality angle under the patronage of the Christian church, which ascribes a “sinful nature to suicide” (Lachman 121). In the modern day, a controversy exists on the topic because while some people argue that an individual reserves the right to end his or her life, others contend that aiding or assisting a person to commit suicide amounts to abetting murder. A. Purpose of the Paper: This paper attempts to explore the topic in detail, with specific reference to it legal, moral and social responsibility contexts and to analyze whether an extreme measure of physician assisted suicide can be accepted as a standard norm in a civilized society.

In doing so, the paper will examine the practical implication of the issue both on the society as well as an individual, who seeks to end his or her life due to some reason and rationale. B. . C. Background Information on the Topic: The claim to individual’s rights or autonomy is a tenable proposition and a patient’s right to choose between life and death, especially when he or she suffers from some incurable health condition, needs to be honored. However, religious notions and moral values imbibed in a civilized society forbid the voluntary termination of a life.

Thus, the question of the validity and legality of sanctioning physician-assisted suicide as a standard practice has become a matter of high controversy. Generally, patients with terminal health conditions such as AIDS, cancer etc are the ones who request to “hasten death” and it becomes an emotional and moral dilemma for the healthcare professionals (121). Research evidence from Oregon suggests that nearly “1 of 1,000” patients “obtain and use” medication to terminate their lives while “17%” of them have considered it as a viable option (123).

Thus, it appears that despite the reservation about ending of life by terminally ill patients, on the grounds of religious beliefs and morality, many choose it as a favorable option in states that legalize physician-assisted suicide. Therefore, there is scope for an in depth analysis and exploration of various legal aspects of the issue. In addition, I also have personal experience from within my community, wherein I have seen one neighbor suffering from breast cancer. Her condition remained so painful that she kept asking her husband and children to have her life terminated through PAS.

It was also difficult for her family to keep up with her, without compromising their daily commitments. Her husband was a sales executive in a big