The Issues on Euthanasia - Coursework Example

Running Head: Euthanasia A Paper on Euthanasia In APA Style Cover Letter In the process of doing the assignment which is related to euthanasia, the main feelings that can be achieved are the issues on morality of the process and the conflict between the sides that either hinder or support the said procedure. With regards to the assignment, it can be considered as a challenge and at the same time a learning moment. A challenge due to the fact that it is the life of people that is being decided upon, thus, it can be hard in terms of choosing and critically analyzing if euthanasia should be hindered or supported. At some point guilt over decisions needed to be made can even be felt. In terms of the lessons that had been learned, understanding of the two opposing sides can be one of the most important. In every argument, there are different points of view. Being able to stand for a particular view then can mean that there is a deep rooted reason for the person or the group, thus, an open mind is always a requirement to avoid more conflicts. In general, the paper is an interesting experience mainly due to the fact that while studying and researching the issues on euthanasia, a multitude of fields that are related to medicine, socio-politics, ethics and morality and the law had also been tackled. Though euthanasia is still an issue of debate, learning about the said concept can be considered as a responsibility of being a person, a citizen and a member of the society. Euthanasia Euthanasia is one of the issues in the medical profession that is commonly receiving critical reviews on the basis of continuous divided views with regards to the morality and ethical aspect of the said procedure undertaken on the basis of certain reasons. Euthanasia Defined Euthanasia is synonymous to the phrase “mercy killing” and rooted from the Greek terms eu meaning well and thanatos meaning death, thus, “a good death.” In the field of studies covering euthanasia it is defined on the basis of the different components such as intentional death performed by another person who is a professional, the act of neglect that can be harmful and ultimately causing death such as ceasing of needed care or out of compassion to the difficulties of the person targeted by euthanasia (Euthanasia.Com, 2001). Through the different definitions that can be given to the term euthanasia, it is important to consider that the sole requirement is the intention of causing death. For that matter, different sectors can be considered to have varied and divided viewed on undertaking such procedure. Classifications of Euthanasia Euthanasia can be categorized into different types on the basis of the interaction of different factors. Included in the types of euthanasia are the voluntary and involuntary which are based on consent of the person himself. The voluntary euthanasia is the type of euthanasia wherein the person who is killed asked for the undertaking of the death thus it occurs with consent of the person himself. On the other hand, the involuntary euthanasia is the killing a person with the consent of another person who is commonly related or has the authority to make such decisions for the person due to the lack of capability to do it on his own (Euthanasia.Com, 2001; Young, 2008). Other types include non-voluntary euthanasia, assisted euthanasia, euthanasia by action and euthanasia by omission. The non-voluntary euthanasia is a case wherein there is a decision that is needed to be made since no consent had been given by the person. Assisted suicide is a type of euthanasia wherein the person is provided with the means and ways that can lead to taking of his own life. The most common example of this type is the physician assisted suicide (Young 2007; 2008). Based on the said types of euthanasia, there are subsequent issues that are inevitably connected such as the reasons that can be used to justify such kind of act. The Issues Related to Euthanasia Basically upon the presentation of the different types of euthanasia, the main reasons that can be attached to such an act are consequently questioned. This can be attributed to the divided view that killing a person cannot in any reason be justifiable. There are different views that can be considered such as the medical, the moral and the legal aspects. All of the said aspects can be considered to have their own set of pros and cons that can be related to the issue. In relation to the medical aspect of the issue, there is a divided notion in the duty of the physicians to uphold life and the process of considering wherein a case can be hopeless and hard for a person. One side is the strict rule of upholding the safety of a person and doing all the possible ways to save a life which is considered as one of the basic doctrine in the profession of medicine. The question lies in the part wherein there are cases that the person is only alive due to the help of certain apparatus and machines. In such case, a query on the consideration on upholding life when in fact the body of the person is already dead in the absence of help from life support apparatus. There are other examples that can be sited but the main condition holds that the continuous conflict of whether to initiate death due to called for situations or to continuously hold on to the strict rule of upholding life regardless of the condition (Winkler, 1995). The moral issues can be similar to the medical aspect since the main focus is the basic right of a person to live. In cases wherein such capability is in question, the decision on either to uphold life or to give priority to other reasons that can favor euthanasia, the important decision is still needed to be undertaken. With regards to the provisions of the law, there are different views, thus, continued criticism can be witnessed. Some nations hindered while others permitted the undertaking of euthanasia (Biggar, 2004; Winkler, 1995). Conclusion Based on the study undertaken, it can be considered that the conflict and the contradictory actions of the groups that advocate or contradict euthanasia shall continue. The only premise that can be a weapon of the public in doubt and question is the continued and intensified vigilance of the people, both professionals and laymen that are faced in the decision on either to undertake or hinder euthanasia. May the people that will be killed be loved ones, enemies or people that are not known, it is important to critically analyze if such a procedure is necessary. References Biggar, N. (2004). Aiming to Kill: The Ethics of Suicide and Euthanasia. London: Darton, Longman and Todd. Euthanasia.Com (2001, November). Euthanasia Website Material. Retrieved March 29, 2009, from http://www.spuc.org.uk/documents/papers/euthanasia.pdf Young, R. (2007). Medically Assisted Death. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Young, R. (2008, August 27). Voluntary Euthanasia. Retrieved March 29, 2009, from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/euthanasia-voluntary/ Winkler, E. (1995). Reflections on the State of Current Debate Over Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia. Bioethics, 9: 313-326. Read More