According to the Oxford dictionary, euthanasia is defined as the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or an irreversible coma. Those in favor argue that this is done motivated by kindness and a desire to end suffering. Those against Euthanasia understand why those in favor of Euthanasia say it is ok to practice it, but one must understand that Euthanasia is contrary to the Hippocratic Oath. According to the Hippocratic Oath doctors should never, “give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art” (par. 4). This oath is taken by all doctors after graduating and before they start practicing medicine. No matter what religious, ethnic or ideological position people take, it is undeniable that doctors carry a huge responsibility when dealing with patients’ health and lives. It is paradoxical to allow doctors to kill patients when their main goal is to prevent or cure a disease, and in other cases save lives. In times of great stress, relatives of ill patients rely on their doctors without questioning his decisions. This was the case of Dr. Harold Shipman, a respected man by his community and fellow coworkers, until he was found guilty of killing more than 250 people, mainly elderly women. Dr. Harold Shipman would visit his patients’ house and secretly give them an overdose of morphine, and then go back to his office and change his patients’ medical records to make it look like they died because of natural cause; few hours later his patients would die. In his trial, Euthanasia was ruled out because none of the victims had had terminal illness ...
... middle of paper ...
...tic Oath." Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries. Springshare, 3 Apr. 2014. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. .
"Hospice Vs. Palliative Care." Hospice Vs. Palliative Care. FamilyCare America, Inc., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2014. .
Ottley, Ted. "Dr. Harold Shipman, the World's Most Prolific Serial Killer." Crime Library. Turner Entertainment Networks, Inc., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2014. .
Urofsky, Melvin I., and Philip E. Urofsky. "The Current State of the Law in the Netherlands." Definitions and Moral Perspectives: Death, Euthanasia, Suicide, and Living Wills. Vol. 1. New York: Garland Pub., 1996. 111-12. Print.
Once physician- assisted suicide (PAS) is legalized, the Oath doctors take would be infringed upon. Allen states “Physician-assisted suicide is viewed as the most controversial types of euthanasia because it violates the Hippocratic Oath” (15). The oath consists of the doctors promising to keep the patients’ health and well-being first and try their best to keep their patients’ lives long and healthy until it is naturally their time to leave the world. (Allen 15). It is obviously a violation of the oath when doctors aid in the death of their patients. They do not help the patients pr...
Intro: The Hippocratic Oath clearly states, “I will not give a drug that is deadly to anyone if asked [for it], nor will I suggest the way to such counsel.”Steven Miles, a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School published an article, “The Hippocratic Oath,” expressing that doctors must uphold the standards of the Hippocratic Oath to modern relevance. Euthanasia continues as a controversial policy issue. Providing resourceful information allows us to recognize what is in the best interest for patients and doctors alike. Today, I will convince you that physician-assisted suicide should be illegal. The United States must implement a policy stopping the usage of euthanasia for the terminally ill. I will provide knowledge of
"Hospice Services and Expenses (About Hospice)." Home (Hospice Foundation of America). Web. 23 Jan. 2011. .
distant cousin of euthanasia, in which a person wishes to commit suicide. feels unable to perform the act alone because of a physical disability or lack of knowledge about the most effective means. An individual who assists a suicide victim in accomplishing that goal may or may not be held responsible for. the death, depending on local laws. There is a distinct difference between euthanasia and assisted suicide. This paper targets euthanasia; pros and cons. not to be assisted in suicide. & nbsp; Thesis Argument That Euthanasia Should Be Accepted & nbsp;
In addition to lawfulness it is unethical. Doctors should not be given Legislative power to administer death since it can cause a slippery slope. For example, euthanasia is allowed in Netherlands for twenty three years and doctors have went from killing terminally ill who asks for it, to killing chronically ill who asks for it, and to newborn babies who are born with birth defects at their parents request. Furthermore, euthanasia might become the cost effective way treat people with terminal illness. For example, the patient might request euthanasia bec...
CRAIG PATERSON, THE CONTRIBUTION OF NATURAL LAW THEORY TO MORAL AND LEGAL DEBATE CONCERNING SUICIDE, ASSISTED SUICIDE, AND EUTHANASIA (Universal-Publishers 2010).
Outline Thesis: This background, together with a believable plot, convincing characterization, and important literary devices, enables D. H. Lawrence in “Jimmy and the Desperate Woman” to develop the theme that real men do take responsibility. I. D. H. Lawrence’s background influenced him to write the short story, “Jimmy and the Desperate Woman.” A. &nb B. In addition to his parents, another influence on the story is a & II. To develop this theme, Lawrence creates a believable plot. A. Primarily, this plot is believable because Jimmy, the &n B. In addition to a realistic conflict, this plot is also believable & III. Along with a believable plot, Lawrence further develops the theme of “Jimmy and the Desperate Woman” by convincing characterization of the protagonist, Jimmy. A. Jimmy is a convincing character because he consistently is &n B. In addition, Jimmy is convincing character because his love for &nbs C. Finally, Jimmy is a convincing character because he is lifelike. IV. Importantly, Lawrence develops the theme of “Jimmy and the Desperate Woman” by using significant A. One of these devices is symbolism B.   V. After analyzing how the author’s background, the plot, the characterization, and the literary devices contribute to the development of the theme of “Jimmy and A. One reason that this story rates high is that its purpose is to &n B. Another reason that this story rates high on the scale of value is A Critical Analysis of “Jimmy and the Desperate Woman” by D. H. Lawrence D. H. Lawrence’s background influenced him to write the short story, “Jimmy and the Desperate Woman”.
A boy comes of age in an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx. His father gives him a piece of advice: "Nothing is more tragic than a wasted talent." A street-corner gangster gives him another piece of advice: "Nobody really cares." These pieces of advice seem contradictory, but the boy finds that they make a nice fit.
William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry, was widely known for his short stories. He is often reffered to as the "Master of Short Stories." His stories were filled with twist and irony within the plot. "Some have called him the American Maupassant because of his so well made surprising endings" (Online). In 1908 critic Henry James Forman wrote that "No talent could be more original or more delightful. The combination of technical excellence with whimsical, sparkling wit, abundant humor and a fertile invention is so rare that the reader is content without comparisons" (Nextext Online). O. Henry also used reoccuring themes in his stories such as love above everything else.
Palliative care “focuses more broadly on improving life and providing comfort to people of all ages with serious, chronic, and life-threatening illnesses” (http://www.WebMD.com). Palliative care is not the same as hospice, since it is not only for the dying. According ...
When a woman gets pregnant, she and her partner make a serious decision whether they should give birth to the unborn child or abort it. However, sometimes every couple can have a different outlook about giving birth or aborting because every male and female has his or her ways of thinking. In “Hills Like White Elephants,” the author, Ernest Hemingway tells a story of an American man and his girlfriend, Jig, who have a disagreement in the train station on the subject of whether to keep the unborn child or to abort. However, the author uses binary opposition of life and death to portray the polemic argument a couple encounters regarding abortion. As a symbol for the binary opposition of life and death, he represents the couple’s expressions, feelings, and the description of nature.
Urofsky, Melvin I. Lethal Judgments: Assisted Suicide and American Law. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2000. Print.
Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is a play that touches upon many themes, one of which, provides readers with an insight as to how Elizabethan England viewed life and death. Shakespeare uses soliloquies and significant speeches to convey the character’s true thoughts and emotions. Furthermore, the code of honour, an embodiment of how people should prioritize making decisions, is an underlying moral in the story. Essentially, the code of honour states that the country should be the top priority, secondly the family and lastly yourself. Hamlet, the protagonist in the play, was told by his murdered father’s ghost to avenge his death, but because he was reluctant to follow the code, the play ends in tragedy. Closer analysis of Hamlet’s principle speeches offers a window to his evolving view of life and death.
In the medical field a controversial topic is that of euthanasia. Euthanasia is the act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment. Euthanasia in the medical field is also known as Physician Assisted Suicide. In order for a physician to even consider euthanasia there are a six steps to follow for approval. One the patient must be deemed medically aware of what they are asking. Two the patient must be terminally ill. Three the patient is informed of their situation and prospects. Four there are no reasonable prospects to relieve suffering. Five an independent physician must be consulted. Six euthanasia or PAS is performed with due medical care and attention. “The act does not entail a legal right to euthanasia or PAS nor does in contain a limit on a patient’s life expectancy.”(Kouwenhoven. Raijmakers. Pg.1.) There are so many good reasons as to why euthanasia should be considered, but many baulk at the idea. People see the words such as euthanasia and suicide and instantly act as though the physician is committing murder. Is it the pubic that makes euthanasia and PAS out to be worse then what it really is or, the physician that is concerned about how it will effect their personally feelings? Is euthanasia and PAS just a prettier way of saying, to kill someone? Is that what makes it okay, and not to be considered murder?
People believe physicians should be able to aid in this process because they have valuable knowledge on how the body works, “… knowledge that can be used to kill or to cure” (Callahan 74). This argument contradicts the moral meaning of medicine. Indeed, the word "medical" comes from the Latin word “mederi,” which means "to heal." Medicine is understood to heal, cure, or comfort people, not kill. As a matter of fact, in the International Medical Code of Ethics and the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics fully states that the act of euthanasia violates their role and shall not be performed. Just because of the mere fact that physicians have the knowledge and medical equipment to kill does not indicate a physician should be permitted to perform euthanasia. Dan Brock states, “… permitting physicians to perform euthanasia, it is said, would be incompatible with their fundamental moral and professional commitment as healers to care for patients and to protect life” (77). Dan Brock also raises the question, if euthanasia became a common practice that was performed by physicians, would we eventually fear or lose trust in our physicians?