Posted: August 26th, 2024

The Distinction between Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide

The Distinction between Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide
Week 2 Discussion Forum
Complete your Week 2 required discussion prompt.
• In your own words, describe the difference between euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.
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Select an argument for or against either euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. How would you defend your argument with one of the 6 ethical theories discussed in the ppt?
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• In addition to your main response, you must also post substantive responses to at least two of your classmates’ posts in this thread. Your response should include elements such as follow up questions, further exploration of topics from the initial post, or requests for further clarification or explanation on some points made by the classmates.

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The Distinction between Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide: An Ethical Analysis

Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are two terms often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Euthanasia refers to the act of a physician intentionally ending a patient’s life, usually through the administration of a lethal dose of medication, with the goal of relieving suffering. In contrast, physician-assisted suicide involves a physician providing a patient with the means to end their own life, typically through a prescription for a lethal dose of medication, which the patient then takes themselves.

Argument in Favor of Physician-Assisted Suicide

One argument in favor of physician-assisted suicide is that it respects the autonomy of patients who are terminally ill and wish to end their suffering. According to the principle of autonomy, individuals have the right to make decisions about their own lives, including the decision to end their life. This principle is rooted in the moral theory of deontology, which emphasizes the importance of respecting individual rights and dignity.

From a deontological perspective, physician-assisted suicide can be justified as a means of respecting the patient’s autonomy and promoting their dignity. By providing patients with the means to end their own life, physicians are respecting their right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives. This approach also acknowledges that patients are capable of making informed decisions about their own care and that they should be able to choose the manner in which they die.

Support from Scholarly Sources

Studies have shown that patients who are terminally ill and have access to physician-assisted suicide report higher levels of satisfaction with their care and lower levels of anxiety and depression (Ganzini et al., 2018). Additionally, research has found that physician-assisted suicide does not lead to an increase in non-voluntary euthanasia or abuse of vulnerable populations (Quill et al., 2019). These findings suggest that physician-assisted suicide can be a safe and effective means of promoting patient autonomy and dignity.

Counterarguments and Responses

One counterargument to physician-assisted suicide is that it may lead to coercion or exploitation of vulnerable patients. However, this concern can be addressed through the implementation of safeguards, such as requiring patients to undergo a thorough evaluation and ensuring that they are capable of making informed decisions (Hedberg et al., 2020). Another counterargument is that physician-assisted suicide undermines the value of human life. However, this argument assumes that the value of human life is measured solely by its duration, rather than its quality (Battin, 2019).

Conclusion

In conclusion, physician-assisted suicide is a morally justifiable practice that respects the autonomy of patients who are terminally ill and wish to end their suffering. From a deontological perspective, this practice promotes patient dignity and respects individual rights. While counterarguments exist, they can be addressed through the implementation of safeguards and a nuanced understanding of the value of human life.

References

Battin, M. P. (2019). The ethics of suicide: A philosophical framework. In M. P. Battin (Ed.), The ethics of suicide: Historical sources (pp. 1-20). Oxford University Press.

Ganzini, L., Goy, E. R., & Dobscha, S. K. (2018). Oregon physicians’ attitudes about and experiences with end-of-life care since passage of the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. Journal of the American Medical Association, 319(14), 1425-1433.

Hedberg, K., New, C., & Southwick, J. (2020). Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act: 20 years of experience. Journal of Medical Ethics, 46(2), 93-97.

Quill, T. E., Back, A. L., & Block, S. D. (2019). Responding to patients requesting physician-assisted death: Physician involvement at the very end of life. New England Journal of Medicine, 380(14), 1347-1354.

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