Resources : It makes more sense to channel the resources of highly-skilled staff, equipment, hospital beds, and medications towards life-saving treatments for those who wish to live, rather than those who do not.
Humane : It is more humane to allow a person with intractable suffering to be allowed to choose to end that suffering. We already do it : If a beloved pet has intractable suffering, it is seen as an act of kindness to put it to sleep. Why should this kindness be denied to humans? Moral and religious arguments : Several faiths see euthanasia as a form of murder and morally unacceptable. Patient competence : Euthanasia is only voluntary if the patient is mentally competent, with a lucid understanding of available options and consequences and the ability to express that understanding and their wish to terminate their own life.
Determining or defining competence is not straightforward. Guilt : Patients may feel they are a burden on resources and are psychologically pressured into consenting. They may feel that the financial, emotional, and mental burden on their family is too great.
Even if the costs of treatment are provided by the state, there is a risk that hospital personnel may have an economic incentive to encourage euthanasia consent. Mental illness : A person with depression is more likely to ask for assisted suicide, and this can complicate the decision. Slippery slope : There is a risk that physician-assisted suicide will start with those who are terminally ill and wish to die because of intractable suffering, but then begin to include other individuals.
Possible recovery : Very occasionally, a patient recovers, against all the odds. The diagnosis might be wrong. In , researchers published findings of a survey in which they asked people from 74 countries their opinions on physician- assisted suicide.
Overall, 65 percent of respondents voted against physician-assisted suicide. In 11 of the 74 countries, the vote was mostly for. In 18 states, the majority were for physician-assisted suicide. These 18 did not include Washington or Oregon.
In , a Gallup poll indicated that 73 percent of respondents were in favor of euthanasia in the U. Among weekly churchgoers, Gallup found that 55 percent were in favor of a doctor ending the life of a patient who is terminally ill, compared with 87 percent of those who do not regularly attend church.
It is also a political issue. English Language Learners Definition of euthanasia. Medical Definition of euthanasia. Legal Definition of euthanasia. Get Word of the Day daily email! Test Your Vocabulary. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. Love words? Need even more definitions? Just between us: it's complicated. Ask the Editors 'Everyday' vs. By , a Gallup poll found a large shift in attitudes in the United States.
Almost three-quarters of people surveyed supported euthanasia. Another 67 percent said doctors should be allowed to assist patients with suicide. Their main objection was based on religious issues. More than 70 percent of those deaths were related to cancer. The review also found that in Washington and Oregon, doctors write less than 1 percent of prescriptions for assisted suicide.
There are many arguments both for and against euthanasia and PAS. Most of these arguments fall into four main categories:. Some people believe euthanasia is murder and find it unacceptable for moral reasons. Many also argue that the ability to decide your own death weakens the sanctity of life. In addition, many churches, religious groups, and faith organizations argue against euthanasia for similar reasons. PAS is only legal if someone is mentally capable of making the choice.
Some doctors and opponents of PAS are concerned about the ethical complications doctors could face. For more than 2, years, doctors have taken the Hippocratic oath.
This oath encourages doctors to care for and never harm those under their care. Some argue that the Hippocratic oath supports PAS since it ends suffering and brings no more harm.
On the other hand, some debate it results in harm to the person and their loved ones, who must watch their loved one suffer. This program is designed to help people navigate complicated end-of-life issues, from state laws to finding spiritual support. The National Institute on Aging also has great resources. They provide important questions to ask and tips for talking to doctors and other medical professionals about end-of-life care. For website information, contact the Office of Communications.
Contact the MU School of Medicine. Informational Alert Close. Learn how to schedule an appointment for vaccination or testing. Read More. Education Research Patient Care. Student Resources Faculty Resources. More Search. Can't find what you're looking for? Pages No Results. Center for Health Ethics. Section Menu. What is euthanasia? What are key disputes in the controversy over euthanasia? Some claim the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary treatment is artificial, contrived, vague, or constantly changing as technology progresses Death intended vs.
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