Example Of Essay On Assisted Suicide And The Legal/Ethical Implications

Kurt Darr’s “Physician-Assisted Suicide: Legal and Ethical Considerations” encompasses the controversial issue of assisted suicide and the legal/ethical implications that may occur as a consequence of deciding to end one’s own life. The article comprehensively discusses the major developments in physician assistance in ending patients’ lives and how such divisive measures have lifted up lawful and moral issues for doctors and healthcare institutions. The significant issues discussed include the standard values systems and how they have been impacted with the practice of assisted suicide. Darr also highlights the changing relationships and patterns of trust between the healthcare provider and the patient. The major theme of the article revolves around the idea that the slippery slope in euthanasia may eventually lead to the approval of certain practices that are usually unacceptable. Darr has explained how advocates of euthanasia present it as an autonomous right of an individual to decide about his/her life and ending it with complete willingness. He persistently stresses on the necessity of understanding the technological implications of patient liberty and how it may affect the ‘do-no-harm philosophy’ of healthcare practitioners and organizations (Darr, 2007). There was nothing in Darr’s article that signifies any advantage of physician-assisted suicide. In addition, he plainly states that no legislation concerning assisted suicide considers it the positive right of a patient to decide about his/her death timing and manner.
In my opinion, physician-assisted suicide is actually a dehumanizing practice especially when practitioners and nurses agree to end a patient’s life without considering the negative consequences. I do not believe that a nurse should provide help in assisted suicide as there are numerous ethical and professional implications of such an act. In fact, there could be no socially and morally acceptable justification to assist in dying as nurses are required to save lives and not end them. Above all, provision of assistance in such matters may end a nurse’s career forever.

References

Darr, K. (2007). Physician-Assisted Suicide: Legal and Ethical Considerations. Journal of Health Law, 40(01), 29-63.