World Affairs: Argumentative Essays Examples

Physician Assisted Suicide

ASSISTED SUICIDE 2
Assisted Suicide
“If you don't have liberty and self-determination, you've got nothing, that's what this is. What this country is built on. And this is the ultimate self-determination, when you determine how and when you're going to die when you're suffering” Stated by the late Jack Kevorkian who was a principal advocate for assisted suicide and means of modern day euthanasia. When speaking of a concept such as physician assisted suicide, it can raise many conflicts such as religious concerns and contrary doctrines in which many live by, that may be affected when it comes to a concept that basically advocates “helping someone die”. However those not necessarily held down by mythology and/or religious fanaticism and dogma may see the concept as helping someone die, “with dignity”.
Imagine yourself in the body of a victim that has been facing excruciating pain and endless suffering for many years, but can do nothing to end it. This ongoing pain forces you in desperation of need in relation to somehow terminating your agony, however the thought of ask your loved ones to assist you, may likely put them into serious troubles both emotionally and psychologically. Unfortunately, there have been many situations as such and are excessively ongoing today, simply because the law does not allow a human being, who is knowingly and rational aware of a terminal illness that they are struggling to altercate and would rather end their abhorrent suffering than sit on the edge of death until the natural time to pass on presents itself (Should assisted suicide be legalized?, 2013). “The patient's autonomy always, always should be respected, even if it is absolutely contrary. The decision is contrary to best medical advice and what the physician wants. (Wijdicks, F. M., Eelco, 2013,). In today’s modern and developed society, a human being should have the absolute and moral right to choose freely what they want

ASSISTED SUICIDE 3

“Under present law, suicide is not a crime, but assisting in suicide is” (Andre, C., & Valesquez, M., n.d.). Obtaining the right to freedom of free will is an accepted and legitimate decree in which society attains. However contrary to this mandate why does this right of freedom and freewill not include the right to end one's life when one so chooses? It is a doctors oath to "do no harm", in which no harm must be imposed or allowed upon his/her victims. However this can be seen as immensely hypocritical, when a doctor denies the legislation of death upon the patient’s rational request, due to the patient's severe suffering and harm. It can be said that physician assisted suicide should be considered as the right thing to do, if an individual patient chooses to take this route on their own and sole behalf. It is not harmful to others and does not subject anyone, to any means of danger. (Should assisted suicide be legalized?, 2013).
It can be said that from a religious perspective, many have said that to assist in one’s death and to allow a victim to make such a decision is morally and ethically wrong on many levels as it is interfering with the natural process in which God has set forth for all of mankind, and one must not play God. However anytime one chooses to interfere with the natural process, they are playing God. When a doctor distributes medication to his patient to ease the pain and suffering; this is interfering with the natural process in which God naturally determines. Does this mean that anytime a person is sick, that they should refrain from receiving any medical

ASSISTED SUICIDE 4

treatment whatsoever and avoid going to a doctor for assistance because technically you are asking for interference with God's will? This concept is what can be seen as rationally unethical (Andre, C., & Valesquez, M., n.d.).
There have been many cases, even this very moment, where symptoms cannot be sufficiently controlled. It is with common situations as such, that perceivably an individual’s “loss of autonomy and dignity” unfortunately is what’s at stake. If a patient wishes to “proactively shape the end of their life” why deny them this action when it can be on numerous levels passively better than simply waiting for death to occur (Biller-Andorno, M.D., Ph.D., N., 2013). “One of medicines most important purposes is to allow hopelessly ill people to die with as much comfort, control, and dignity as possible. This philosophy and technique of comfort care provide a humane alternative to more traditional, curative medical approaches in helping patients achieve this end” (Blank, R., & Bonnicksen, A., 2013).
It is important to conclude that the decision to provide suicide assistance is not something that should be forced nor promoted, however the affirmation and allocation should most definitely be present. Ultimately a decision as such should and needs to be left in the hands of the patient, as it is a sincerely complex matter that simply urges “individual conscience” (Biller-Andorno, M.D., Ph.D., N., 2013).Furthermore, “if a physician is prepared to respond to a request for assistance in suicide” there should be no means to deny them this capacity by law, as there are no ethical reasons to deny a physician of this role. No matter what the case may be, physician-assisted suicide advocation continues to increase on an international level, and should be seen and accepted by society as a choice of dignity and pride when taken to a patient’s death.
ASSISTED SUICIDE 5

References

Andre, C., & Valesquez, M. (n.d.). Assisted Suicide: A Right or a Wrong? Retrieved February 21, 2015, from <http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/iie/v1n>
Should assisted suicide be legalized? (2013, January 1). Retrieved February 21, 2015, from <http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-assisted-suicide-be- legalized/arguments/DCD9EA3B-F1EF-4AA1-A3A3-35EC05FCFC34>
Wijdicks, F. M., Eelco. (2013, January 1). Physician-Assisted Suicide in Film - Revitalized Book Articles. Retrieved February 21, 2015, from <http://books?hl=en&lr=&id=DDPcBQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA150 &dq=%22physician+assisted+suicide22+2014&=trNJOC5&sig=wH8VWUdA 6SUyZVlApJpjT0ul0fE#v=onepage&q&f=false>
Biller-Andorno, M.D., Ph.D., N. (2013, April 24). Physician-Assisted Suicide — NEJM. Retrieved February 21, 2015, from <http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde1302615>
Blank, R., & Bonnicksen, A. (2013, August 11). Physician Assisted Suicide: Proposed Clinical Criteria. Retrieved February 21, 2015, from <http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=5qhAQpt7a2QC&oi=fnd&pg=PA188&dq physicianassistedsuicide&ots=yXYrUpHo0B&sig=YVoahPCFrfxp50NPVWxQvdEJkKk #v=onepage&q=physician assisted suicide&f=false>