Saturday, October 10, 2009
un-biased
As a first time blogger, who has an opinion on my topic of euthanasia it is important to remain unbiased while going through this experience. Therefore, in this post I will point out and discuss some exceptions that could possibly constitute for euthanasia (physician assisted suicide). First off there are a lot of people that go through excruciating pain that the health care professionals are not able to alleviate. I can see how this would bring about a miserable life for a person and the possibility that there could be an end to their suffering might seem like the best option. I especially consider this for the elderly who have lived their life to the fullest and are ready for the end to come. Second, some patients feel a loss of dignity when faced with severe sickness or disease. Personally I have experienced clinical rotations at a nursing home and have seen first-hand the effects of this. Instances such as these could cause for the inquiry into euthanasia. The dehumanized sentiments felt by persons going through these predicaments could cause them to fell that ending their life is the best thing to do. I hope that most physicians would perform this practice if legalized in the best interest of their patient. With that being said, if euthanasia were to be implemented by doctors there would have to be precise guidelines that would have to be followed to ensure that the jurisdiction given to doctors to perform euthanasia is not abused http://www.thehumanist.com/humanist/articles/rogatz.htm.
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I agree that living a miserable, sick life is not one to cherish. Most people do not want to die painfully.
ReplyDeleteI have experienced this situation before. My paternal grandfather was suffering in the hospital. My uncle was there alongside him, watching him and caring for him. However, his condition worsened over the days. His EKG flat lined and the nurses were about to use the defibrillator on him. My uncle told them not to because my uncle saw that my grandfather has suffered enough and let him go peacefully. The story is not fresh in my mind, but that is what I remember.
This would not be considered euthanasia because consent was given...but is this the same situation? probably not(?)
I agree that there are some instances in which one should maybe consider euthanasia as an option to end suffering. I've heard an abundant amount of stories about people being in a coma for years and years, and their family members have to contemplate over whether or not they will end their loved ones lives. Personally, I do not agree with euthanasia when someone wants to die just because they are stressed or something in life is not going right, but I do feel that sometimes euthanasia may be the right choice for victims, who are suffering.
ReplyDeleteNatureNurture,
ReplyDeleteFirst of let me say I am sorry for the loss of your grandfather but a DNR (do not resuscitate) order and euthanasia are two different things…thank you for the comment thought
Health Fanatic,
How are we to know that there will not be an end to a sick person’s suffering? Yes, some people do experience pain right up to their death and it is the health care provider’s job to be knowledgeable about a variety of pain medications and keep their patients as comfortable as possible. But there are also many stories about people who have faced a horrible disease and recover from it when the doctors said that it was impossible! Just something to think about. Thanks for the comment!
It is a possibility that I've been watching too much Grey's Anatomy, but DNR seems like something that should be talked about prior to sickness or state of emotional distress. I think that euthanasia should be a similar circumstance. The patient should tell the doctor that they don't want to suffer or draw the line at a certain point. Is that a viable solution? I know pain is different for everyone, but my family members have clarified things like that before in passing like "if that happened to me, just put me out of my misery". Many people feel that way, and I think the patient should analyze how hard they are willing to fight for their life depending on the level of pain. As you said in your first blog, some people are just ready to go, especially if they are elderly or in a lot of pain. Are there many circumstances of euthanasia that are against the patient's will? Why else would anyone classify it as murder if it is what the patient wants?
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