PLS3701
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2025
Detailed Solutions, References & Explanations
Unique number: 872216
Due Date: 29 April 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC 1 BIOMEDICAL ETHICS........................................................... 2
TOPIC 2 BUSINESS ETHICS............................................................... 6
TOPIC 3 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS ................................................ 11
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
TOPIC 1 BIOMEDICAL ETHICS
Euthanasia and the Ethical Distinction from Withdrawing Life-Sustaining
Treatment
Introduction
The ethics of death and dying remains one of the most challenging areas in
biomedical ethics. Two related but different practices—euthanasia, specifically in
the form of physician-assisted dying, and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment—
raise difficult questions. Are they ethically the same, or is there a real moral
difference? This essay critically engages with this debate by analysing key ethical
principles such as autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. It will draw on
philosophical perspectives and relevant case studies to develop a clear argument.
Understanding the Concepts
Euthanasia refers to the intentional act of causing a patient's death to relieve
suffering, often with the patient's request and consent. In physician-assisted dying,
the doctor provides the means for death, but the patient performs the final act
(Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).
Withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, on the other hand, means stopping
medical interventions (like ventilators or feeding tubes) that are keeping a patient
alive. The disease then takes its natural course, leading to death (Kuhse & Singer,
2006).
At first glance, both actions result in death. However, the ethical principles behind
each are different, which this essay will now explore.
The Principle of Autonomy
Autonomy is the right of individuals to make decisions about their own bodies and
lives. Respect for autonomy means respecting a patient's wishes about their
medical treatment. If a patient asks for physician-assisted dying, respecting
autonomy supports that choice.
Similarly, if a patient refuses life-sustaining treatment, autonomy requires that
doctors respect this refusal, even if it leads to death (Beauchamp & Childress,
2019).
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2025
Detailed Solutions, References & Explanations
Unique number: 872216
Due Date: 29 April 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC 1 BIOMEDICAL ETHICS........................................................... 2
TOPIC 2 BUSINESS ETHICS............................................................... 6
TOPIC 3 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS ................................................ 11
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
TOPIC 1 BIOMEDICAL ETHICS
Euthanasia and the Ethical Distinction from Withdrawing Life-Sustaining
Treatment
Introduction
The ethics of death and dying remains one of the most challenging areas in
biomedical ethics. Two related but different practices—euthanasia, specifically in
the form of physician-assisted dying, and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment—
raise difficult questions. Are they ethically the same, or is there a real moral
difference? This essay critically engages with this debate by analysing key ethical
principles such as autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. It will draw on
philosophical perspectives and relevant case studies to develop a clear argument.
Understanding the Concepts
Euthanasia refers to the intentional act of causing a patient's death to relieve
suffering, often with the patient's request and consent. In physician-assisted dying,
the doctor provides the means for death, but the patient performs the final act
(Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).
Withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, on the other hand, means stopping
medical interventions (like ventilators or feeding tubes) that are keeping a patient
alive. The disease then takes its natural course, leading to death (Kuhse & Singer,
2006).
At first glance, both actions result in death. However, the ethical principles behind
each are different, which this essay will now explore.
The Principle of Autonomy
Autonomy is the right of individuals to make decisions about their own bodies and
lives. Respect for autonomy means respecting a patient's wishes about their
medical treatment. If a patient asks for physician-assisted dying, respecting
autonomy supports that choice.
Similarly, if a patient refuses life-sustaining treatment, autonomy requires that
doctors respect this refusal, even if it leads to death (Beauchamp & Childress,
2019).
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
