Topic 8 DQ 1 – What is your opinion on end-of-life issues? Do you believe, ethically, that
individuals have the right to choose when and how to die? Why or why not?
Hello class,
This topic is a difficult one for me to say the least. I feel like I can understand where people
come from when they may want to die but I also can feel for their families in these situations as
well. I understand the desire that many terminally ill individuals have to end their lives on their
own terms. I also know if I were in that position and my suffering was becoming too much, I
would consider that option. I can imagine that chronic pain can get so bad that an assisted death
can be the only relief one gets. I think, because it is so personal and unique to each person’s
situation, which the decision for an assisted death should be up to the patient and no one else.
Suicide and Euthanasia in the medical world refer to assisted dying. This is a controversial issue
alone within the medical community and within society in general. Some physicians feel as
though they should not participate in an assisted suicide because of their personal beliefs. Other
physicians feel as though they should participate if the patient is, unfortunately, beyond any
medical and other help. Patients who become interested in euthanasia are typically terminally ill
and worried about any future pain and/or loss of autonomy and function. There are people who
are depressed, but if that could be relieved, these patients may change their minds about an
assisted death. There can be two ways this goes. “The first is an assisted suicide, in which the
physician is aware of the prescribed drug or knowingly describes the doses and methods
required, and the patient completes the final step. The second is euthanasia, in which the
physician will typically complete the final step, usually with a drug. Psychological assessments
are a required part of this healthcare aspect” (Sarafino & Smith, 2017).
This is a controversial topic and like all topics, there are advantages and disadvantages. One
advantage is the respect for patient autonomy, which gives patients their right to make their own
medical decisions. Another advantage is the relief of suffering it brings, especially for those with
a life-threatening illness. Another advantage is the safe medical practice it can be. Suicide on
one’s own can go either way; a healthcare provider can ensure the death in a safe way. One
disadvantage is a term coined suicide contagion, a spike in suicides, which occur after high
profile suicides. Another disadvantage is the concept of a slippery slope. This can either refer to
individuals have the right to choose when and how to die? Why or why not?
Hello class,
This topic is a difficult one for me to say the least. I feel like I can understand where people
come from when they may want to die but I also can feel for their families in these situations as
well. I understand the desire that many terminally ill individuals have to end their lives on their
own terms. I also know if I were in that position and my suffering was becoming too much, I
would consider that option. I can imagine that chronic pain can get so bad that an assisted death
can be the only relief one gets. I think, because it is so personal and unique to each person’s
situation, which the decision for an assisted death should be up to the patient and no one else.
Suicide and Euthanasia in the medical world refer to assisted dying. This is a controversial issue
alone within the medical community and within society in general. Some physicians feel as
though they should not participate in an assisted suicide because of their personal beliefs. Other
physicians feel as though they should participate if the patient is, unfortunately, beyond any
medical and other help. Patients who become interested in euthanasia are typically terminally ill
and worried about any future pain and/or loss of autonomy and function. There are people who
are depressed, but if that could be relieved, these patients may change their minds about an
assisted death. There can be two ways this goes. “The first is an assisted suicide, in which the
physician is aware of the prescribed drug or knowingly describes the doses and methods
required, and the patient completes the final step. The second is euthanasia, in which the
physician will typically complete the final step, usually with a drug. Psychological assessments
are a required part of this healthcare aspect” (Sarafino & Smith, 2017).
This is a controversial topic and like all topics, there are advantages and disadvantages. One
advantage is the respect for patient autonomy, which gives patients their right to make their own
medical decisions. Another advantage is the relief of suffering it brings, especially for those with
a life-threatening illness. Another advantage is the safe medical practice it can be. Suicide on
one’s own can go either way; a healthcare provider can ensure the death in a safe way. One
disadvantage is a term coined suicide contagion, a spike in suicides, which occur after high
profile suicides. Another disadvantage is the concept of a slippery slope. This can either refer to
