Ethical Issues In Assisted Suicide States

| Friday, May 15, 2015
By Tammie Caldwell


Euthanasia is the act of mercy killing and is done either on animals and humans. However, this has been banned in many countries since devout pro life religious sectors have strongly opposed this. The topic is getting hotter once again when some states in America including Vermont, Washington, and Oregon. However, there are requirements that need to be met. This will be the last resort that the physician can come up for hopeless terminally ill patients.

For many religious groups and humane societies, they strongly oppose this type of killing. They strongly believe that death is not in the hands of man. It is a natural cause or occurrence that cannot be administered by any human being. These assisted suicide states require that the terminally ill patient requests the act to be acted upon him or her.

There are certain requirements that need to be met in order to complete the request. First and foremost, the patient should request it in his or her own will, sound judgment, and clear intentions. This should be witnessed by two individuals, a doctor and another one who is not related by blood to the patient. There should also be two doctors that have diagnosed the same illness and that only around six months remains to be lived.

If these requirements are met, the patient will be granted the request after he or she requests again after fifteen days. This issue has resurrected since the death decision of Brittany Murphy, a brain cancer patient, has become sensationalized by the media and social networking sites. Many individuals have commended her bravery while others thought it was an act of cowardice.

When this issue has flooded the media and has created a lot of opinion clashes, a lot of bills that are yet to be approved has reached the tables of the Supreme Court. In two months time early this year, there were already around ten passed, not including those passed last year. Lawmakers and state officials are the ones who carry the heavy responsibility of approving or rejecting the proposed bills.

Her choice to die has become a controversy in the medical, social, cultural, and political realms. It has sparked different opinions from several groups. In addition, her decision has made other terminally ill individuals to consider the option, which most family members oppose.

Just this year, ten states have already passed bills about this. The passing of bills happened in two months time. This excludes a number of other pending legislative amendments regarding physician assisted suicide last year.

Maynard has created a great impact, both negative and positive to the society. The bills passed on are yet to be approved and as always, there are two sides of the coin. Perspectives regarding the issue are divided and everyone has the right to express how they feel about the issue. Among the different realms affected, the political realm is most pressured.

Everyone has the right to self expression. Even the cancer patients themselves have their own say. Some are inspired to resort to this, while others are still holding on to their hopes and faith that they can survive.




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