The Ethics of Euthanasia
Euthanasia is a well known practice in healthcare and research. Some consider it a feasible option which should always be available as a “last resort” but consider it an option nonetheless. Others frown upon its usage in the treatment of human patients but feel its acceptable in the laboratory setting. I think its also very similar to abortion in that its involves the voluntarily extermination of a life; however, at least euthanasia is performed after the consent of a patient. Fetuses can’t give their opinion before someone sentences them to death. In this post, I address euthanasia in a small context - a doctor treating a human patient.
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines euthanasia as “the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy”
I see all sorts of problems with this practice when I compare it to portions of the original Hippocratic Oath, an oath which basically outlines the boundaries of a physician’s power:
…never do harm to anyone… I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan…
Does anyone else see a striking contradiction? No wonder it’s such a hot topic in medical ethics!
I was actually asked at my UTMB medical interview about how I would feel if a patient asked me to euthanize them. Fortunately, I had considered this hypothetical scenario a long time ago and realized that I would usually side with the individual. Patients come to doctors to get treated for medical ailments. They grant physicians the privilege to have full access to their privacy and basically play “God” during the recovery process. If they ask to be euthanized (and they’re in a sane mental state), their wish should be fulfilled wholeheartedly. To me, this is one of the few exceptions where a patient’s consent supercedes medical ethics. Now obviously, if that same patient asked me to stab him every hour with an injection of morphine, the answer is no; however, if the patient has a “fair reason” to be put out of his or her misery and has had enough time to consider the implications their death would have on their family and loved ones… I’m for it.
Again, this is a highly controversial topic, so I’d love to hear your opinion.
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Where is everyone? *crickets chirping…Oscar? Fyfy?
I agree that if a patient asks in a sane state of mind, I will grant their “wish.” However, I will make sure I or someone else does have one last talk with him. Because, sometimes things sound like a really good idea, but they aren’t. Lol..
One thing I don’t agree with is when hospitals want to take a patient off of life support, because they need another bed. I mean, I understand they need a bed for someone else, but can’t they help find another facility to place the patient. Better yet, I think there should be seperate facilities to help keep people on life support. Of all the things my tax dollars go to, I honestly would not mind them going to this.
Now, I’m sure this within itself has somehow started another topic.
What you’re referring to is hospice care, but unfortunately as in the case with nursing homes, hospices aren’t exactly the most appealing places. I remember my 5th grade class going to a nursing home around Christmas time to sing carols to the elderly, and even back then I was able to discern how miserable the environment was.
I can’t speak for the occupants, but I’m sure some had wished they could just “move on.” It’s an unfortunate tragedy in life - people love you when you’re “useful.” Still, I would never consider killing myself just to dissolve the stress. Life is too precious, and death is too easy.
My point exactly! The enviroment is miserable. They need a “make over” so to speak.
Agreed. As physicians, we will be faced with decisions that will not be elating. The job is to do anything in our power to help an ill patient, but there will be many instances when medicine will reach its limits and the man upstairs will decide to grant a miracle or bestow death on that patient. Francis Collins was an obnoxious atheist in college, but everything changed when he witnessed how people’s “faith” brought tranquility and the occasional miracle of returned health. However, when science has reached its limits and death is imminent, if the patient does not want to suffer more, and he or she has thought it through, I will put him down. Death is better than some sufferings. I will not let someone suffer if all is lost. Last year, my sister-in-law’s mother passed away to cancer in the brain, liver, cervix, everywhere…and hospice is one of the most depressing places I have ever been to, waiting for Death to claim a family member is terrible. I guess you can say that of all diseases, cancer is the one I hate most.
I completely agree, but taken into consideration a person condition. My point of view in life is if you are suferring beyond imagine there is no point to continuing. No, this does not mean I am going to inject a man who wife just left him for someone else and just loose his job with a lethal dose. I would not even do that if he threaten to shoot me. I seen some of the world worst bedside manner is some local hospitals. I seen cancer patients cired out in pain yet the doctors are warching Sport Channel or ESPN while the nurses shop on line. Yes this occur at houston local hospitals some of the well known I might add. This is going against the hypocratic oath “DO NO HARM. Since Ido not see doctors, physician assistants, and nurses unplugging the patient monitor and etc due to massive lawsuit I doubt they ever will, I see doing harm to a patient as in INGNORING PATIENT NEED especially patients who are tied to their bed. I seen many of patient fallen asleep in their on waste and vomit because people refuse to clean them up. Many patients refuse euthanasia yet get angry everytime they visit the hospital. I do not see the point holding on to some one who is barely there is like holding on into a broken relationship. No matter how hard you tried it will never be the same. Let it go (tear off the band aid, and let the wound heal) because as time goes on it will. Seeing someone dying little by little at time is more harsh. And if you believe in after life you should let the person go to where the destine to be happy then to stay in suffer.
Sorry for the late respond came up with a flu
http://www.xanga.com/fyfyvay83
Rishi I am not letting you have all the fun. I like controversial topic too.