Why Euthanasia? Why Doctor-Assisted Suicide? Why Now? :: Euthanasia Physician Assisted Suicide

Why euthanasia? Why nary(prenominal)? Americans wonderment wherefore the big push for legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide. After thousands of geezerhood of considering such practices sinful and illegal, why the vocal effort at changing form _or_ system of government? This paper will look closely at how and why the bracing pro-euthanasia/assisted suicide attitude is sweeping around the world. The 89 stratum old woman died of dehydration starvation after half dozen days without food and fluids, despite evidence that she had repeatedly asked for water. A shooter from a drought-stricken Third World country or Nazi Germany? No. Ella Bathurst died October 28, 1984 at a prestigious Midwestem hospital in the USA. Mrs. Bathurst had been living simply until she miss and fractured her hip. She was treated at the hospital and then she was transferred to a tending for home. When she authentic problems in swallowing, she was transferred back to the hospital for rehydrati on therapy. After three days, at the mechanical press of Mrs. Bathursts daughter, the IV was discontinued and food and fluids were withheld. According to hospital records, Mrs. Bathurst was terrific and antiphonary most of the time, yet she was non consulted regarding the withdrawal of food and water. (Gula) identical cheeks argon occurring more frequently as a traditional medical exam exam metre - the presumption to treat -- is being eroded. Under common law, adequate patients ar able to refuse sermon, provided the decision is reasonable and based on enough information for informed consent. In the case of an incompetent or comatose patient, the usual method of determining interference was for the physicians involved in the case to discuss treatment options with the family of the patient. It was presumed that the patient would want beneficial treatment and would not want to die of dehydration and starvation. Likewise, it was presumed that the family would want the best care for the patient. Physicians themselves swore to the Hippocratic Oath First, do no harm. Unfortunately, this presumption in favor of treatment is being eroded in our society. Generally, through five path the medical concern, pro-euthanasia organizations, state legislation, court opinions, and the media 1. As an indication of where segments of the medical profession are heading, in March 1986 the judicial council of the American Medical draw (AMA) command that it is ethical for physicians to withhold all means of life-prolonging treatment from race in irreversible comas even if death is not imminent.Why Euthanasia? Why Doctor- help Suicide? Why Now? Euthanasia Physician Assisted SuicideWhy Euthanasia? Why Now? Americans wonder why the big push for legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide. After thousands of years of considering such practices sinful and illegal, why the vocal effort at changing policy? This paper will look closely at how and why the new pro-eutha nasia/assisted suicide attitude is sweeping around the world. The 89 year old woman died of dehydration starvation after six days without food and fluids, despite evidence that she had repeatedly asked for water. A scene from a drought-stricken Third World country or Nazi Germany? No. Ella Bathurst died October 28, 1984 at a prestigious Midwestem hospital in the USA. Mrs. Bathurst had been living alone until she fell and fractured her hip. She was treated at the hospital and then she was transferred to a nursing home. When she developed problems in swallowing, she was transferred back to the hospital for rehydration therapy. After three days, at the insistence of Mrs. Bathursts daughter, the IV was discontinued and food and fluids were withheld. According to hospital records, Mrs. Bathurst was alert and responsive most of the time, yet she was not consulted regarding the withdrawal of food and water. (Gula) Similar cases are occurring more frequently as a traditional medical stand ard - the presumption to treat -- is being eroded. Under common law, competent patients are able to refuse treatment, provided the decision is reasonable and based on sufficient information for informed consent. In the case of an incompetent or comatose patient, the usual method of determining treatment was for the physicians involved in the case to discuss treatment options with the family of the patient. It was presumed that the patient would want beneficial treatment and would not want to die of dehydration and starvation. Likewise, it was presumed that the family would want the best care for the patient. Physicians themselves swore to the Hippocratic Oath First, do no harm. Unfortunately, this presumption in favor of treatment is being eroded in our society. Generally, through five means the medical profession, pro-euthanasia organizations, state legislation, court opinions, and the media 1. As an indication of where segments of the medical profession are heading, in March 19 86 the judicial council of the American Medical Association (AMA) ruled that it is ethical for physicians to withhold all means of life-prolonging treatment from people in irreversible comas even if death is not imminent.