What Are the Arguments in Favor and Against of Mercy Killing - Essay Example

Topic: Research Question: What are the arguments in favor of mercy killing? Entry Citation Fischer, S, CA Huber, M Furter, L Imhof, Imhof R. Mahrer, C Schwarzenegger, SJ Ziegler, and G Bosshard. "Reasons Why People in Switzerland Seek Assisted Suicide: the View of Patients and Physicians." Swiss Medical Weekly. 139 (2009): 23-24. Print. Summary This study was conducted by Fischer et al. in 2009. The aim of this study was find out reason due to which a physician has no choice but to carry out an assisted suicide and the circumstances that led that person or patient to opt for euthanasia also known as elected suicide. 165 cases of euthanasia were studied while this study was carried out and these cases were performed under the facilitation provided by right-to-die institutions during 2001-2004. The cases were recorded in Zurich, information was obtained by the medical facilities and letters by the dead patients were analyzed to find out and understand the cause which led them to take such decisions (Fischer 334). While conducting this study, the researchers were able to find out and analyze the causes given both by the physicians and the patients who were supposedly in severe pain due to the disease and hence they took the decision of performing and undergoing euthanasia. Also, some of the reasons were long-term disability of the patients due to some neurologic disorder or accidents that caused the patients to require long-term care i.e. for years or even permanent disability leading them to a life that is relied completely on others. Other reasons include a mutual decision taken both by the patients and their physicians in whom the patients had the right to control their death, they thought they have lost the right to live, some patients think that they cannot live further or perform their daily chores and are now relying on others and that is affecting their dignity as well as living a life of no reason, they chose to end their lives (Fischer 336). During the research, the researchers were able to identify physical, social and psychological reason as the main ones behind opting for euthanasia. It was further concluded that physicians who perform euthanasia are supposed to report cases which are medical in nature because the law of Zurich demands a medical professional to report a case undergoing euthanasia due some medical reasons that led a patient to opt for it. Also, demographic factors were identified between patients who opted to undergo euthanasia. Gender was another factor identified behind the reasons for opting euthanasia. It was observed that male population did not report pain but loss of control over their lives as a reason behind choosing euthanasia and ending their lives. Relevance When this study is compared to my research project, a significant relevance is found since this study provides necessary information required to prove my research question in favor of euthanasia. The research shows that people choose to opt for assisted suicide because they want to be in control of their death like they were in control of their life. The study has opened new doors of knowledge for me, showing me that both the patients and physicians had mutual cooperation and the decision of assisted suicide was taken both by the patient and physician mutually with an understanding of the situation. The main issue raised by this study is that the physician has to report the reason mainly if it is medical due to which euthanasia was performed. This is a problematic situation for the physician because they have the right to know the social as well as psychological reasons behind the patient’s opting for euthanasia. Research Question: What are the arguments against mercy killing? Entry # 2 Citation Seale, C. "Legalisation of Euthanasia or Physician-Assisted Suicide: Survey of Doctors Attitudes." Palliative Medicine. 23.3 (2009): 205-12. Print. Summary A research was carried out by Seale in 2009 the purpose of which was to find out and analyze the behavior, beliefs and attributes of the physicians in the region of United Kingdom regarding Euthanasia/Mercy Killing/Assisted Suicide. The study was conducted to find out the difference between these attributes and those of the citizens of the United Kingdom. In order to conduct the study, a postal survey method was used by the researchers in which almost 3733 professionals from the field of medicine and surgery were surveyed (Seale 206). The respondents provided qualitative and quantitative responses to the questions that were asked in the posts. 176 doctors provided a response which was qualitative in nature and somewhat divided when asked about the creation of a policy regarding euthanasia was asked. 31 percent of the doctors were in favor and 36 percent were against the creation of policy and the rest remained neutral and provided with no solid answer (Seale 208). The ones voting in favor of this were of the view that suicide is an abusive behavior and can lead to mutilation of the normal human body since physicians should not be allowed to assist such patients in ending their lives. They were also of the opinion that instead of helping someone in ending their life, they should be helped in any way possible. If a patient is suffering from pain, they should be given proper treatment for the relief of their pain. Actions should be taken for the betterment of society. Patients should be provided with all the facilities possible to relieve them of their symptoms and increase their life span instead of helping them in committing suicide. They also believed that if a treatment helps the patient in relieving their pain and suffering and the treatment is actually decreasing the life of the patient, it should be provided. Use of palliative care was also suggested by many physicians under survey to decrease the pain and sufferings of the patients. Physicians who rejected the idea of Euthanasia to become practical were even against of even a minor involvement of the physicians in assisting suicide. 61 percent of the total physicians in the study rejected the use of euthanasia in any way while only 27 percent voted in favor of it. It was also noted that most of the physicians who voted against the practality of euthanasia were those who had a specialized degree in taking care of terminally ill patients or those permanently disabled. One other thing observed in the study was that the views of general population of United Kingdom were significantly difficult from those of the physicians of the United Kingdom (Seale 209) Relevance This research conducted by Seale has a significant relevance to my research question and provides favorable points to prove my argument. The research provides me with the information that religion and culture play a significant role when it comes to taking decisions regarding assisted suicide. Seale provides us with the knowledge that both the general population and physicians have opposite views when they were asked about the moral and ethical value of euthanasia. An interesting point highlighted by this study was that both groups of physicians were in favor of palliative care being provided to the terminally ill patients even if it reduces their lifespan. They were of the view that necessary palliative treatment is right of all the patients and it should be provided to them. Pointing out the conflict of opinion in issuing of a policy regarding assisted suicide between the physicians was a disappointment raised by this research. Research Question: What does law states about assisted suicide? Entry # 3 Citation Humphry, Derek. "Assisted Suicide Laws Around the World - Assisted Suicide." Assistedsuicide.org, 2005. Web. 17 Feb 2014. . Summary “Assisted Suicide Laws Around the World” is an article written by Derek Humphrey in 2005. The purpose of this article was to highlight laws that are under practice regarding euthanasia. The author states that assisted suicide is forbidden and illegal in regions such as Norway, France, Italy and Finland. There are laws in these regions and many others that prohibit the use assisted suicide to end lives of patients (Humphrey 1). Physicians who practice euthanasia can face serious consequences in the form of law suits and suspension of medical license in these regions. The author of this article further states that assisted suicide is either directly or indirectly allowed in regions such as Uruguay, Canada and United Kingdom. Physicians who practice Euthanasia are protected by the law in such states and are not supposed to face any law suits as long as it comes under the law and constitution. The first thing discussed by the author in his article is the factor of consent. The author states that written consent should be provided by the patient and obtained by the physician. In the region of Scotland, the laws regarding assisted suicide are so strict that the physician practicing it can be tried as a murderer even if they have obtained a written consent (Humphrey 1). It is stated in the article that even after it being legalized in many regions of the world, the incidence and practice of euthanasia is very much rare in the world. Humphrey, in his article points out on the lack of interest by the major governing bodies of the in making and implementing laws directly addressing assisted suicide. The author states that even though euthanasia is legal in many regions, these regions have no such laws that directly address this issue and hence the chances of malpractice are very much significant. Also, only Netherlands has been able to make a law that ensures that all the acts of euthanasia are legal and done under supervision with proper written consent of the patient. Relevance This article is highly relevant to my last research question and provides me with adequate information and knowledge. The research provides with the knowledge of regions where assisted suicide is legal and where it is illegal to perform such an act. One main point highlighted in this research is that there still is need for the governing bodies to implement laws regarding assisted suicide and this sensitive issue which has both moral and ethical value should be addressed properly. Work Cited Fischer, S, CA Huber, M Furter, L Imhof, Imhof R. Mahrer, C Schwarzenegger, SJ Ziegler, and G Bosshard. "Reasons Why People in Switzerland Seek Assisted Suicide: the View of Patients and Physicians." Swiss Medical Weekly. 139 (2009): 23-24. Print. Humphry, Derek. "Assisted Suicide Laws Around the World - Assisted Suicide." Assistedsuicide.org, 2005. Web. 17 Feb 2014. . Seale, C. "Legalisation of Euthanasia or Physician-Assisted Suicide: Survey of Doctors Attitudes." Palliative Medicine. 23.3 (2009): 205-12. Print. Read More