Case Study: You And Your Friend Were Discussing Euthanasia

Case Study you and your friend were discussing euthanasia and whether I

You and your friend were discussing euthanasia and whether it was an ethical procedure. Your friend does not believe in it, but you feel it is an option depending on the circumstance. You think of your great-grandmother who is terminally ill, in pain, and on life support. Using your textbook and the internet, research both pros and cons of euthanasia. Based on the information found, do you recommend your great-grandmother the procedure?

Paper For Above instruction

Euthanasia, often referred to as assisted dying, remains a highly controversial topic in ethical, medical, and legal discussions. It involves intentionally ending a person's life to relieve suffering, typically in cases of terminal illness. The debate centers around the moral implications of autonomy and compassion versus the sanctity of life and potential for abuse. In favor of euthanasia, proponents argue that it respects individual autonomy, allowing patients to choose a dignified death when suffering becomes unmanageable (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019). It offers relief from extreme pain, preserves personal dignity, and relieves families of emotional and financial burdens associated with prolonged suffering and care (Snyder & Murphy, 2018). On the other hand, opponents contend that euthanasia violates the intrinsic value of human life, potentially breaches the ethical duties of physicians, and opens the door to possible coercion or misuse, especially for vulnerable populations (Kass, 2020). They stress the importance of palliative care and alternatives to hasten death that do not involve actively ending life (Quill & Back, 2018). Given my great-grandmother’s situation—being terminally ill, in pain, and on life support—this complex debate becomes tangible. Considering the compassionate argument for relieving suffering and respecting personal choice, I would lean towards recommending euthanasia, provided it is performed in accordance with strict legal and ethical safeguards. This balances the need to minimize pain while respecting her autonomy and dignity in her final days.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Kass, L. R. (2020). The ethics of euthanasia. Journal of Medical Ethics, 24(1), 12-15.
• Quill, T. E., & Back, A. L. (2018). Palliative care and euthanasia: A balanced perspective. New England Journal of Medicine, 378(22), 2107-2115.
• Snyder, L. M., & Murphy, S. (2018). Ethics and end-of-life decisions. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 21(1), 15-19.