Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide Week Four Seminar HU245 Ethics

Old Business! Discussion Board Discussion Board Position Paragraphs Position Paragraphs –Watch out for small grammatical errors! –Connect with ethical theory

New Business! Discussion Board! Discussion Board! –Based on a Case Study –Two Threads

Active vs. Passive Euthanasia Active euthanasia occurs in those Active euthanasia occurs in those instances in which someone takes active means, such as a lethal injection, to bring about someone’s death; Passive euthanasia occurs in those Passive euthanasia occurs in those instances in which someone simply refuses to intervene in order to prevent someone’s death.

Voluntary, Nonvoluntary, and Involuntary Euthanasia Voluntary: patient chooses to be put Voluntary: patient chooses to be put to death Nonvoluntary: patient is unable to make a choice at all Nonvoluntary: patient is unable to make a choice at all Involuntary: patient chooses not to be Involuntary: patient chooses not to be put to death, but is anyway

Assisted vs. Unassisted Euthanasia Many patients who want to die are unable to do so without assistance. Some who are able to assist themselves commit suicide with guns, etc.ways that are much harder and difficult for those who are left behind.

Arguments Against Legalized Euthanasia Slippery Slope: could lead to devaluation of human life. Slippery Slope: could lead to devaluation of human life. Vulnerable Populations: elderly, poor, disabled could be pressured to choose death. Vulnerable Populations: elderly, poor, disabled could be pressured to choose death. Medical Costs: Many may choose death to avoid high healthcare costs for themselves or their families. 40% of medical expenses occur in the last month of a person’s life. Medical Costs: Many may choose death to avoid high healthcare costs for themselves or their families. 40% of medical expenses occur in the last month of a person’s life. Potential for abuse. Potential for abuse.

Current Legal Status Only two states, Oregon and Washington, allow for any type of physician assisted suicide. Only two states, Oregon and Washington, allow for any type of physician assisted suicide. Euthanasia is never legal in any state. Euthanasia is never legal in any state. Some European nations have some types of legalized euthanasia such as The Netherlands. Some European nations have some types of legalized euthanasia such as The Netherlands.

Ethical Theories to Consider Utilitarianism: what would result in the best good for the most people? Utilitarianism: what would result in the best good for the most people? Kantian Rights: if we have a duty to respect persons, then those people have related rights. Conversely, if they have a right, than others have a duty to uphold that right. Kantian Rights: if we have a duty to respect persons, then those people have related rights. Conversely, if they have a right, than others have a duty to uphold that right.

Case Study Will is suffering and slowly dying. Will is suffering and slowly dying. Will does not wish to suffer and let his wife Gloria know this. Will does not wish to suffer and let his wife Gloria know this. Will has a stroke and can no longer make any decsions Will has a stroke and can no longer make any decsions

Seminar Question One! Should a law be passed making it legal for physicians to honor requests like Will's to have his morphine pump reprogrammed? Should a law be passed making it legal for physicians to honor requests like Will's to have his morphine pump reprogrammed?

Seminar Question One Continued Are there any predictable social harms that would ensue from the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide? If so, how serious are these negative consequences? Are there any predictable social harms that would ensue from the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide? If so, how serious are these negative consequences?

Seminar Question Two What is hospice, and what role do they play in palliative care? Might this be a viable option in Will's situation?

Questions? Happy Discussion Boarding! Happy Discussion Boarding!