Euthanasia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Euthanasia - Essay Example Euthanasia can be the choice of the an individual and may be unassisted or assisted, by physicians, family, or friends. However, it should be clear that all variations of euthanasia have been deemed illegal in most locations. Suicide has always been a controversial issue. The moral beliefs of certain popular ideologies deem suicide a great sin, which can lead to the mindset that if you suffer greatly then you probably deserve to and when you die, that is when you were meant to. However, that thinking is not shared by everyone and to impose that mentality and force people to suffer until natural death occurs can be quite unfair. Euthanasia brings up many questions of ethics, morality, personal beliefs, and rights to individual autonomy. Death and Dignity: A Case of Individualized Decision Making, by Timothy E, Quill, is a fantastic example of situation where euthanasia has becomes a real consideration. The case study, told from the doctor’s point of view, is a very moving story involving a physician’s relationship with a particular patient, Diane, who is suffering from leukemia and has optioned to not undergo treatment; she is planning to die with dignity and has decided to take her own life (Quill 692). Doctor Quill’s justification throughout the whole process was supportive of, though not necessarily in agreement with, her decisions. He had worked in a hospice in the past, and he knew the kind of death that awaited her should the treatment not work. He also knew that the treatments available to her had a long list of unpleasant consequences that would diminish the quality of her life considerably. He had the practical experiences to sympathize with her position. He acknowledged that she passed all of the psychiatric competency tests to verify her mental state. She was informed of all of her options concerning treatments, interventions, statistical realities, and had made an informed decision of her own free will. Dr. Quill’s thinkin g throughout seemed to parallel with a utilitarian position. He considered Diane’s options; he weighed the stress upon her family, the quality of her life, however shortened, against all of the alternatives. He justified his logic by believing that the greatest good and least amount of harm would be achieved by supporting and endorsing her choices. He even went so far as to direct her to a reliable source to learn how to end her life successfully. Although, certain kinds of euthanasia are potentially unethical, and each individual should, probably, be best considered on an individual basis. In cases, like Diane’s, when she is making the informed choice concerning her own being then would it not be unethical to impose an alternative upon her or discredit her right to make her own choices. Dr. Quill described Diane as a string and forthright lady and he has no reason to deem her decision incompetent in any way (Quill 293). Besides it is unethical to question someone†™s competence simply because their choice differ from what you consider the â€Å"correct† choice. However, if the same person chose the course of action that agreed with you own then you would never question their competence; of course, they are competent, they agree with you. I think that Dr. Quill made a wholly ethical decision based on his perceived perspective of attempting to promote the greater good and least harm in a completely un-ideal