Compassionate Caring

Argumentative Essay # 109060

Ethics
Hot Topics > Euthanasia
Medical and Health

This paper argues in favor of euthanasia for terminally ill patients.

1,548 words () | 12 sources | MLA | 2004 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that many people are unable to care for themselves due to old age and disabilities. Many of them may feel as if they are a burden to their families and society because they have to be taken care of by others. The writer points out that a problem that has to be faced is what to do with the people that feel this way and maintains that euthanasia could be a way to deal with this problem. The writer argues that physician-assisted suicide should be a legal option for terminally ill patients because they may feel like the physical and emotional pain is too much to bear, they may not be able to cope financially with a long-term illness, and also because patients may decide to commit suicide because euthanasia is illegal. The writer concludes that terminally ill patients should have the option to end their life rather than enduring long-term suffering.

From the Paper:

"Legalizing euthanasia would make the option available to people to be able to choose to end their life when they feel it is time. They can choose the time, the date, and where their life will be taken which makes death a more comfortable point in time for both the patient and also the patient's family. Even though some physical pain can be controlled, it is still a constant burden on the mind of many patients. Many do not want to be hospitalized on life support for a long period of time or die in a retirement home without their loved ones near them. Emotional pain, however, cannot be dealt with quite as well because the patient may have the constant feeling that they are only a burden to their family and to society."

Sample of Sources Used:

Appleby, Julie. "Hospital bills spin out of control". USA TODAY 13 Apr. 2004.
"Declaration of Independence". Government in America. Ed. Edwards, George C. III, Martin P. Wattenberg, Robert L. Lineberry. New York: Pearson Education, Inc., 2004.
Duffin, Christian. "A release from suffering." Nursing Standard 19(2004). Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. Cameron Univ. Lib., Lawton, Ok. 29 Oct. 2004. <http://search.epnet.com/>.
Dictionary.com . 29 Oct. 2004 <http://www.dictionary.com/>
"Euthanasia-mercy or murder?" International Journal of Palliative Nursing 10(2004. Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. Cameron Univ. Lib., Lawton, Ok. 29 Oct. 2004. <http://search.epnet.com/>.