The Right To Know Act (AB2747)

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the Bill AB 2747 or Right to Know Act that proposes to allow doctors to supply a patient that has less than one year to live with an extensive end-of-life option list. The paper points out that even though this bill does not directly indicate it is a physician-assisted suicide, the implications are there. The paper looks at the social, economic, political and ethical considerations of the bill and explores the arguments for and against physician-assisted suicide.

Outline:
Abstract
Background/Significance and Scope of the Problem
Proponent and Opponent Arguments
Nursing Perspective
Policy/Bill Recommendations

From the Paper:

"The bill AB 2747 skirts the issue of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) because all attempts to legalize PAS and other alterations have been shot down. The bill suggests instead allowing physicians to provide a list of options once a patient is diagnosed to have less than a year to live, per the patients request. If the physician does not feel comfortable with the patients decision about his/her end-of-life option then the physician has the right to refer or transfer the patient to another physician. Since the bill skirts the more controversial issue of PAS, there are a lot of ethical and social considerations that are blocking this bill. Who can decide if a person has less than one year to live? If the person is terminally ill, can a physician in good consciousness end their life? Oregon is the only state in the United States that currently allows physicians to perform PAS legally. However, studies have shown that all forms of PAS, whether direct or indirect, have occurred in secret throughout the nation for years."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Back ,A.L., Wallace, J.I., Starks, H.E., & Pearlman, S.G. (1996 March 27). Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in Washington State. JAMA.,27;275(12):919-925.
• Braddock, C.H. (1998). Bioethics Education Project. Ethics in Medicine. University of Washington School of Medicine. Retrieved June 18,2008, from http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/pas.html
• California Profile. Euthanasia & Assisted Suicide information. Retrieved June 18, 2008, from www.ccgaction.org/index.php?q=life/pas/AB2747Update
• Californians Against Assisted Suicide. Retrieved June 22, 2008, from www.ca-aas.com/
• Comment by Immanuel Kant. Retrieved June 22, 2008, from http://uwmpost.com/article/52/23/3250Euthanasia-bill-worth-discussing

More papers on The Right To Know Act (AB2747):

• Book Review # 148125 : "Justice in Don Mitchell's "The Right to the City"
• Analytical Essay # 142688 : "Linda Darling-Hammond's "The Right To Learn"
• Analytical Essay # 31717 : "The Right To Die"

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