Active and Passive Euthanasia Persuasive Essay by Quality Writers

Active and Passive Euthanasia
This paper discusses active and passive euthanasia in Canada and the implications for nursing.
# 101100 | 1,138 words | 4 sources | APA | 2008 | US
Published on Feb 19, 2008 in Medical and Health (Nursing) , Medical and Health (Public Health Issues) , Canadian Studies (Government and Government Policy) , Hot Topics (Euthanasia) , Ethics (General)


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Description:

The paper contends that active euthanasia should never be legalized because it is morally wrong. The paper explores passive euthanasia, which is generally accepted when it is clear that a person wants to have no extraordinary measures taken to prolong his/her life. The paper discusses how nurses must be familiar with the complexities of euthanasia. The paper explains that a request for active euthanasia can result in a serious ethical dilemma for the nurse who is unprepared and who has not determined a personal ethical stance.

From the Paper:

"Active euthanasia and assisted suicide will very probably never be legalized in Canada. I agree because the ethical principle relating to autonomy is violated in cases of assisted suicide, irrespective of whether or not the patient's consent is given. The view of the Canadian government on assisted suicide has been clear through the 1993 case of Sue Rodriguez. This woman was suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease and requested the right to assisted suicide. A painful death was inevitable and she wished official approval of her eventual need for assisted suicide. The government's decision can be viewed in two ways. First of all, as stated by the court, "Fundamental justice required that a fair balance be struck between the interests of the state and those of the individual" (Kondro, 1993, p. 918). The principle at work was justice and determining what was the best course for all individuals. Assisted suicide, if legalized, can lead to abuse. The other viewpoint is that the court's decision was based on a slippery slope or fear of possible negative outcomes."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Avila, D. (1994). Rodriguez, v. Attorney General of Canada. Issues in Law & Medicine, 9 (4), 389-394.
  • Downie, J. (2004). Unilateral withholding and withdrawal of potentially life-sustaining treatment: A violation of dignity under the law in Canada. Journal of Palliative Care, 20 (3), 143-150.
  • Kondro, W. (1993). Court rules against physician-assisted suicide. The Lancet, 342 (8876), 918-919.
  • Schwarz, J. (2003). Understanding and responding to patients' requests for assistance in dying. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 35 (4), 377-385.

Cite this Persuasive Essay:

APA Format

Active and Passive Euthanasia (2008, February 19) Retrieved September 25, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/persuasive-essay/active-and-passive-euthanasia-101100/

MLA Format

"Active and Passive Euthanasia" 19 February 2008. Web. 25 September. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/persuasive-essay/active-and-passive-euthanasia-101100/>

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