Analysis of Ethical Dilemma
Analysis of Ethical Dilemma
Part 1
Voluntary or the assisted euthanasia is taking the option of ending one's life. This can be done voluntary, passively, actively or involuntary. The doctor may provide an overdose of a prescription that will result in death. Schiavo case represents non-voluntary euthanasia.
Various concerns have been raised over the essence of life. It is saddening to see patients suffer for a long time without proper medication or any vital improvement. Ethically, it is unacceptable to render someone lifeless just because of the desire to end his or her suffering. Many proponents are of the opinion that life should be treated as a sacred thing. No one at any point has the right to choose who to live or who to die. The Terri case is a saddening one that showed the United States hit "rock bottom" over the decision by the court to end Schiavo’s life (Franklin Springs Family Media, 2009).
Part 2
Jonatha, a healthcare colleague in the interview, insulated that sometimes the economic and financial restraints make the families take the option of ending a life of their loved one. Philosophically, the health care personnel should abide by the service delivery mandate of saving lives. Arguably, legal laws insinuate that such a practice is punishable according to Suicide Act 1961. This is termed as manslaughter and a jail term of over 14 years is recommended for the offenders. Barbara is a spiritual leader; he indicated that it is against the biblical teaching to end someone's life based on empathy. In the interview, he stated that God is the only give and the sole take of life. No man is allowed to end a life of another.
Pragmatically, on other occasions, the patient's quality of life is viewed, and recommendations made concerning his or her survival. The healthcare colleague revealed that the hospital observes all measures in circumstances that the patient requires voluntary euthanasia to end life. However, their core goal of the hospital is to save lives. Based on “slippery slope arguments,” the legalization of euthanasia would compromise the health care system provided. My neighbor/friend worldview claims that many things would change if such practices were legalized. The ethical concerns also range from the religious perspective (Burt, 1998). The worldview of the spiritual leader claimed that spiritual people believe that life should be honored.
An interview with a friend/ neighbor provided a different perspective on the ethical dilemma identified. Chinyere indicated that such decisions should not be hurriedly concluded if other alternatives to end patient’s pain have not been exhausted. It is everybody’s hope that humanity is secured and not to be abused. It is depressing to see a beloved one undergoing pain yet there is alternatives to assists them .However, at extreme situation voluntary killing maybe required. Nevertheless, Chinyere differs with the idea of ending one’s life. Certainly, Chinyere supports death that occurs naturally. Further, my friend’s perspective cites that people should choose their fate, for example, on how they should die or on how they should be treated. The case was controversial as the cause of death was questionable. The medical fund for the patient was almost exhausted hence; there was no money to facilitate her medical bills. The husband argued that Schiavo would not have desired an artificial life hence the need to remove the feeding tube. Life is sacred and, therefore, it must be secured at all costs. Informed decisions should be made.
References
Burt, R. A., (1998). "Confronting Death: Who Chooses? Who Controls? A Dialogue between Dax Cowart and Robert Burt". Faculty Scholarship Series. Paper 706.http://digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/fss_papers/706
Franklin Springs Family Media. (2009). The Terri Schiavo Story [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cki55BM42kw
