Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma
Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma
Previously, everything relied on the Hippocratic Oath, the basic principle that generally sounds as “do whatever you want, but do no harm”. This principle is quite controversial as according to it a doctor is a king and God, he knows everything. Today, medical ethics is based on four major principles: realization of the human right to control his/her life, health and death; obligation to act in the patients’ interests; and the principle “do no harm” and fairness as all patients have equal rights (Bbc.co.uk, 2015).
Individuals treat euthanasia differently. For example, when I asked my friend, a nurse, about this issue, she said that euthanasia may be considered as a good thing when one is helping a person to die without pain. Especially acute euthanasia should be for people who are dying and do not want to live anymore. Everyone should be given a choice whether to live longer or not when death is inevitable. The same may be said about the worldview on this issue. At the same time society considers the problem quite differently. The major points against euthanasia are religious and legal. Thus, religion forbids euthanasia, as it is an assassination. As for the law, some people are afraid that in case euthanasia is allowed, it would have excessive use.
One way or another, according to my friend euthanasia should be considered as a “good death”, especially when there is no other way out. It is necessary to state that death is inevitable and give a person a choice. Also a person should be provided with all necessary information on the illness.
Euthanasia is a very controversial issue, as it goes about a human’s life. That is why many factors are to be considered. One as well as the relatives should be provided with all necessary information on the illness and availability or absence of opportunities to overcome it.
References
Bbc.co.uk. (2015). BBC - Ethics: Euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. Retrieved 19 July 2015, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/euthanasia/
