[Urgent] Essay of Euthanasia

Suggestion Only.

Support legalization of euthanasia - discuss at a macro perspective
i.e. what is the present situation around the world

- Supporting view: law, ethics, medical incidences, research

- Rebuttal view: religion, slippery slope argument, poor decision making
by sufferer

- The legalization of euthanasia is often considered to be the result of
these changes in society:

- Individualization: autonomy, dignity, quality of life

- Dimished taboos concerning death: the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg,
Oregon, Washington, Montana are the only jurisdictions in the world
specifically permit euthanasia.

- An increased recognition that prolonging life is not necessarily the
appropriate focus of medical treatment for all patients: elimination of
suffering, a family affair, peace of mind.

*************************************************************
References:

http://www.psychology.org.au/assets/files/euthanasia_position_paper.pdf

http://www.patientsrightscouncil.org/site/euthanasia-assisted-suicide-health-care-decisions-toc/

http://www.fordham.edu/images/Undergraduate/psychology/all%20syllabus/rosenfeld/righttodie.pppl.pdf

https://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/advancesinsocialwork/article/viewFile/1841/1875

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3070710/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2733179/

http://academicjournals.org/article/article1378997062_Karami%20et%20al.pdf




WK

The term "Euthanasia" originates from the Greek words for “good death”. It refers to both, intentionally ending a person’s life by carrying out a fatal act (active), or withholding life-saving or life-prolonging medical treatment (passive). It can also be further categorized into voluntary, non-voluntary, and involuntary, depending on patient consent. Physician-assisted suicide and assisted suicide are large components of the contemporary debate. The euthanasia debate has existed for thousands of years, with the practice existing as far back as Ancient Greece and Rome. The rise of religion played a major role in the history of euthanasia, and had a significant impact on the way human life and death were viewed. Euthanasia is opposed by all of the major religions, even though differences of opinion exist between adherents. On the whole, all of the major religions affirm that it is wrong to interfere with the natural life cycle, for varying reasons.

Looking at the earliest documented history of euthanasia, we find that it was supported by Plato, Socrates, and Seneca the Elder, but it appears that Hippocrates was against it, stating that he would provide neither the medication nor the advice to bring about a person’s death. In general, however, at this time, suicide, infanticide, euthanasia and mercy killings were commonly accepted and supported. Fast forward to the birth of Christianity, and attitudes began to completely shift, with even suicide being viewed as shameful and sinful, and both Jews and Christians tending to oppose euthanasia. This viewpoint continued throughout the Middle Ages and beyond, although writers began to challenge the authority of the church during the Renaissance and the Reformation. In the 1870s, morphine was starting to be used extensively as a pain reliever, but Samuel Williams, who was not a physician, publicly advocated for using it to intentionally end a patient’s life.

2014-02-25 17:41:28 補充：
hope help u