The Ethical Implications Of Euthanasia - 1836 Words

Professor Bill Talbott from University of Washington defines killing and letting die as follows: killing is the direct action of a person involved in the process of ending another life, while letting die is consciously not taking actions to preserve someone’s life [1]. For example, if a terminally ill cancer patient without hope for a cure or improvement decides to end their life, then is the way they choose to end their life significant? Many circumstances commonly encountered that raises the question of the ethical implications and differences between killing and letting die are physician assisted suicide for terminally ill patients, euthanasia for terminally ill patients, do not resuscitate (DNR) command by next of kin, withholding all care and nourishment from a vegetative or comatose patient, or unwanted premature infants [2]. The concepts of killing a patient or letting a patient die are only considered under extreme medical conditions, mostly at the request of the patie nt. At which point, the distinction between killing and letting die becomes significant to appease the moral stigma that may follow from aiding in the act of ending life. Kantian moral theory states that every rationale person is equal, entitled to autonomy and every life is equal. It also states that each life is valuable and it is our moral duty to protect life [2]. Both direct action (killing) and indirect action (letting die) are morally wrong because they are both conscious acts of aiding in theShow MoreRelatedVoluntary/Assisted Euthanasia Essay1200 Words   |  5 PagesVoluntary/Assisted Euthanasia Grand Canyon University Ethical Decision Making in Health Care Voluntary/Assisted Euthanasia (Thesis, Description of the topic and related ethical implications, Obligations to your profession and work as a nurse) Debra Burden The purpose of this paper is to define the issue and legalities of assisted death and the key ethical arguments, including the social values and norms, encompassing this topic. 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