Abstract
The paper argues against the practice of assisted suicide, which is now quite common in the United States. The paper discusses the issue from ethical as well as legal perspective and explains why the Court should never sanction this practice.

From the Paper
"Assisted suicide is one of those burning issues, which give rise to ethical quandaries, not to mention extreme public fury. People are of the view that while we do have a right to live, we certainly do not have a right to bring an end to our own lives because the principle of dignity of human life doesn't permit such an action. However over the years, many complex cases in this connection have surfaced, some of which even reached the Supreme Court. It is important to understand that law in many states prohibits physician-assisted suicide even though this practice prevails in many hospitals nationwide. What a physician decides with his patient in the privacy of his clinic is something solely connected with the doctor's moral and ethical principles, however we need to bear in mind that court in many cases has reiterated its stand on the issue by strongly opposing all forms of physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients."

Tags:patient, terminally, ill, doctor, medicine, court, law, legal, physician, euthanasia, ethic

Abstract
This paper discusses the pros and cons of euthanasia or assisted-suicide. The author discusses the case of Dr. Jack Kevorkian and looks at the impacts of his death.

From the Paper
"Euthanasia is the act of putting someone to death for his or her own benefit. This is why it is also called "mercy killing." The general idea is that a doctor would decide that a patient is suffering enough in their current condition that death is the most desirable option. Needless to say, this practice is not widely accepted. Nor is it legal in a majority of countries. There are essentially three viewpoints one can have; you are either for it or against it, or you agree with a modified version of it."

Tags:dutch, kevorkian, opinion, political, science

Abstract
This essay defines the moral issue of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide and engages in a spirited discussion of why euthanasia is a huge mistake for our society, focusing on the threat to women, minorities, and the disabled in America that physician-assisted suicide presents.

From the Paper
"They include an incompatibility with the moral and professional commitment of physicians, a weakening of society's desire to provide optimal care for the terminally ill, increased societal pressure on sick patients to request assisted suicide, and most importantly, possible abuses and extensions of euthanasia which may lead down the "slippery slope" to Nazism and selective genocide."

Tags:ethics, euthanasia, medicine, philosophy, suicide

Abstract
The author of this paper reviews the various definitions,approaches, legislation issues and the position of the American Medical Association and the "Death with Dignity Act" about the need to establish the right to physician-assisted suicide. Arguments against physician-assisted suicide are logically refuted.

From the Paper
"When we are young, most of us do not think about making a conscious decision to die. We look forward to years of long and healthy life, and if death ever seems appealing, it is as an antidote to depression. It does not often, if ever, occur to us that there will be a time when we look forward to the "good death" promised by euthanasia."

Tags:suicide, fatal, disease, doctors, prescribe, physician, assisted, legal, state, morphine, disability, voluntary, netherlands, humphry, american, medical, association, toulman, model, ama, supreme, court, pain, relieving, drugs, ethics, oregon, death, with, dignity, reno

Abstract
This paper analyzes the controversies and issues surrounding euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Part II discusses arguments in opposition to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. In Part III arguments in support of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are presented. Lastly, this paper concludes by recommending that euthanasia should be offered to terminally ill patients in order to avoid much unnecessary suffering.

From the Paper
"Four ways exist to legally terminate life in the United States and other nations: abortion, capital punishment, suicide, and war. In addition, all 50 states have legalized living wills, and some states allow the termination of life support without the existence of a living will if certain parts of the brain are dead. Euthanasia, commonly known as mercy killing or physician-assisted suicide, remains illegal in all but a few countries and states like Germany, Netherlands, Oregon, and Switzerland. However, fundamental shifts are occurring that reflect a recognition that we have overestimated our right to kill in a military setting, and underestimated it in some medical and private settings."

Tags:death, compassion, suicide, terminal, ill, medicine

Abstract
This paper argues that voluntary euthanasia preserves dignity. Examined in this paper are such ideas as the right to die, the ethical parameters of euthanasia, the quality of life perspective and a place for euthanasia within varied perspectives. The author argues that one of the greatest ways to preserve another person's dignity is through an act of mercy. Voluntary euthanasia is an act of mercy, which therefore, preserves dignity with the bestowment of final compassion.

From the Paper
"A step in awareness is the enactment of careful laws that permit forms of voluntary euthanasia. In the United States, the state of Oregon's Death With Dignity Act, allowing "limited physician-assisted suicide," is an example of a start for public understanding. In ideal cases of merciful euthanasia, a person makes a painstaking, well thought-out decision. Voluntary euthanasia is rarely carried out at the first knowledge of impending death, especially if medical help is available to treat the terminal disease. Voluntary euthanasia is an act of mercy, and therefore, preserves dignity with the bestowment of final compassion. "

Tags:die, dignity, ethical, euthanasia, life, parameters, perspective, quality, right, voluntary

Abstract
This paper examines how the justification for Nazi programs involving involuntary euthanasia, forced sterilisation, eugenics and human experimentation were strongly influenced by views about human dignity. It looks at how the historical development of these views should be examined today because discussions of human worth and value are integral to medical ethics and bioethics. It discusses how social Darwinism was foremost amongst the philosophies impacting views of human dignity in the decades leading up to Nazi power in Germany and how Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory was quickly applied to human beings and social structure.
Outline
Abstract
Background
Major Influences
Malthusianism
Herbert Spencer
Natural Selection
Hereditary
Eugenics
The Path to Nazi Medicine
Five Beliefs and their Impact on Bioethics
The Nature of Ethics
Human Distinctiveness
Human Gradation
Life Not Worth Living
Survival Of The Fittest
Inherent Human Dignity
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Social Darwinism was foremost amongst the philosophies impacting views of human dignity in the decades leading up to Nazi power in Germany. Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory was quickly applied to human beings and social structure. The term 'survival of the fittest' was coined and seen to be applicable to humans. Belief in the inherent dignity of all humans was rejected by social Darwinists. Influential authors of the day proclaimed that an individual's worth and value were to be determined functionally and materialistically. The popularity of such views ideologically prepared German doctors and nurses to accept Nazi social policies promoting survival of only the fittest humans. A historical survey reveals five general presuppositions that strongly impacted medical ethics in the Nazi era. These same five beliefs are being promoted in different ways in contemporary bioethical discourse. "

Tags:abortion, darwin, darwinism, ernst, ethics, euthanasia, germany, haeckel, holocaust, malthusianism, medicine, social

Abstract
This is an essay on medical ethics and attempts to analyse a patient's particular case who wishes to end her life, utilizing the four ethical principles as outlined. Significance is given to the perspectives of the patient, the physician and the community as a whole. The paper finally proposes a preferred outcome and demonstrates through argument that the preferred course of action in this situation is to allow the patient to end her life.

From the Paper
"Whilst autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice may be regarded as the four ethical pillar stones of modern-day medical practice, the way in which these concepts at times contradict one another in clinical scenarios, can indeed confound the very same clinical decision-making processes they were devised to govern. A similar conflict in ethical principles can be seen in the case of Susan, who became a quadriplegic following a car accident and wishes to end her life due to its low quality, through refusing all nutrition and requesting the non-intervention of her physician.
"This paper will attempt to analyse Susan's case utilising these four ethical principles, with significance being given to the perspectives of the patient, the physician and the community as a whole. The paper will ultimately propose a preferred outcome should be followed for this scenario in alignment with the ethical principles - indeed, whether the physician should abide by Susan's wishes or not."

Tags:clinical, non-intervention, quadriplegic

Abstract
An argumentative paper about euthanasia, both passive and active.

From the Paper
"With constant advancement in medical technology, loved ones will be held more and more responsible for the life or death decisions of family members. Many fear the unknown realm that lies beyond this life more than their mental and physical pain, and want to live at all costs. Others, though, should they be faced with living in a vegetative state or dying, hope their families allow them to die. They believe euthanasia is acceptable in cases of terminally ill patients whose lives are simply being maintained with no hope of ever speaking or thinking again. Active euthanasia, which is in certain cases more humane than passive euthanasia, should be legalized to help aid the endless suffering of thousands of terminally ill patients who have no chance of living a quality life. "

Tags:kill, death, suffer, sick, ill, torture, die, family, choose, active, passive

Abstract
This paper examines how although tragic, the plight of Terri Schiavo provides a valuable case study, and the conflicts and misunderstandings surrounding her situation offer important lessons in medicine, law and ethics. The author reviews the current medical understanding of persistent vegetative state, including the requirements for patient examination, the differential diagnosis, and the practice guidelines of the American Academy of Neurology regarding artificial nutrition and hydration for patients with this diagnosis. Next it examines the legal history including the 2000 trial, the 2002 evidentiary hearing and the subsequent appeals. The author argues that the law did not fail Terri Schiavo, but produced the highest-quality evidence and provided the most judicial review of any end-of-life guardianship case in U.S. history.
Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Understanding the Persistent Vegetative State
Legal History and Commentary
Competing Ethical Frameworks
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"The Schiavo case rests critically on the concept of the persistent vegetative state and the certainty of the prediction that a patient in this state will have no meaningful recovery. The persistent vegetative state is distinguished from several other states of reduced consciousness. Brain death implies the loss of not only all higher brain functions but also all brainstem functions, including pupillary light reflexes, reflex eye movements, respirations, and gag and corneal reflexes. Determination of brain death is straightforward and is generally accepted as a criterion for death. Coma is a complete state of unresponsiveness to stimuli, although the patient may have brainstem reflexes."

Tags:euthanasia, vegetative, guardianship, life