Medical Ethics: A Brief Overview of Euthanasia Practices

By Rima Hammoudi

People who work in a healthcare setting are often confronted with ethical questions pertaining to medical practices. It is true that most healthcare professionals are not required to adopt a particular moral stance on every single ethical issue. But still, it is important for them, and everyone else for that matter, to think about these situations, and to contemplate their own moral positioning from an objective standpoint.

One such issue is that of euthanasia. Readers must note that this article does not claim to provide any answers or suggest any definitive ethical standpoints regarding the issue of euthanasia, but rather; this article aims to provide a brief overview of said issue.

Euthanasia is a form of terminating a life with the intent of relieving that life from pain or suffering. Also referred to as "mercy killing," euthanasia is in large part considered illegal in all parts of the world, with the exception of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Although these countries have officially legalized euthanasia, there are many stipulations and conditions that must be adhered to, and the legality of such a practice is determined on a case-by-case basis.

The differing legal status of euthanasia across countries speaks to the inconclusiveness of its moral ranking. Students aspiring for a career in healthcare will likely come across health courses that touch on ethical issues such as this one. Coming to a conclusion is rarely the goal of such courses, and instead the focus is to have students explore varying perspectives on ethical quandaries.

Voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia are the two main forms of euthanasia that are most commonly subject to debate. Voluntary euthanasia occurs when a person assists someone in ending their life painlessly because continuing to live would involve prolonged suffering. This form of euthanasia is voluntary because consent was given by the person whose life would end, and that person has actively communicated their wish to die rather than to live.

Non-voluntary euthanasia occurs someone practices mercy killing on an individual who has not given overt consent to do so because they are physically unable to. For example, terminally ill infants or people in permanent vegetative states are unable to give their consent to having their lives terminated, thus consent is made on their behalf (typically by family members and physicians). The notion is that if in fact these individuals had the ability to give their consent, they would prefer to end their life rather than suffer a life of constant pain.

The ethical debate concerning euthanasia is a complicated and long-lived one. Regardless of whether or not you work in a healthcare setting or have had healthcare training, coming to some sort of definitive ethical position is no easy task, and more often than not people are left hovering somewhere between the pro side and the con side.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on health and technology.

Rima Hammoudi is a Copywriter at Higher Education Marketing, a leading Web marketing firm specializing in Google Analytics, Education Lead Generation, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Mobile SMS Alerts, Social Media Marketing and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other Web marketing services and tools.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rima_Hammoudi
 
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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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What Is Euthanasia and What Can I Expect?

By J S Carrillo

Euthanasia literally means 'gentle death'. Other terms you may hear are 'put to sleep', 'put down', 'put out of its misery' or, less kindly, 'destroy'. Veterinary staff may use the term 'humane destruction' which is simply a technical term for putting an animal to sleep.

The decision to end a life is never easy. It is a personal, loving decision to euthanize a pet for which the quality of life has deteriorated. It takes courage to assume this last duty and it is our last responsibility to a pet which has given us love and companionship. There is also no easy human comparison. The bond between dog and owner is a very special one. It is easy to become emotionally caught up in keeping your dog alive when you know that there is no hope of him regaining his health.

Since it is you that decides when it is time to let go. You need to consider things from the dog's point of view.

* Is your dog in incurable pain or discomfort which cannot be alleviated by drugs?
* Has he suffered severe injuries from which he will never recover?
* Does he have an age-related or illness-related condition which cannot be alleviated?
* Is he suffering from a terminal illness which has now reduced his quality of life to such a point that he is no longer happy?
* Is the dog an old dog that has given you so much but is now having difficulty because of old age?

The decision almost always causes much soul-searching, especially if you and your dog have been companions for several years. What matters to the dog is quality of life not length of life since a dog has little concept of future time. An illness may be treatable for a period of time, but there eventually comes a point when the dog no longer enjoys life.

Having seen your dog when he is happy and healthy, most owners recognize the signs given by a dog which is miserable. Your vet will be able to tell you whether the dog has a treatable ailment or is approaching the end of his life.

In discussing your dog's welfare with your vet, he will be able to advise you and help you to make the right decision for your dog, but he cannot make the decision for you.

This will be the Hardest Decision a pet owner will make. Once the decision is made, there are other decisions to make ahead of time. This is a matter of personal taste and preference.

Should I Stay To The End?

This is a personal decision. Some owners feel that it is their last duty to be there. Others prefer not to be present. Many take a friend or family member with them for emotional support.

Most vets will allow you to remain with your dog during euthanasia if you wish. If he does not want you present, ask why and ask if another vet at the practice can perform the euthanasia with you present.

Not all owners wish to be present and there is no shame in this. Some people simply cannot stand the sight of injections. Your vet will allow you to say goodbye to your dog and leave the consulting room. If you are taking your dog's body away with you, he will call you back in afterwards. Your dog will be treated with as much respect and dignity whether or not you are present.

What do I want to do with my pets' body?

Do I want a Burial at home? Many people who own their homes chose to bury their pet in their yards. Great care must be given to bury your pet deep enough - at least three feet to deter predators. It is recommended to wrap your pet in plastic and place several large rocks on top of their remains before covering with earth. Many cities have ordinances against home burial so check with your local officials before laying your pet to rest.

There are also other options that your veterinarian will have. Discuss these options with him to make the best decision for your situation.

It's wise to prepare ahead of time for the loss of a dog. You determine what is acceptable for you and your dog. Having a plan in place before hand will make things easier when the day comes.

Once you have made the decision and discussed your options with your veterinarian, it is sometimes possible to delay euthanasia for a day without causing suffering for example, where he has a terminal illness or is extremely old and the euthanasia is planned in advance. You may wish to give your dog a last night of pampering, his favorite foods or foods which were normally forbidden. This is a time in which to say goodbye and reassure him that he is very much loved. However, if he is suffering, or is already under anesthetic, he will not enjoy having his misery prolonged.

The procedure of euthanasia itself is performed by an anesthetic overdose injected into the vein of a foreleg. A veterinary assistant will give the dog an injection of an anesthetic in the rear to relax and calm him so he will not be in distress for the euthanasia injection.

Once the euthanasia injection is given the dog will lose consciousness within seconds of the injection starting and death follows a few seconds later. If you are holding the dog, you will feel him exhale, relax and become heavier in your arms. Urine may trickle from his bladder as the muscles relax. The vet will check for a pulse or heartbeat to make sure that the dog is gone.

Most vets will place the dog into a natural looking sleeping position (he will look as if he has fallen asleep) and close his eyes since animals do not always close their eyes when they die. Because all the muscles of the face have relaxed, his lips may pull back into what looks like a grimace. This is simply due to relaxation of the muscles and to gravity and is not a sign of pain, but it can cause concern if you did not expect it.

If you have made the decision to take the dogs' body home they will wrap him in a blanket for you so that you may do so. If you have made other arrangements with your vet, he will take care of those arrangements for you.

Keep in mind. This is one of the most humane things you can do for your dog. Modern drugs are extremely fast -acting and the end is very peaceful compared to the latter stages of a terminal illness or age-related illness. With euthanasia by injection, your dog will simply fall into a painless and final sleep. If, during his life, your dog has been a cherished member of your family, this is the last and often most compassionate duty you can perform for him.

J. Carrillo like to write about dogs. She has 2 of her own and shares her experiences with others. Gives her opinion and advice. She writes a blog that celebrates dogs. You can find out more about J. Carrillo and her blog at http://greatdoglovingfriend.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_S_Carrillo
 


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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Approaches to Care in Physician Assisted Suicide

By Sam Oliver

There is a growing interest in suicide. When people start looking for more information about suicide, you'll be in a position to meet their needs. This article is a brief description of much information on this subject. Let's start with 3 levels to discern in the act of euthanasia.

There are three levels to discern in the act of euthanasia:

1. One is a patient who is comatose or brain dead. In these cases the doctor is asked to "pull the plug," or remove the patient from mechanical life support. These cases are generally not challenged by the general public. It is an act of withdrawing or withholding necessary mechanisms used to sustain a life that cannot sustain itself. It is here that the recognition of one's personality is gone and the shell of a body is all that remains.

2. Another act of euthanasia involves the use of morphine to hospitalized patients in the painful final stages of her or his life with diseases such as cancer and AIDS.

3. The last category of euthanasia is patients in relatively good health and at the beginning of a terminal illness wishing to end their lives. Such cases as Alzheimer's and Cancer preclude patients to want information on PAS. This is the most controversial of the three issues involved in euthanasia.

Euthanasia originated from the Greek language meaning "good death." It is the intentional termination of a life by another person capable of doing so by the request of the person wanting to die. Here are a few terms that one needs to know in PAS that define actions taking place.

Passive Euthanasia is the hastening of a death by means of altering some form of support and letting nature take its course. This can include; removing life support equipment, stopping medical treatment or procedures, stopping food and water consumption which leads to dehydration or starving to death, and withholding CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation). The most common use of PAS is to give patients large doses of morphine to control pain. It is most likely that the pain relief will suppress respiration and cause death earlier than it would have otherwise happened. This is also done on patients who are in a persistive vegetative state or patients not able to regain consciousness due to brain damage.

Active Euthanasia is the use of intentional means to cause the death of a person through a direct action. Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a Michigan physician made this well known in 1998 with a patient who had ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). His patient was afraid of the long suffering involved in ALS and wanted to die a quick and painless death. Dr. Kevorkian injected controlled substances into this patient and caused death. Kevorkian was charged with 1st degree murder, but the jury found him guilty of 2nd degree murder in March of 1999.

Physician Assisted Suicide is the provision of information or means to a dying patient with the intent to commit suicide.

Involuntary Euthanasia is the ending of a life without a patient clearly requesting it.

"There are many reasons why patients want to utilize PAS. Some are simply clinically depressed, of which, one's illness has brought on or one's emotional and mental processing of their illness has led to suffering in ways beyond the body. Others live in chronic pain-due to lack of healthcare coverage or means to obtain medication. This later group would rather die early and not incur medical expenses on those they leave behind. A serious disorder or disease such as: ASL, Huntington's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, AIDS, Alzheimer's, etc. are just some of the illnesses people would rather avoid losing their independence and finances over. In some ways, this gives people a feeling of control over the process of their lives."

Sam Oliver, author of, "Integrating the Feminine Spirit: Returning to the Womb of Creation" For more information on this author; http://www.soulandspirit.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Oliver

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Raise Strong Emotions

By Rosemary Redfern

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are emotive subjects. Our fears about death and dying and the laws, both religious and state, which control the legality of death, are powerful influences on all of us.

Staying alive is one of the strongest drives any animal, humans included, has. At the same time, those who are carnivorous in their diet expect animals to die to feed them. This is part of the food chain and is echoed by the animals who hunt for food as opposed to non carnivorous animals.

Society does not expect anyone to kill another person; yet we execute people we deem to have committed certain crimes. We send our children to fight wars for our countries, knowing they can be killed or maimed. These concepts are accepted are normal. Man is an aggressive creature and very muddled in how it thinks.

The danger for most of us with euthanasia and assisted suicide is that someone will die because they are rich, in the way, getting old and being a nuisance or some other idea. Yet when our pets become distressed with disease and old age, after consulting a vet, we give them the mercy of releasing them with a quiet injection and call it putting the animal to sleep. The grief is no less but we feel it is a kind thing to do.

When humans suffer from dreadful diseases like the end of some cancers, motor neuron disease and diseases which take away the independence and dignity of the individual, those who have nothing to do with the person dictate they should live and suffer. They seem to be devoid of imagination of what it is like to suffer unbearable pain or suffocate slowly because the body cannot get air.

Suicide is frowned upon as a cowardly act. For someone who is desperately disfigured it is seen as the only answer. The only person who can know what it is like, is the individual who is suffering. Their family and friends can have some idea because they see the results every day but they cannot know. When you love someone you do not want them to struggle with survival which is traumatic.

Living wills have been designed so that in the event of an unexpected disaster, the wishes of the person are known. Who knows what is happening inside the head of someone who has been in a coma for years. Who knows what quality of life they have. Why is it so terrible to allow someone to die in peace.

In some countries these elements have been considered and thought through. There are legal controls and nothing is done without the criteria being covered. A person cannot just be disposed of as a whim. Surely this is a humane way to treat people who have gone as far as they can. For the religious, dying means getting the reward they have worked for during their lifetime, a positive thing surely.

There is a strong case for euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rosemary_Redfern

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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My Views on Euthanasia

People with strong religious beliefs may not agree with my views on euthanasia. Many hold the opinion that voluntarily ending a human life is immoral and should not be legalized.

The Nancy Cruzan case provides the U.S. legal framework for honoring the legal right of a patient in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). Nancy Cruzan had sustained severe injuries in an automobile accident, and had been in a PVS for five years when the Cruzan family petitioned for the removal of her feeding tube. Hospital employees refused, without court approval, to honor the request of her parents and co-petitioners, to terminate her artificial nutrition and hydration, since that would result in her death. The Missouri Trial Court ruled that Nancy Cruzan had the fundamental right to ask for the removal of her feeding tube. The court rejected the argument that her parents were entitled to terminate her medical treatment, concluding that no person can assume that choice for someone else in the absence of clear and convincing evidence of the patient's wishes. Nancy had expressed to a former housemate that she would not wish to continue living if she became sick or injured unless she could live at least halfway normally. The court, however, decided that the State Living Will statute strongly favored the preservation of life, and that Cruzan's statements to her housemate were unreliable for the purpose of determining her intent.

In 1990, the US Supreme Court affirmed the state's right to determine its requirements for “clear and convincing evidence” and held that a patient in a PVS had the right to discontinue nutrition and hydration when sufficient evidence of their desire was available. In the end, a state trial court authorized the termination of Nancy Cruzan’s feeding tube on June 25, 1990, and found that a person in Cruzan's condition had a fundamental right under the state and federal law to do so. In this case, it would have been ideal for Nancy to have had a living will which stated her end of life wishes in writing.

My book, More Than Meets the Eye, has a legal copy of a living will in the appendix. Or, you may DOWNLOAD YOUR LIVING WILL HERE, and then print it and sign with two witnesses to legally secure your desires concerning life-sustaining treatment and end-of-life procedures.

Suicide in the Elderly

USA Today has reported that, among older people with terminal illnesses who attempt suicide, the number suffering from depression reaches almost 90%. Even Jack Kevorkian, the notorious “suicide doctor,” said at a court appearance that he considers anyone with a disease who is not depressed “abnormal.”

Kevorkian and others who argue in favor of physician-assisted suicide believe that even though depression is treatable; the disabling disease is not. Treating depression in critically ill patients will help to alleviate some of the emotional despair, but it does little to relieve physical symptoms. The patient will still lie on “death row” until the angels come.

My personal opinion is that we have more compassion for our pets than we do for our dying family members. We will euthanize our sick and dying dog, but we will allow our loved one to suffer to the end. I’m not trying to pin guilt on anyone about any end of life decision they may have made for someone, I am simply making an observation in hopes of helping others avoid the end of life trauma that my uncle endured.

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For more information, you might enjoy reading the complete book More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife available on Amazon.com.

Thoughts on Euthanasia

Some people believe that it is not wise to circumvent the dying process. The late psychiatrist and famous author, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, shared that her experience in working with thousands of dying patients and their families convinced her that euthanasia was wrong even for patients with terminal illness. She believed that euthanasia (which she called suicide) cheats people out of the opportunity to complete their unfinished business. The unfinished business she referred to is the contemplation of the ultimate meaning of one's life. She felt the “end of life” period is a time for resolving old disputes, mending relationships, and coming to a final recognition and appreciation of all the good things that have been a part of one's life. That may be easier said than done if a person is on life support and barely have a brain wave!

Personally, I believe we need to do our resolving and keeping our relationships up to date on a daily basis. We never know when our last day is.

Dr. Kubler-Ross believed that, despite their compassionate motives, those healthy bystanders who encourage or even assist in euthanasia are stealing the last precious moments of these patients' lives. I understand her theory, but I believe that every person’s unfinished business must eventually come to an end. If one is unable to live without life support, and feels his business is complete, it would be cruel to force them or their family to suffer needlessly.

Side note here: we induce labor to bring a child into the world against its will. That soul doesn't get to choose its own birthday. Shouldn't a soul get to decide when it enters or leaves the earth plane?

What do you think about euthanasia in a situation where there is little hope for recovery? If that person has a living will stating that he or she does not want to be kept alive on machines, would you have reservations about enacting their wishes and letting them go?

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For more information, you might enjoy reading the complete book More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife available on Amazon.com.
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Two Types of Euthanasia

Twice in my life I have watched the health of a loved one deteriorate until their body could no longer support life on its own. It’s like watching someone drown while holding a life preserver in your hand, except the victim has made a legal choice to refuse your help. In each case, a precarious but necessary decision was made—whether or not to allow euthanasia.

There are two types of euthanasia. Passive Euthanasia, which involves “not taking action” to prevent death, (when doctors refrain from using life support to prolong the life of a terminally ill patient) and active euthanasia, which requires an action on the part of a doctor or medical practitioner to “pull the plug” or administer a lethal injection to bring about the impending death of a critically ill patient.

If you have comments about euthanasia or want to share your story with your readers, please contact me on my writing Web site.
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For more information, you might enjoy reading the complete book More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife available on Amazon.com.

Are You Afraid of Dying?

Do you need comfort after the loss a loved one?

Here's hope!

More Than Meets the Eye: True Stories about Death, Dying and Afterlife authored by Yvonne Perry is for people who are facing challenges presented by bereavement. In the book you will find:

• Information to alleviate the fear of death
  
• Comfort for caregivers, friends and family of a person who is near the end of life, or has recently passed
  
• Understanding for those who have had a near-death experience and lived to tell about it
  
• Insight from Dr. Aaron Milstone, Medical Director of Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Lung Transplant Program about why physicians are ill-equipped to deal with death and are unable to comfort dying patients or their families
  
• Why people sense the presence of their loved ones near them during the funeral, graveside ceremony and in the days following
  
• Reasons we should address end of life issues with family members.
  
• Understanding emotions regarding sorrow, grief, loss and guilt
  
• How to tell if death is about to occur for a critically ill patient and how to assist a loved one in gently departing
  
• Dealing with the emotional devastation of a loved one's suicide and signs that indicate someone may be suicidal
  
• Discussion about euthanasia
  

There's also a legal copy of a Living Will, also known as an Advanced Healthcare Directive included in the book.

My Loved One is Dying and I Feel Guilty About Euthanasia

You are not alone! Yvonne's compassionate views about euthanasia come from her first-hand experience when her uncle was kept alive by machines for almost a year while his doctors allowed his wife to cling to false hope about his ability to survive. His doctors knew he was dying, but would not take action to free him from his suffering. Her uncle's spirit came to her while he was in coma asking her to help his wife understand that he wanted to be released from his body despite what his living will stated. What a relief it was for her and her uncle when his body was unplugged from life support and his spirit was finally freed to soar.

Doctors are not typically trained in medical school to deal with the spiritual side of dying and therefore many of them do not have the ability to address end-of-life decisions with families. Many have no idea how to comfort or prepare a patient or his/her family when the soul is transitioning to the Afterlife. More Than Meets the Eye includes a commentary by Dr. Aaron Milstone, Director for the Lung Transplant Department of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, to bring comforting light to issues such as euthanasia, end of life decisions and other topics we don't normally talk openly about. Dr. Milstone's unique and intuitive method of helping families cope with the impending death of their loved one is shared in this book and will be of great assistance to any doctor or hospice care worker who deals with a high patient mortality rate.

Many families face similar situations, and this book can be a tremendous encouragement to them.