Analysis of the Sin of Suicide-Euthanasia
The issue of Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS) is a much-contested and controversial one. Though there has been a lot of debate in recent years, a consensus on the legalization of PAS seems to be a long way off. On the one hand, there is the Hippocratic Oath “to help or at least to do no harm,” which opposers argue is pro-life and morally obligates the physician to preserve and prolong life (Sullivan & Taylor, 2018). On the other hand, it is a more pragmatic, modern-age approach of autonomy and personal choice, unlike the elitist, paternalistic, and heavy-handed approach of ancient context medicine. The argument is that the focus of modern medicine has evolved to be patient-centered care. I do agree with the latter.
First, modern medicine has evolved to be patient-centered. As such, an emerging dominant factor in care decisions is the patient’s autonomy, meaning that suffering patients have a right to choose the manner and the time of their death (Sullivan & Taylor). Given the recent developments in modern medical science, I agree that suffering patients have a right to be medically assisted in achieving that desire. Patients should be told of all available options. They can give advance directives on the care offered at different illness levels, especially if they cannot make such medical decisions. These directives express and protect their wishes and guide doctors’ and families’ treatment wishes. Advance directives can be a living will, DO-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) orders, or a Durable Power of Attorney (DPA) for health care.
Secondly, peace of mind is rooted in a sense of control. Traditional medicine emphasizes treatment that preserves, prolongs, and improves the quality of life (making the patient as comfortable as possible). For terminally ill and dying patients, healthcare providers and professionals provide hospice (palliative) care, which involves terminal sedation (Rubin, 2010). The traditional approach to over-treating terminal illnesses has, in my view, only succeeded in prolonging the process of dying and causing anxiety and depression in the patients. The legalization of PAS can alleviate this unnecessary suffering. Furthermore, studies in states that have legalized PAS have shown that not all patients who request and are granted PAS go through with it. It appears the peace of mind from knowing one has control of the trajectory of their final days is of more importance.
References
Krapp, K. (2001). (Five Volume Set) Kristine M. Krapp – The Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health -Thomson Gale (2001 ).pdf. Retrieved 5 May 2021, from https://drive.google.com/file/d/172mqGZBzKRNDFDEyWqKMvUKptVmV-6q9/view?usp=sharing
Rubin, E. (2010). Assisted Suicide, Morality and Law: Why Prohibiting Assisted Suicide Violates the Establishment Clause. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.1546648
Sullivan, D., & Taylor, R. (2018). THE ETHICAL LANDSCAPE OF ASSISTED SUICIDE: A BALANCED ANALYSIS [Ebook] (pp. 49 – 57).
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Question 
Analysis of the Sin of Suicide-Euthanasia
Reflect on the analysis of the sin of suicide and, thus, euthanasia from the topic readings. Do you agree? Why or why not? Refer to the lecture and topic readings in your response.