The ethical problem that will be solved in the research is on the morality and legality of physician-assisted suicide. The idea of physician-assisted suicide got a rise in the 1990s when people considered assisted suicide in the hospitals legal and moral while others thought it was unethical. The two opposing solutions here can be to make physician-assisted suicide legal or to make it illegal. This topic provides two opposing views which can lead to a debate and then arrive at a solution which can be considered to be ethically sound.
Those arguing in support of the physician-assisted suicide have stated that it is the right of an individual to choose the time and manner in which they want to die and should, therefore, be allowed to do so. They argue that it is fundamentally the choice of an individual and laws should not limit one because people have the right to make an end of life decisions. Those supporting the legalization of a physician-assisted suicide note the fear of severe pain, staying too long in the hospital facility and the issue of financial as well as an emotional drain to the family members of the patients. Severe pain and agony can make one die a death of no dignity, and by being assisted in committing suicide, they die with dignity.
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People in the argument against the legalization of physician-assisted suicide have claimed that no one has a choice to take away his own life, which is considered sacred. Also, physicians have the role to play in improving the health outcome of the patients and any act that tends to eliminate the life of patient amounts to a breach of the professional code of conduct. Healthcare professional is expected at all times to provide care in a way that will improve the health of patients and should not, therefore, engage in any activity that harms the life of the patients. The goal of nursing and medicine is to support life, not to assist in terminating life. They, therefore, argue that assisted suicide amounts to murder and a breach of the professional code of conduct and should be made illegal.
Sources
Waller, B. N. (2011). Consider Ethics: Theory, readings, and contemporary issues (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
This source provides crucial information on the ethical consideration within the nursing profession. It offers ways to solve moral problems and dilemmas that are common within the profession. This information is useful for this research because it covers sensitive areas of ethical issues.
Lipuma, S. H. (2013). Continuous sedation until death as physician-assisted suicide/euthanasia: a conceptual analysis. Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, 38(2), 190-204.
The author of the article addresses the legal and ethical conceptual analysis of the physician-assisted suicide. The author notes the different points of arguments that have been brought in by various scholars on the morality and legality of the whole issue. The information in this article is therefore important for this research because it tries to expand our knowledge on the topic.
Bilsen, J. J., Vander Stichele, R. H., Mortier, F., & Deliens, L. (2004). Involvement of nurses in physician ‐ assisted dying. Journal of advanced nursing, 47(6), 583-591.
The author of this article identifies the legal and ethical complications that arise when nurses involve themselves in assisting patients to commit suicide. While a consensus has not been reached on this debate, different scholars have continued to provide opposing views on the legality and morality of the matter. This information is important for this research because it broadens our understanding of the research topic.
