There are numerous controversial issues that currently affect the evolving field of psychology. Unsolved issues on human experimentation, abortion, genetic testing, animal rights are a few examples of themes that arouse conflict and contention. Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted suicide is yet another controversial issue that has particular relevance to the field of psychology because of the apparent moral and ethical dilemmas involved. Euthanasia, by definition "a happy death," implies an easy or painless death. The purpose of this procedure is usually to end suffering analogous to the phrase "mercy killing," the practice of putting to death a persons suffering from incurable conditions or diseases. This subject brings to discussion one of the oldest and most controversial issues in the practice of modern medicine.

On one side of the argument, Euthanasia would appear to be contradicting the Hippocratic oath, which proscribes inducing death, even if it is requested by the patient. On the contrary, medicine could be referred to as the practice that not only prevents death, but enhances the quality of life through prevention of suffering. The issue of assisted suici

Those who argue against physician-assisted suicide primarily base their justification on the moral probity of the medical profession. There are many worries that go along with the legalization of euthanasia. In the Netherlands, euthanasia has already been legalized and is being practiced. Some of the frequent concerns are the possible pressuring of patients into consenting, especially those without health insurance or financial support. Economic and financial hardships could potentially play a major factor with the unjust persuasion of an individual into such a procedure. The Netherlands, indeed, finds itself having an alarmingly high rate of involuntary euthanasia, which is unequivocally impermissible.

The third source used was Ethical Issues in Modern Medicine, The Second Edition, by John Arras and Robert Hunt. This text again provided information on the publicly excepted principles of bioethics dealing with assisted suicide. Discussions of Euthanasia and the Care of Dying Patients dealt with the controversial beliefs on whether or not an individual is competent enough to make a life ending decision. Finally, Saul Kassin's text, Psychology, The Second Edition, was used for insight on the psychological relevance of euthanasia to an individuals moral and cognitive development. This source was particularly useful in related my controversial issue topic to the field of psychology.

Euthanasia is also seen as being a serious distraction to physicians and others in the medical field because of the potential luring of doctors away from the improvement of pain control, suffering and terminal care. In addition to this, frequent practice of euthanasia could very well negatively affect the trust entailed in the patient-physician relationship with doctors who are known to actively practice assisted suicide. All practitioners in the medical field take the Hippocratic oath stating the following, "...I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel..."

I feel that euthanasia should only be legalized under very specific guidelines. I agree that there should be an established committee that analyzes the competency of the patient's mental status, thus assuring that the patient is fully able to make such an irreversible decision. I see Euthanasia as being a justifiable procedure provided that the patient is not forced into doing anything that they do not desire, and that there is an assurance that the patient will be capable to make such a decision. With the proper safeguarding against abuse, physician-assisted suicide is a moral option to those in need of a way out of their terminal suffering.

There are five commonly excepted ethical reasons for those against physician assisted suicide. The first is that the American Medical Association has ruled out any "mercy killing, which is defined as " the intentional termination of the life of one human being by another." They argue that a physician's duty is to prevent medical suffering in the first place as laid out in the Hippocratic Oath, an oath that all physicians take upon completion of medical school. "Western medicine has regarded the killing on patients, even on request, as a profound violation of the deepest meaning of the medical vocation...Neither legal tolerance nor the best bedside manner can ever make medical killing medically ethical."

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Approximate Word count = 2966
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)