managements role in euthanasia
Is it ethical for physicians to recommend passive euthanasia for a patient who is mentally incompetent to make his own decisions? A developmentally disabled patient has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. The patient has no family, and is under public guardianship. The public guardian will base his decision on the recommendation of the facility administrator, who will base his decision on that of the medical director. The choices were to continue palliative care until death ensues, or to stop the tube feedings and allow the patient to die. The medical director's recommendation was to stop the feedings. This real life scenario occurred at the facility in which I work, very recently. In order to decide this issue, it is important to analyze and discuss the pros and cons of the euthanasia debate. This issue will continue to surface for years to come. The federal government must enact a law approving or banning euthanasia. Currently, guidelines vary from state to !state. The principles of management that would help a manager in making this type of decision are ethics, authority and responsibility. The term euthanasia is derived from the Greek words 'eu' and 'thantos', which when translated mean easy death. Toda
"Death and Dying: Euthanasia and sustaining life." "Pain Relief Promotions Act, Death and Dying", online, Internet, May 18, 2000. Singer, Peter. Satris, Stephen. "Taking Sides: Clashing views on controversial moral issues". Connecticut: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill Publishing. 1998. Most cultures strictly forbid killing. Cultures do, however, approve of killing in wars or if one's life is in jeopardy. Is helping someone to die killing? Or is killing an act that is against the persons will? In the scenario that was presented, how would one know the will of the patient being that he was non-verbal? Again, is it ethical for physicians to recommend passive euthanasia for a patient who is mentally incompetent to make his own decisions? The encyclopedia of Bio-ethics states that Hebraic and Jewish religions forbid euthanasia of any type. "Death must never be hastened by intention. Physicians who kill in order to spare a patient pain are considered murderers (Encyclopedia of Bio-ethics, 554-555)." Judaism rejects euthanasia as a concept, but does allow merciful killing (passive euthanasia). Christians are against self-induced death. They also despise practices such as abortion. Roman Catholics permit patients to die by turning off life support measur! "Key points for debating assisted suicide". 3 March 2000. http://www.euthanasia.com/debate.html "If mercy Killing becomes Legal. 3 March 2000. http://www.euthanasia.com/mercy.html . Johansen, Jay. Baird, Robert M. and Rosenbaum, E. Stuard. Euthanasia: The Moral Issues. New York: Prometheus Books. 19989. Hall, Kevin. "Living and Dying with Dignity". New York: Barnes and Noble Publications. 1994. "Death and Dying: Euthanasia and sustaining life."
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1290
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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