Assignment task:
Please respond with your thoughts to this Discussion, thank you.
In the discussion of (PAS), for physicians to apply pain relief to suffering patients, it is morally correct, under the guidelines of double effect, with the basis of it being to achieve the best result. The physicians who would aid in the (PAS) are allowing the patients to decide the best outcome for the terminally ill to end their misery on their terms. While still giving options and the ability to change their minds, it provides peace and dignity in many aspects and morally falls within the double effect guidelines for physicians to achieve the best outcome without the intent of harm but be able to go with patients' wishes to end their pain.
I do believe (PAS) should be legal; it should be one's right to want to end their life, especially those who are terminally ill, with death being the inevitable outcome; in either case, this will shorten the amount of suffering and allow patients and loved ones to come to terms with the idea of assisted suicide. I want to compare it to autonomy, the right of the patient to make decisions about their medical care without outside influence. These decisions affect their loved ones and the sorrow and grief from watching them in pain, knowing death will come soon. There should also be guidelines put into place beforehand to ensure patients are making the best decision to reach their goal; patients who are terminally ill and all medical interventions have been exhausted should be able to decide to end their life. In other cases, it would be beneficial to set guidelines for patients seeking (PAS) such as a phycological examination and discussion with their medical team to discuss new or failed medical treatments. The guidelines should go on a case-by-case basis with contributing factors.
References:
John D. Arras, Physician-Assisted Suicide: A Tragic View, 13 J. Contemp. Health L. & Pol'y 361 (1997).