Euthanasia Mediation

1. Euthanasia Mediation By Kailey Bueker

2. Background Information Active Euthanasia: deliberate action of a medical professional to end someone’s life Passive Euthanasia: an intentional termination of life by the deliberate withholding of drugs or other life-sustaining treatments Assisted Suicide: a term to describe he suicide of a patient suffering from an incurable disease, effected by the taking of lethal drugs provided by a doctor for this purpose

3. Pro-Euthanasia Supported by Oregon, Washington,and parts of Texas Since the law became effective in Oregon, 455 people have requested lethal drugs from physicians, with 292 ending their lives and perhaps an extremely painful state of living Terri Schiavo case— a cardiac arrest and massive brain damage put her in a vegetative state for 7 years before the federal court system finally removed her feeding tube after years of unimaginable suffering for herself and those close to her

4. Terri Schiavo Case: • Could have been prevented with euthanasia to prevent the suffering of herself and her family for over half of a decade • Active euthanasia was necessary here; the removal of the feeding tube would lead to the ending of her life

5. Anti-Euthanasia The request for euthanasia comes from a lack of care for patients or undesirable living situations A loophole in the process of euthanasia is that the physician does not have to be present while drugs are taken Many faiths believe humans are not the masters of life and that even human suffering has an underlying meaning A legalization of euthanasia could provoke a situation like Adolf Hitler and his mass euthanasia The Netherlands has experienced ongoing problems since its regulation of the Assisted Suicide Act of 2002

6. Problems in the Netherlands Many physicians argue that in too many cases the doctor has made the decision to implement euthanasia while going to the patient as a second opinion, when the patient is clinically depressed and would choose euthanasia themselves: “A physician advocate of euthanasia, when working with a prospective euthanasia candidate, could refer the patient to a known physician supporter of euthanasia for a second opinion, and both being advocates of euthanasia, would of course come to the conclusion that euthanasia was appropriate, even if many other physicians would strongly disagree. This type of reasoning has resulted in the medical killings of depressed patients, chronically ill and others” (Greenburg 198). The alternative they argue in the Netherlands, then, is excellent palliative care provided in hospice settings is the preferred and the truly compassionate way to provide a death with dignity Physicians believe pain relief modalities must be taught more in medical and nursing schools and put into practice using the latest medications and treatments for pain and relief of other distressing symptoms

7. Mediation Active or passive euthanasia should not come into play unless it is clear that measures need to be taken Oregon’s solution: a familiar doctor discusses all other options with the patient while evaluating their true physical and psychological state, especially depression If a patient is depressed more measures need to be taken instead of euthanasia The law requires a patient to make two oral requests for lethal drugs, at least two weeks apart, before the physician can prescribe them However, to ensure the elimination of underhanded activity of the physician several other doctors should be present when the physician gives any form of drug to the patient

8. Mediation Cont. Any reports should be reviewed by another nurse to prevent any mishaps or filed reports based on secondhand information or guesswork

9. Works Cited Enouen, Susan W. “Oregon’s Euthanasia Law: It’s About Far More than the Number of People Dying.” Life Issues Institute, 2012. Web. 25 March 2012. <http://www.lifeissues.org/euthanasia/oregons_law.htm>. Greenberg, Samuel I. Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: Psychosocial Issues. Springfield: Charles C Thomas Publisher LTD, 1997. Print. Kohl, Marvin. Beneficent Euthanasia. Buffalo: Prometheus Books, 1975. Print. Misbin, Robert I. Euthanasia: The Good of the Patient, The Good of Society. Frederick: University Publishing Group Inc, 1992. Print.

10. Rubric and Grade Overall Comments: Actually, I’m in agreement with your Response Team, below: an awfully good presentation, but lacking in a few key specifics. The most troubling lack was the one they asked about, the Netherlands and just what had gone wrong there. You might compare what you have to say about the Schiavo case, on your “Pro-Euthanasia” slide. Though that “Pro” slide too has an empty spot, the first point, “Considered assisted suicide.” You should look into that and clarify how it argues for euthanasia. Then too, the photo of the young hand holding the old one doesn’t deserve a slide to itself; it belongs somewhere among the arguments “pro.” That said, you develop an effective Yea and Nay organization, and both the Mediation and Works Cited are impressively thorough. Also, as ever, your command of language is impressive, and this came across out loud. A- or 92.