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Euthanasia

Do we have the right to die?. Euthanasia. By: Alissa Borshchenko , Lucy Hovanisya n, Catherine Kovalyova , Fiera Zayats SB2P-04. The Suicide Note.

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Euthanasia

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  1. Do we have the right to die? Euthanasia By: AlissaBorshchenko, Lucy Hovanisyan, Catherine Kovalyova, FieraZayats SB2P-04

  2. The Suicide Note “…After six weeks of streptomycin shots and a total of eleven weeks of rest in bed we have conclusive proof that the ulcers in my bronchial tubes have not healed. To try further would mean many more months of bed rest -- more shots and inhalations -- I can't remain at the hospital for the winter months and a prolonged stay at a rest home is out of the question. I did some figuring -- the weekly rate there -- the amount of streptomycin for shots and inhalations plus the doctor's weekly visits would total to over $200 a week -- I can't bleed my family for any such amount of money, and that means that as soon as the money I have in my checking account runs out I would have to return home -- back to the same conditions which caused me to go downhill so steadily. It's a vicious circle from which there seems no escape…I am now convinced that my condition is too chronic and therefore a cure doubtful.…” - Part of a real suicide note

  3. What is euthanasia? • Euthanasia is the process of painlessly killing a terminally ill patient suffering from an incurable disease • Euthanasia is also called “assisted suicide” or “mercy killing” • According to the law, it is illegal within the United States since the 19th century – it is considered a form of homicide • Like abortion, it is a heavily debatable topic that consists of many opposing views

  4. The Process of Euthanasia • Euthanasia is carried out by a doctor, who inserts a lethal injection into the patient, using a needle • When euthanasia is performed with the patient’s consent, it is called voluntary euthanasia • When euthanasia is performed without the patient’s consent, it is called nonvoluntary, or non-choiceeuthanasia • the 3rd form of euthanasia is called involuntary euthanasia, where the doctor performs euthanasia against the patient’s wishes

  5. "I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel." • Hyppocrates first made this statement in 400 B.C. • 2400 years later, doctors are still bound to follow this principle • Many religious and medical professionals abide by this idea and are opposed to euthanasia • The reason for this opposition is because people against euthanasia say that the physicians help take a life (perform second-degree murder) • Additionally, they agree that suicide is not the answer to solve problems

  6. “Dying is not a crime…” • Jack Kevorkian, “Doctor Death”, coined this phrase • His idea was to help patients commit suicide when all else is lost • Thus, he believes, he is doing his patients a favor by helping them relieve their pain quickly and painlessly • Many support this side because they say it is up to the patients, for it is their life, and they decide their own outcome • If the patient wants to die, it is not a crime

  7. More on Dr. Death • Jack Kevorkian assisted to kill at least 45 patients, who wished to end their life • He was tried several times in Oakland County, Michigan, for second-degree murder, and was eventually sent to jail for 10-25 years (but was released on parole in 2007) • Created a “suicide machine” in 1989, and tried it on Janet Adkins, a 54-year-old with Alzheimer's • Records show that all of his patients were satisfied

  8. Dr. Death’s “Deeds” • "My aim in helping the patient was not to cause death… my aim was to end suffering. It's got to be decriminalized." • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6EAMD6NS9U

  9. Against Euthanasia • There are those who oppose the process of euthanasia, like Tony Abbott (Australian Shadow Minister) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpCj4F4aFlw

  10. The difference between withdrawing from medical treatment and physician-assisted suicide… “It may seem that a fine line separates both, but actually the difference is marked. In both types the patient wants to end his life, but in the second case, the doctor is involved, he provides the lethal injection/medication. But in neither type does the doctor himself administer the injection/medication as that is considered tantamount to murder.” - Nita J. Kulkarni

  11. Laws That Should Be Passed • Euthanasia shall not be performed by other than the physician/doctor himself and shall not be permitted without strict legal documents. If a patient has family and is in a state where they are unable to make a decision, the decision of the family should be taken into effect. • Euthanasia will not be performed under open conditions (e.g. without the patient's permission) and will certainly not be permitted against the patient's will. If the patient does not have any family, then the doctor may perform what he thinks is best. Come that time, he must write up legal evidence that will protect him if any problem is to arise.

  12. So… which side is right? • Does the doctor have the right to use his or her judgment when a patient is in a state where they are unable to make a decision? (e.g. coma) • If there is a case where the patient cannot make a decision, does the decision of the patient's family overrule that of the doctor? • If the patient suffers mental retardation, should the doctor be able to perform a medically-based decision and ignore the decision of the patient? • If the patient decides to be killed because there is no treatment, but the family later finds out that illegal drugs were used to kill the patient, which may have resulted in a not-so-calm death, is the family allowed to press charges? • If the patient's case is treatable, but they decide to be killed, what should the doctor do?

  13. Statistics By Political Party

  14. Statistics By Age

  15. Statistics By Situation

  16. Bibliography • "Art Kleiner Suicide." The WELL - the birthplace of the online community movement. 12 May 2009 <http://www.well.com/~art/suicidenotes.html>. • "Euthanasia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 12 May 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia>. • "Jack Kevorkian - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 12 May 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kevorkian>. • "Jack Kevorkian." NNDB: Tracking the entire world. 12 May 2009 <http://www.nndb.com/people/272/000023203/>. • Kulkarni, Nita J. "Euthanasia may be illegal but its not unpopular!" A wide angle view of India. 12 May 2009 <http://nitawriter.wordpress.com/2008/02/14/euthanasia-pros-and-cons/>. • Medscape. "Physician-Assisted Suicide." Medscape: Free CME, Medical News, Full-text Journal Articles & More. 12 May 2009 <http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/409026_2>. • Soylent Communications. "Jack Kevorkian." NNDB: Tracking the entire world. 12 May 2009 <http://www.nndb.com/people/272/000023203/>. • "What is Euthanasia?" WiseGEEK: clear answers for common questions. 12 May 2009 <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-euthanasia.htm>. • YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. 12 May 2009 <http://youtube.com>.

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