Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia

The race is over the pain is excruciating; no one is sure what to do, however, without question the doctor announces that there is no hope the animal is lame and will never run another race, it is time to be humane and put the horse down. This is where the debate comes into play, it is considered humane to euthanize an animal that is in pain; however, it is illegal to euthanize a human being that is in excruciating pain even when the prognosis is death. Health care professionals are to uphold the professional obligation to heal, not to cause harm. It is stated that better pain management is currently available to ease the pain and suffering of patients until they die, so physician assisted suicide is unnecessary.

Although a physician is obligated to follow the current rule of no physician assisted suicide there are several benefits to many patients if it were allowed. For example, a patients dignity would still be intact, their pain and suffering and the pain and suffering of their family would be minimal, the financial burden to the family and health insurance companies would be minimal and the patient should be able to make the decision and have the choice of their own body if they want to choose euthanasia when they are critically ill. There are many issues against euthanasia as well, life insurance payouts would potentially increase because people would tend to take out larger insurance policies to help take care of their families if they were able to choose euthanasia, the family could convince everyone their family member is insane and would want euthanasia instead of living with the pain and decline in dignity. The motivation to the negative would be money and financial gain by family members and possible healthcare professionals.