Doctor Assisted Death A Patients Choice - 1354 Words

Doctor Assisted Death: A Patients Choice James Reed Ivy Tech Community College Doctor Assisted Death: A Patients Choice Matthew Donnelly loved life. But Matthew Donnelly wanted to die. For the past thirty years, Matthew had conducted research on the use of X-Rays. Now, skin cancer riddled his tortured body. He had lost his nose, his left hand, two fingers on his right hand, and part of his jaw. He was left blind and was slowly deteriorating. The pain was unrelenting. Doctors estimated that he had a year to live. Lying in bed with teeth clenched from the excruciating pain, he pleaded to be put out of his misery. Matthew wanted to die now. His pleas went unanswered. Then one day, Matthew’s brother Harold,†¦show more content†¦Consider a person with an incurable illness or severe debility such that life has become so racked with pain or so burdensome that desirable, meaningful, purposeful existence has ceased. Suppose that person says, My life is no longer worth living; I cannot stand it any longer; I want to end it now to avoid further pain, indignity, torment, and despair. In the end after all alternatives have been thoroughly considered, this person should have the right to make a choice to die and that it ought to be honored. Consultation with physicians, clergy, lawyers, therapists, family, and others to ensure such a serious and irreversible decision will be made only after sufficient time has passed and every alternative thoroughly weighed. Obligations to others and their needs should be taken into account. The state has an interest in protecting life. But, in the end, individuals should be given wide latitude in deciding when life has become an unendurable hardship. Doctor assisted death can help to reduce the financial burden to a patient with a terminal illness and to the economy. While finances should not be a determining factor for someone to choose to die, it cannot be overlooked as a major burden. It is no secret that premiums on health care have taken a major jump in costs over the last decade. Some workers around the country have gone on strike simply to protest the increase in health care costs. We regularly debate how to provide