Values and Principles Regarding Physician-assisted Suicide Essay Example

nature and sacredness of being human. The Hippocratic medical oath emphasizes protecting life and avoiding harmful practices, binding all healthcare professionals to uphold and safeguard human existence (Adams, 2015).

Physician-assisted suicide contradicts the Hippocratic Oath, which requires doctors to use medical techniques to preserve life (Adams, 2015). Furthermore, ethical values prioritize virtues like empathy, compassion, honesty, and truthfulness. Another important principle is non-maleficence, which promotes behavior that prevents harm to oneself or others (Vaughn, 2015).

Physician-assisted suicide is detrimental to patients since it deliberately results in death, thus violating the principle of non-maleficence. Additionally, this action contradicts the principle of fidelity, which involves upholding commitments and agreements. It is crucial to acknowledge that doctors have a professional obligation to adhere to the principles stated in the Hippocratic Oath.

According to Vaughn (2015), physicians who disregard the principle of preserving human life and violate the Hippocratic Oath also undermine the principle of fidelity. Moreover, physician-assisted suicide is in contradiction with equal treatment under the law, thus violating the essence of human equality (Vaughn, 2015).

According to Anderson's article, chronically ill patients are deemed unfit to live and consequently experience premature death as a means of eradicating suffering. The author assesses the morality of physician-assisted suicide and contends that this practice is ethically incorrect. Irrespective of their health condition, disability, or age, every individual should receive equal treatment within legal parameters.

The author argues against the desirability of legalizing physician-assisted suicide, citing its contradiction with medical ethics, human principles, the value of human life, and the law. Anderson proposes that society should prioritize genuine care and compassion rather than promoting assisted suicide. I personally believe that physician-assisted suicide is morally, religiously, medically,

and legally incorrect. Moreover, I think that advocating for compassion and care should be given priority over endorsing assisted suicide. According to religious ethics, human life is a sacred element bestowed by God and surpasses human comprehension and influence.

Religious ethics assert that only God possesses the authority to end life, and physician-assisted suicide is deemed to erode religious ethics for several reasons. Firstly, it dismisses the sanctity of human life by hastening death. Secondly, it undermines God's role as the ultimate bestower and taker of life by granting medical professionals and patients the autonomy to determine when and how life should be terminated. Biomedical ethics mandates healthcare providers to preserve human life in accordance with the Hippocratic Oath, thereby prohibiting physicians from utilizing medical methods or instruments to terminate life.

Assisted suicide, a controversial practice where medical professionals deliberately administer lethal drugs or injections to cause death, raises ethical concerns in the field of biomedicine. Firstly, this act forces doctors to disregard their duty of preserving human life and contradicts their ethical responsibilities. Secondly, it erodes the significance and integrity of medical instruments within the context of biomedical ethics.

Instead of utilizing these tools for life preservation, doctors employ them to facilitate death. Legally, all individuals should receive equal treatment irrespective of their health condition. Assisted suicide undermines human equality by subjecting chronically ill patients to predetermined demise. Generally, assisted suicide contradicts human morality. Traditionally, individuals are encouraged to display concern and understanding towards the sick. Nevertheless, physician-assisted suicide erodes the moral principles of compassion and care.

Patients with chronic illnesses frequently experience depression and perceive themselves as burdens, causing them to lose their sense of purpose and

contemplate death. In my opinion, demonstrating authentic compassion and delivering care can assist patients in maintaining their gratitude for life. Instead of perceiving themselves as burdens, individuals with chronic illnesses will feel esteemed and treasured, ultimately strengthening their determination to persevere despite their health conditions.

Both the government and the public can play a significant role in reducing physician-assisted suicide through promoting genuine care and compassion. It is evident that assisted suicide is morally, legally, medically, and religiously incorrect. Therefore, rather than advocating for its legalization, society should aim to protect human life by exploring alternative solutions that adhere to ethical standards in religion, humanity, and medicine.