Utilitarian Ethical Analysis of Euthanasia

Utilitarian Ethical Analysis of euthanasiaEthical QuestionShould Euthanasia be an option for the depotly harm?AnalysisThe discussion regarding euthanasia has been make noticeably public all throughout the world (Perm, 2011, p.80). However, recent findings apprise a shift in public policy rely heavily upon the moral and political environment of todays culture (Fratschko, 2016, p.5). Conversely, as religious institutions begin to retire their prominent voice in society, the connotation of what is right and wrong has conventionally been guided in large measure (Fratschko, 2016, p.6).More everywhere, upholding ones dignity is a debate made via the notion of avoiding a deprived end to life (Mishara, 2016). Specific dissimilarities show what characterises a respect fitting way to die. Common degradations may includeBeing a burden to others,Living in a deteriorated state,Being incapable of daily activities, and,Depending on intrusive medical apparatuses.However, the public in general o ften assumes that terminal illnesses, result in a mediocre end to life. This is not the case it is suggested that the psychological environment determines the quality of life over the nature of the illness (Mishara, 2016). Correspondingly, Margaret Battin (1994, para. 5) accentuated that euthanasia to decrease distress encompasses two main factorsPreventing imminent discomfort and misery, as well as,Preventing current discomfort and misery.FactsEuthanasia is a form of voluntary death. Patients who signal for euthanasia do not want to prolong their pain (Aurora, 2014, para. 13). Despite the statistics given by the government, the maintenance for euthanasia has grown throughout the years. In Australia, over 70% would like to see euthanasia be an option, whereas over 12% said no and the remaining people surveyed were unsure (Yamine, 2012, para. 2-3). Statistics highlighted by Emanuel et al. (2012, para. 4), show that slightly 4% of deaths are listed as euthanasia in jurisdictions wh ere it is an option. Although remain relatively rare and involve those who are terminally ill. Finally, those with loved ones in terminally ill situations will agree that end of life care treatments can be costly and put enormous amounts of pressure on the finances (Aurora, 2014).Gaps in correspondenceIt is argued (Glare and Tobin, 1996, p.1668), that acknowledging the rights of the terminally ill is a good attempt to creating an act permitting euthanasia. Equally, over the past fifty years, numerous public opinion surveys declare indicated growing support for euthanasia. However, this approval of euthanasia goes against certain Christian moralities in which have been the barricade in contradiction to the approval of euthanasia (Hamil-Luker and Smith, 1998, p.373).Some treatments may be trammel to the re dwellf of pain and distress with the intention of allowing the patient to die a comfortable death. However, this implies that death must be imminent (Glare and Tobin, 1996, p.166 9). Palliative care specialist, Ian Maddocks express his concerns that if euthanasia were an option, death could be viewed as a quick fix to the suffering that could be relieved with palliative care (Harrison, 2013). Research conducted by Chapple et al. (2006, para. 3) on those nearing death is an important factor to add to the debate. Regarding those who have watched others die are predominantly convinced that euthanasia should be an option, some for multiple reasons including the pain and the anticipation of waiting to die, embarrassment and the loss of control and cerebral impairment (Chapple et al. 2006, para. 3).Positive negative consequencesPositiveFirstly, we know that utilitarian people believe actions should provideutmost contentment for the highest human activity of people, whereas the outcome ought to ascertain the ethical worth of the action. Therefore, if euthanasia increases the joy of a person and reduce pain simultaneously, then it is considered ethically correct (JDDN, 2012).People have the right to die. Behind this ideology is that we should have unbosomdom regarding certain decisions. Some people believe we all have the rights to regulate our bodies and therefore should be able to determine when and what time we die (BBC, 2014, para. 2).If you accept act-utilitarianism, then the arguments make perfect sense. One final positive degree in regards to allowing people to die may free up scarce health resources and be allocated to those who want to live (BBC, 2014, para. 30).NegativeOver 30 of Australias top palliative practitioners oppose the introduction of euthanasia as they describe it as unnecessary and unsafe (Vermeer, 2017). Paraphrased by Singer (2003, p.536), Hentoff states that most palliative care specialists admit there are cases wherein pain is not sufficiently alleviated. However, terminal sedation is offered as a replacement, although, some ethicists, do not consider terminal sedation as an equivalent to euthanasia. (Singer, 2 003, p. 537).Argued by Doerflinger (Singer, 2003, p. 535). Those who independently reason for euthanasia are not being straightforward. For example, the issue was raised when 86-year-old Edward Brongersma, was euthanised by a doctor because he was old and tired of life. Even though this fly the coop to that doctors conviction and acquittal, a utilitarian should not have an issue with the doctors decision because it was Brongersmas decision to die and that nobody else can decide if Brongersmas life contained more positive or negative experiences (Singer, 2003, p. 536).Finally, the decision may place added pressure on the terminally ill. The main aspects of the argument are that terminally ill patients may be pressured into giving consent when they do not want it or correspondingly, they will be euthanised without consent because they could be considered a burden or to save coin (Singer, 2003, p.538).ConclusionThrough act utilitarianism, we can see that euthanasia is certainly an ar gumentative issue. There are several perspectives regarding Utilitarianism which differ on certain aspects regarding euthanasia. In accordance to act-utilitarianism the right action of all is greater than any other action, therefore each act is judged independently by the act-utilitarianism (Singer, 2003, p. 536). However, gaps in understanding lie mainly lie within the religious side of the issue, believing the right to decide when someone dies belongs to god. In summation, by having a regulated form of euthanasia, it is deduced that the positives overbalance the negatives in regards to the ethics of euthanasia.ReferencesAurora, P 2014, 14 Facts You Never Knew About Euthanasia, viewed 29 serve 2017, .Battin, MP 1994, Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide, The Oxford Handbook of Practical Ethics, vol. 1, no. 1, para. 5BBC 2014, Pro-euthanasia arguments, viewed 24 March 2017,Chapple, A, Zieblan, S, McPherson, A Herxheimer, A 2006, What people close to death say about euthanasi a and assisted suicide a qualitative study , diary of medical ethics, vol. 32, no. 12, para. 3Emanuel, EJ, Onwuteaka-Philipsen, BD, Urwin, JW Cohen, J 2012, Attitudes and Practices of Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide in the United States, Canada, and Europe, Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, vol. 316, no. 1, para. 4Fratschko, LM 2016, The Euthanasia Debate International Experienceand Canadian Policy Proposals, The University of Western Ontario, viewed 15 March 2017, .Glare, PA Tobin, B 1996, Euthanasia in Australia, The New England ledger of medicine, vol. 334, no. 25, pp. 1668 1669.Hamil-Luker, J Smith, C 1998, Religious Authority and Public Opinion on the Right to Die, Sociology of religion, vol. 59, no. 4, pp. 373.Harrison, D 2013, Euthanasia should not be a quick fix, The Area News, 26 April, viewed 29 March 2017, .JDDN. 2012, Euthanasia A Utilitarian Perspective, viewed 30 March 2017, .Mishara, BL. 2016 Euthanasia, viewed 28 March 2017, .Perm, J 2 011, Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia, ticker for Creative Leadership, viewed 26 March 2017, .Singer, P 2003, Voluntary euthanasia a utilitarian perspective, Bioethics, vol. 17, no. 5-6, pp. 535 538Vermeer, D. 2017, Euthanasia and assisted suicide unnecessary and unsafe, viewed 29 March 2017, .Yamine, E 2012, Most want euthanasia legalised in Australia, Herald Sun, 19 November, viewed 25 March 2017, .