Ethics of Euthanasia
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Ethics of Euthanasia
The ethics of Euthanasia can be a very tricky and delicate subject. For those who do not know what it is, euthanasia is a procedure in which an animal is put to death "humanely" and comfortably at the hands of a veterinarian. Typically, Euthanasia is performed when the animal is suffering from a massive amount of pain, or if it has a terminal illness and is not expected to survive. However, in some cases, for example, outdoors in severe circumstances, such as at a horse ranch, euthanasia can take place when a horse can no longer perform its specified function at the ranch. In the cases of horses, if one has broken a leg or foot and can no longer perform the work it has been acquired for, the owner will put that horse to death, even though it might have otherwise lived a long life.
The usual reason for this is that the owner cannot afford to continue maintaining the horse, especially if the owner gets nothing out of it, if the horse cannot benefit the owner. The same is true of racing horses because if they can no longer race, the owner sees no reason to maintain the horse's life and the animal becomes a burden. This is why the ethics of Euthanasia are constantly being battled. When is it ever a right decision to "put down" an animal, if that animal could have lived a long life? If it was only put down because it cannot work or race, or, in the cases of dogs and cats, does not have a home, is it the right thing to do to euthanize it? You can find out more information on the issues of euthanasia, and the ethics involved here at Business.com. Click the links on the left to find information on all sides of the issue, and start forming your own opinion on the subject today.
Ethics of Euthanasia Key Terms
Learn ethics of euthanasia key terms to communicate with others effectivelyBy Christine Pollock Euthanasia is a difficult and controversial topic. Knowing ethics of euthanasia key terms helps you coherently discuss the topic with others and allows you to clearly express your own beliefs.
Understand what lawyers and doctors talk about by studying up on ethics of euthanasia key terms. Use this understanding to your own advantage as you probe for further insight in the area or as you communicate with other experts in the field on this topic.
Euthanasia
This is the term for allowing a person to die without stopping them, or even ending a person's life intentionally. With euthanasia, the person dies as a result of an attempt to relieve pain or as an act of mercy or respect for the patient's dignity.
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Euthanasia.com offers a wealth of information on the topic. It has easy-to-use links to facts, articles and stories related to Euthanasia.
Beneficence
Many people believe euthanasia is an act of beneficence. This means they try to do good and remove harm from a patient.
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Ascension Health offers a very detailed summary of beneficence and what it means. It points out moral quandaries related to the word and defines how religious groups define the term.
Active voluntary euthanasia
This is the term used when a suffering patient asks a physician to end his or her life by using a lethal injection.
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The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy offers a dictionary detailing the definition of voluntary euthanasia, introducing the topic then going into greater depth on the subject. It links to sites that discuss candidacy and moral principles related to the topic.
Active euthanasia
Active euthanasia is a direct or intentional end to life in a human either due to a patient's request or without a request.
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Pregnant Pause is a site to go to when determining the nuances of a euthanasia definition. It compares and contrasts terms such as active euthanasia and passive euthanasia.
Passive euthanasia
This is the terminology used when a patient is allowed to die by letting a disease run its course without interference or by taking away treatments and medication.
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Net Industries defines passive euthanasia and offers examples of how the medical community uses this method to terminate life in extreme situations.
Involuntary Euthanasia
Although very similar to murder, involuntary euthanasia is slightly different. It is the term for killing a person who wants to live, but is overruled in extreme cases for a mercy killing.
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The NRLC Department of Medical Ethics offers a paper detailing the increase of involuntary euthanasia. It cites examples of those for involuntary euthanasia, as well as those against it.
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