Death with Dignity Scenario and Reflection
It is important to understand that everyone has their right to an opinion, being it ethical vs. unethical. Most unethical cases though, are termed as illegitimate reasons, so they are frowned upon by, or as a society.
Out of the four responses that were given in the Death with Dignity scenario and reflection, the most ethical according to me would be that of Dr. Mahals assessment of the law, which is reasonable. The Death with Dignity Act is carefully constructed, and protects both doctor and patient. For PAS to be legal, the patient must be sane and properly informed about potential alternatives. This is an ethical template that other states considering such a law might be encouraged to adapt.
I believe Dr. Mahals views were ethical to me. First, lets understand the Death with Dignity law. This law allows a qualified terminally-ill adult to voluntarily request and receive a prescription medication to speed up the death process (Death with Dignity, 2017). This law as Dr. Mahal said protects both the doctor, as well as the patient. It is vital to understand that it is the patients legal right, judging by their health condition, to choose if they want to make the decision of passing PAS (Death with Dignity, 2017). Patient is of sound mind while making this decision, and has an informed consent to sign, and understand what he or she will be going through under the Death with Dignity law.
Although I find Dr. Mahals views ethical, it is with no doubt that PAS continues to be debated as either ethical or non-ethical. The ethics of Physician associated suicide is often argued on the grounds for a dying person who is choosing to escape unbearable suffering at the end of life. This furthermore causes the physician to be involved in alleviating the suffering and pain, and provide aid in the dying process. PAS also comes under unethical views, as some condone the practice of PAS as a slippery slope that could lead to euthanasia (Starks, 2013).
References
Death with Dignity. (2017). How to Access and Use Death with Dignity Laws. Retrieved from:
https://www.deathwithdignity.org/learn/access/
Starks, Helene. (2013). Physician Aid-in-dying. Retrieved from:
https://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/pad.html
