End-of-Life Options

Some conditions in one’s life may be painful and cause extreme pain and suffering to a person.


Some conditions in one’s life may be painful and cause extreme pain and suffering to a person. Since Winifred has suffered a lot, and chances of getting well are minimal, she has never wanted to experience any further pain and to be put under special equipment. There are many options available for Winifred to die with dignity, faster, and peacefully, avoiding further suffering. The end-of-life option is a legal request, which allows certain competent individuals to seek a medication from physicians to end their life. Some states have allowed this request of its citizens. This paper will analyze options Winifred can opt to face a peaceful and dignified death https://bestwritingservice.ae/book-review-writing/.

End-of-Life Options

People with terminally ill conditions experiencing extreme pain like Winifred may choose to end their life. Euthanasia is a situation whereby a person dies by being assisted or self-administering a medication to avoid experiencing pain for a long time. Active euthanasia is when a third-party assists in dying like shooting or giving a lethal dose of drugs in the form of pills or injections. In addition, in a clinical setting, a person responsible for administering such medications is a physician. Passive euthanasia does not require any interference from the third party. It can be done by switching off the life support system or disconnecting the medical equipment.

Voluntary euthanasia is when a competent adult person like Winifred can request an action causing death. She needs to be conscious, well-informed, and with a stable mental state that will allow her make a willful request. The lack of mental competence will imply that a person cannot make a choice willingly, for example, due to unconsciousness. Therefore, there is non-voluntary euthanasia, where a third party makes a decision/request. For example, if Winifred is in coma, a family member will decide. However, when this is done against patient’s will and is actually imposed on her, then it is involuntary and termed as a murder.

Passive euthanasia is legal in all states of the U.S., and medical practitioners are given a list of conditions, under which they can stop treatment of dying patients. When the elderly and terminally ill people like Winifred feel they have lost dignity and may not be able to enjoy certain activities, like walking and jogging among others, they may request the action to be taken. Some other patients also see they are a burden for the family and request for euthanasia, for example, being in a vegetative state. While hospitals may want to free up some hospital beds, physicians may do all they can in order to avoid a lawsuit as a result of any malpractice. In a situation where family members do not agree with doctors, the court may intervene to define the course of action for the patient.

Even though euthanasia helps people avoid pain they experience, end-of-life situations have helped individuals to face a peaceful and dignified death. It has also reduced the burden imposed on caregivers and decreased medical bills. It is important for states and countries to consider this request by stating requirements for either active or passive euthanasia to help terminally ill patients. However, if the case is illegal and termed as a murder, appropriate measures must be taken determining the moral of the action of euthanasia. In cases like the one of Winifred, assisted death with dignity should be allowed for the condition does not burden the patient and the family. However, if the case is illegal and termed as a murder, appropriate measures must be taken determining the moral of the action of euthanasia. In cases like the one of Winifred, assisted death with dignity should be allowed for the condition does not burden the patient and the family