under what conditions is a physician obligated to deny this request and what circumstances require a physician to agree to help a patient die?
2007-03-15 17:46:47 · 10 answers · asked by ? 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
What ethical problems could arise if a physician assisted in the death of a patient that requested it?
2007-03-15 18:06:45 · update #1
Natural instinct leads us to preserve all life. So, the requests for death should be denied.
2007-03-15 17:52:56 · answer #1 · answered by demonsheep87 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A patient always has that right. However, a physician is obligated to refuse this request every single time. This is if the patient is asking for help to committ suicide, But, they can sign a Do Not Rescussitate order in the case of religious beliefs, terminal illness and a slew of other reasons.
2007-03-16 00:53:13 · answer #2 · answered by zebj25 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In most U.S. states, aiding in a suicide is a crime. The state of Oregon is the only state that currently has legalized physician assisted suicide.
Internationally, physician assisted suicide is legal in only two countries: The Netherlands and Switzerland.
A concise summary of the ethical implications of euthanasia can be found here: http://www.rsrevision.com/Alevel/ethics/euthanasia/ethics.htm
2007-03-16 01:09:02 · answer #3 · answered by greymatter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have the right to request a DNR. "do not resuscitate"
To help you die...Maybe some Dr. may take pity, if you have no chance of/or surviving.
Otherwise a physician has a moral code to stand by.
2007-03-16 01:40:54 · answer #4 · answered by oldster 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO.Unless you are talking about a DNR or Do Not Resuscitate order. If you prepare a DNR, and your situation becomes grave, the DNR order will take effect and the doctors will not attempt to revive you if you go into cardiac arrest.
Other than you're explicit legally generated permission to not resuscitate, it is illegal for doctors to assist suicide or to allow you to die.
2007-03-16 01:09:02 · answer #5 · answered by Tellin' U Da Truth! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Physicians swear not to cause harm to any person under their care.
To assist in a person's suicide would be to cause them harm.
2007-03-16 00:54:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the US, there is no "right to die." The Supreme Court has not found this right in the Constitution. To avoid murder charges or eithical problems, a doctor should always refuse to let a patient die.
2007-03-16 00:59:29 · answer #7 · answered by EthanHunt 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
the request should always be denied, A physician should "do no harm"
2007-03-16 00:50:53 · answer #8 · answered by lethander_99 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not in most jurisdictions. Maybe in Oregon.
2007-03-16 02:29:52 · answer #9 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think there is only one state that allows assisted suicide and that is Washington state.
http://www.lycos.com/info/assisted-suicide--united-states.html
2007-03-16 00:55:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋