DISCUSSION 1 - The two sides of moral, ethical, and legal debates over death with dignity are right versus wrong. One side believes ending life on purpose is suicidal and murderous. They also think that ending a life too soon means killing that person. On the other hand, a terminally ill person knows they will die no matter what and wants the option of ending their life before it becomes excruciatingly painful for them (Lee, 2015). The families have said the moral reasons behind death with dignity are taking some control back, fear of pain, loss of dignity, and wanting to die around loved ones (Lee, 2014). When we allow terminally ill people to die with dignity in the way they want, meaning the right place, time, and manner, we respect their right to autonomy (Lee, 2014). On the unethical side, people believe that if this pill is legalized, people will abuse it and pressure doctors to prescribe it without being terminally ill. The legal and ethical debate is if a person is dying and their pain can not be controlled by medication, then it is cruel to force that person to live; people should decide for themselves how to conduct their lives and how they die if they are terminally ill (Steinbock & Pratt, 1997). The other side of ethical and legal DWD is killing is wrong; doctors involved in DWD corrupt the doctor's integrity and the fear of people getting the DWD pill without being terminally ill (Steinbock & Pratt, 1997).

An alternative that could be offered if death with dignity could not be offered is homecare hospice. According to McManus (2012), hospice workers have been trained to manage emotions and help the patient and the family through this difficult time. Hospice workers undergo intense training to keep the patient as comfortable as possible while in the comfort of their own homes (McManus, 2012). When death with dignity is not offered, this would be a good alternative as it can help manage the person's pain levels far better than being prescribed medications by a doctor and sent home.

I would be for it in the instance of Brittney Maynard, who had terminal brain cancer. There was no cure for what she had, and the surgeries she tried failed, which left her with no hope. There are many other cases like Brittney Maynard who have discovered they have a terminal illness, and as the illness progresses, they will endure pain and loss of who they are. For example, the type of cancer Brittney had would cause her pain, blindness, seizures, loss of mobility, and brain function before dying (Lee, 2015). Watching a loved one endure unbearable pain from a terminal illness that has no cure can change anyone's mind surrounding death with dignity pill. It seems cruel to force that person to live, knowing that illness will take their life one way or another.

References

Steinbock, B., & Pratt, D. A. (1997). Death With Dignity or Unlawful Killing: The Ethical and Legal Debate Over Physician-Assisted Death. Office of Justice Programs. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/death-dignity-or-unlawful-killing-ethical-and-legal-debate-over

Lee, B. C. (2015). Brittany Maynard's memory is helping us achieve death with dignityLinks to an external site. Time.com, N.PAG.

Lee, B. C. (2014). Oregon's experience with aid in dying: Findings from the death with dignity laboratoryLinks to an external site. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1330(1), 94- 100. doi:10.1111/nyas.12486

McManus, R. (2012). Culture, death, and dying with dignityLinks to an external site.. Health Sociology Review, 21(4), 370-372.

RESPONSE: Agree with DISCUSSION 1 and offer additional (new) supporting information for consideration.

DISCUSSION 2 Numerous individuals support the Death with Dignity Act of Oregon. Many desire the freedom of deciding how and when to pass away, especially if they believe they have lost their dignity and can no longer enjoy life (Lee, 2014). Many people with fatal illnesses ask medical professionals for prescribed medications to help them pass with dignity (Lee, 2014). However, several medical professionals oppose the Death with Dignity Act. Many medical professionals think that when providing care at the end of life, physicians should not put someone's life to an end (Sulmasy and Mueller, 2017). It is unethical to take a life, even though doctors should lessen the discomfort for people nearing the end of their lives (Sulmasy & Mueller, 2017).

Managing pain and deciding to forego life-saving procedures are alternatives to dying with dignity (Kelly, 1995). An individual nearing death may live comfortably through effective treatment of pain. Effective pain management will not cause the end of life. According to Kelly (1995), it is morally right and legal to refuse life-saving measures when a patient requests it (Kelly, 1995). The person being treated is not attempting suicide; instead, the individual has refused life-extending medical care.

The act of suicide, whether it be assisted or not, makes me uncomfortable. In contrast, death with dignity is very different, in my opinion. I would struggle with directly aiding a patient with this type of death. However, it would be difficult for me to resist the need to assist a dying patient suffering from severe pain. We question if having a terminal illness that cannot be cured is sufficient justification for allowing a dignified death. Or evaluate whether it is moral to let a patient die with dignity if they are not in pain. It was predicted that Brittany Maynard, who had brain cancer, would soon start having headaches, seizures, and loss of motor and mental function (Lee, 2015). I support her and the physician's decision to die dignifiedly. She was permitted to pass away gracefully and surrounded by those she loved. Living the rest of the life you have left when terminally ill, experiencing seizures, and loss of essential functions would not be dignified. My father is currently 90 years old. He has expressed to me that he wishes he were dead. When I asked him why, he told me it was because he could not do the things he used to, and he is just tired of living, he does not feel the independence he once did. Although he has not mentioned anything about death with dignity, I understand how and why he feels that way.

References

Kelly, D. (1995). Alternatives to physician-assisted suicide. American Journal of Otolaryngology, 16(3) p.181-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/0196-0709(95)90099-3Links to an external site.

Lee, B. C. (2015). Brittany Maynard's memory is helping us achieve death with dignity. Time.Com, N.PAG. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=100776223&site=ehost-live&scope=siteLinks to an external site.

Lee, B. C. (2014). Oregon's experience with aid in dying: Findings from the death with dignity laboratory. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1330(1), 94- 100. doi:10.1111/nyas.12486

Sulmasy, S. and Mueller P. (2017). For the ethics, professionalism and human rights committee of the American College of Physicians. Ethics and the legalization of physician-assisted suicide: An American College of Physicians Position Paper. Ann Intern Med. 167:576-578. doi: 10.7326/M17-0938

RSPONSE- Expand on your colleague's posting by offering a new perspective or insight.

PLEASE LABEL AND RESPOND SEPARATELY