Sunday, November 15, 2015

Blog Post #5



                                            Death with Dignity Act


Thesis statement: Every Terminally ill patient should have the right to die with dignity and in peace.
      I.        What is the Death with Dignity Act?

A.   Allows terminally ill patients to be prescribed lethal medication as an aid in dying.
    II.        What is the process in becoming a Death with Dignity Act candidate?
A.   Must be diagnosed by two doctors to have 6 months or less to live.
B.   Candidate must be competent and receive a mental health evaluation.
C.   Reside in a state that offers assisted suicide.
   III.        What states have passed the Death with Dignity Act?
A.   Oregon
B.   Washington
C.   Vermont
  IV.        How terminally ill patients view Physician assisted suicide.
A.   Promotes human dignity
B.   Pain free death
C.   Loved ones by their side
D.   Dying on their terms
E.   Not having to experience the loss of bodily functions, or the basic body functions
F.    Not falling into a comatose state, which has other risks (bed sores ect.)
G.   Not being dependent on caregiver/family
   V.        Opponents of the Death with Dignity act.
A.   Feels it devalues human life.
B.   Feel it’s an easy way out.
C.   Believes they should make use of nursing homes.
D.   Heavily medicate to attempt to keep patient comfortable.
E.   Fear people will abuse it
F.    Fear the lower class will resort to it due to financial issues.
Conclusion: The Death with Dignity Act promotes human dignity for terminally ill patients. It gives them the ability to have control over their final days/ months of life. They know soon they will not be able to enjoy things they once enjoyed doing. More than likely they will be dependent on a caregiver, and in time will no longer be able to do the basics of life. Physician assisted suicide should be considered a positive resource for terminally ill patients, rather than an easy way out. They have the right to die peacefully on their terms surrounded by the ones they love.

I commented on Monica's blog and Brittany's blog.

2 comments:

  1. Nice outline, Ashley. I will be interested to see your research, as you work through this draft. Of course, I am assuming you'll make the conclusion much stronger, but this is an excellent overview of your paper.

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  2. Definitely a thorough job on the outline. I could learn a thing or two from you. Good job, looks like your going to have a strong paper. Kind of a different approach of a topic but something interesting to learn about also.

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