PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE
COMPASSION? OR MURDER?
"Among doctors in general, I think more than half support what I'm doing. "
Jack Kevorkian
EUTHANASIA, "ACTIVE" AND "PASSIVE"
As we approach the end of our end of life unit, from the medical professional point of view do you see any difference between a patient dying from the removal of a feeding tube and dying from an overdose of morphine? Can you conceive that as a doctor you might do your patient a favor by helping them to die? Moreover, do you see any difference between "active" and "passive" euthanasia?
Does it trouble you that in the Netherlands euthanasia is currently legal and commonplace? That the voters in Oregon have approved a "right to die" law? Or does "dying with dignity" seem like common sense? A step forward, not backward? An essential affirmation of our humanity? Or a desecration of it?
Is it possible that it might be both?
One's death, and the taking of a human life: a large issue, both philosophically and legally. What do you think?
After having looked at this dilemma from a variety of perspectives, what is your opinion so far?
EUTHANASIA, IN THE ARTS AND THE REAL THING:
- "Read me to sleep." (44.7 mb) from The English Patient
- Dr. September 17, 1998: Dr. Kevorkian and Thomas Youk (21.1 mb)
This blogsite posting will come due on Monday morning October 15th, 2007 at 8:00 a.m.
"Read to me."
