Title: Differences Between Passive and Active Euthanasia - Law Essays
Headings: Differences Between Passive and Active Euthanasia
Differences Between Passive and Active Euthanasia
Content: In most countries, including the United States, there is a shortage of heath resources and health care providers as well as inadequate funding for palliative care and pain management. Access to speedy and cost effective methods is limited but what limited amount of resources we have are used for incurable or untreatable patients that may in fact prefer not to continue on (Ethics, 2012). A sense of fear is created due to the cost of aid-in-dying being more affordable than seeking assistance to be treated; a fear that can turn to a fear of being a financial burden on loved ones (Life, 2011). Religious and Cultural Beliefs of Living and Dying
A large complication of religious factors is due to the intrinsic value of a life that is given by God with the view that any type of suicide or “cop out” may be deemed a sin. Such principles should not be acknowledged in order to dictate every person’s life (Duvnjak, 2012 ). Religions have emotions directly attached to a loved one or situation impairs an accurate means to evaluating such a concern. Some coma patients are kept sustained in hopes of recovery, out of guilt, or selfishness of family that decides the patient’s wishes are wrong; others focus on letting the patient go in respect of their wishes. In Karen Quinlan’s case, a woman was in a coma with her breathing being maintained by the use of a respirator, her parents fought to “pull the plug” on the respirator.