Death with Dignity

Euthanasia Definition: The painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease in an irreversible coma. The practice is illegal in most countries. Death with Dignity movements are meant to provide legal ways for terminally ill people to end their lives by ingesting a mixture of lethal drugs. It is currently illegal in most of the United States, but several states do allow physicians to write prescriptions for lethal drugs.

Questions Society does not have a problem when dogs and cats are euthanized due to injury or illness, but when the same questions is brought to humans there are two major questions: 1- Should people have a choice to end their lives, particularly in cases of terminal injury and illness? 2- Can the Government get involved in American’s making personal decisions about their bodies? (Roe v Wade says NO)

History Over the years there have been several high profile cases that bring this topic back into the nation’s focus and attention. However, Americans have generally supported Right to Die legislation, averaging above 70%. Despite this high approval rating, very few states have Right to Die, or Death with dignity laws. Additionally, depending on how a survey question is phrased, the respondents answer differently. Key words/terms: -Physician assisted death– help at the hands of a physician to end life -Self induced death- patients end their own lives with prescribed drugs -Right to Life- opponents of Death with Dignity -Euthanasia- end life in terminally ill or injured patients -Permenent Vegetative State- patient can awake but is not conscious -Brain Dead- Patient will not awaken nor regain consciousness

Dr. Kevorkian- Dr. Death In the 1990s Dr. Jack Kevorkian assisted in the deaths of more than 100 terminally ill people, especially the elderly. After years of court decisions and appeals Kevorkian was convicted for a second degree murder charge, but was only sentenced to 8 years in Kevorkian’s actions sparked the national debate on the morality of euthanasia and hospice care. He died in Thanatron- Instrument of Death

Terri Shiavo In 1990 a young, healthy woman collapsed in her home after suffering a heart attack. The heart attack caused a lack of oxygen to the brain. The doctors tried everything, but after a coma she was declared to be in a “permanent vegetative state”. While she was awake, she was not conscious of her actions. By 1998 her husband began asking the courts to remove her feeding tube. While the courts sided with her husband, Terri’s family fought the decisions. After dozens of appeals and political interventions Terri was permanently taken off the feeding tube in 2005 and she passed on March 31, 2005 (11 years ago)

Brittany Maynard The most recent national Death with Dignity advocate was Brittany Maynard. She became famous after announcing plans to use medication to end her own life before her terminal brain cancer could kill her. Many people believe Brittany Maynard demonstrates an excellent example of why Death with dignity is a necessary right for Americans.

Jahi McMath’s and Bobbi Kristina Brown In recent years there are a number of cases where people in comas and permanent vegetative states are being kept alive despite doctors reports verifying a lack of brain activity. Jahi McMath has been in a coma since having her tonsils removed in a complication during surgery caused irreversible damage to her left brain, and she is now considered brain dead. When doctors recommended taking Jahi off machines keeping her alive and donating her organs, Jahi’s mother used legal means to have her daughter taken out of the hospital and placed under hospice care. To date, Jahi has never woken up or shown significant improvement. Bobbi Kristina Brown was found unresponsive in a bathtub in January Though doctors were able to save her life, there was extensive damage to her brain, and she was placed on life support. She passed away in July 2015, though the autopsy has not been released to the public.

Political interventions and actions Often times the American people get absorbed into the lives of people dying, either through Death with Dignity or by slowly perishing from vegetative states. Often times politicians have gotten involved, usually on the pro-life side. For instance, Jeb Bush intervened in the Terri Shiavo case and forced the doctors to put her feeding tube back in. These interventions bring to mind a vital question, Can the government tell Americans how to life and die? Or does our right to Life, Liberty and Property supersede government intervention and allow Americans a chance to decide for themselves?

Death Panels As part of the Obamacare, or Affordable Care Act, the politicians fought over end-of-life consultations to help control health care costs. Nearly 28%, or $170 Billion, of Medicare expenses are spent on only the last 6 months of life.

Current DWD States

Task 1)In your opinion, does the Government have a right in determining how people live and die? (“All men are created equal and have certain inalienable rights… life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…”) EXPLAIN 2)Do you think terminally ill patients should have access to self inducing their deaths? EXPLAIN why or why not. 3)Where do you stand in the Pro-life/ Pro-Choice debate? Is this in line with your beliefs for Death with Dignity or different? EXPLAIN EXPLAIN means ‘make clear to someone by describing in great detail and revealing relevant facts or ideas.

Debate