A death of ones own

A Death of One’s Own: Ethical Theories On Assisted Suicide
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A Death of One Own: Ethical Theories On Assisted Suicide
Assisted suicide involves the intentional act of consent killing of a person with the lethal knowledge of the action aided by someone else or a physician. The Common Law in several countries including the United States of America prohibits this act regarding it to deprive the right to live (Poma et al., 2014). However, some states in the United States such as the Oregon, California, Washington, Vermont, Colorado, and Montana, have authorized the medically aided suicide of people. In this aspect, these states distinguish the act legal if it is medically supported suicide. This case allowed life termination of a patient with miserable illness and expected not to live beyond six months. Other countries endorsing the medically assisted suicide include; Belgium, Canada, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Luxembourg (Hurst & Mauron, 2016).
The issue has portrayed controversial opinions as to either support assisted suicide or abolish assisted suicide in the society. Several scholars and non-profit organizations such as Final Exit Network, Inc. and World Federation of Right to Die Societies have presented different ideology concerning the choices of assisted suicide with rational philosophies on the issue (Poma et al., 2014). The supporting argument involves the personal autonomy whereby medical decision depends on the individuals and relatives.

Therefore, the decision for physician-aided suicide by a person should be limited to interference from third parties in case the federal government supports this action (Hurst & Mauron, 2016). Second, certain circumstances, an individual may be going through prolonged illness. The patient is therefore advised to take the aided suicide option to shorten the burden on the suffering of pain and depression of person. Finally, the Economy theories support the assisted suicide will safeguard vulnerable populations whereby the legal law ensures an oversight on the eligible cases for a personal decision to protect the growing population (“Rubin, Assisted Suicide Morality and Law,” n.d). In this context, demand for services will decrease in the event of increase assisted suicide in a country triggering more changes in an economy.
On the contrary opinion, other scholars and Faith-Based Organizations such as the Catholic Church, Judaism among others present the view of abolishing aided suicides. The Roman Catholics argue that life is God-given gift and no person has the right to terminate life. The church further elaborates suicide act as a great sin against the commandment. The Judaism practice also presents no sanction for suicide even for ill cases of a person. The dignity value theory respects the concept of moral dignity and the care for a person who is dying. The intrinsic value of dignity involves the general emphasis on morals and the humanity action. According to the utilitarianism theory on Universalist, Immanuel Kant advocates for self-determination rather than death (as cited in Poma et al., 2014). This approach safeguards the honor of ill persons and to respect natural death rather than humanity supported action. Moreover, the medical ethics presents the professional act of a physician to through oath of professional services. All doctors are authorized to support human life and not to give any deadly medication to patients.
The Assisted suicide has been a controversial topic in the contemporary world across several sectors and states presenting the different opinion on the action. According to my view, I regard this issue as an illegal act that requires a keen and exceptional case to undertake the activity. Under acute medical suffering and illness of a patient, assisted suicide will reduce the burden of a person; this will involve the extensive talks with the close relatives of the patient. The film “A Death of One’s Own,” elaborates three individual life experience; Jim Witcher, Kitty Rail and Ricky. Jim Witcher diagnosed with ALS health deteriorated drastically and wished to live until his day of death. Another case is that of Kitty Rail diagnosed with cancer also died at her comfort whereby she wanted to live till her last day of life (“On Our Own Terms,” 2013). These two characters have lived a life of dignity respected by the morals and respect for humanity. The Utilitarian theory focuses on understanding universal respect which is the best dignity to humankind.

References
Hurst, S. & Mauron, A. (2016). Assisted Suicide in Switzerland: Clarifying Liberties and Claims. Bioethics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bioe.12304
On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dying in America. (2013). America.
Poma, S., Vicentini, S., Siviero, F., Grossi, A., Toniolo, E., Baldo, V., & Leo, D. (2014). The Opinions of GP’s Patients About Suicide, Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, and Suicide Prevention: An Italian Survey. Suicide And Life-Threatening Behavior, 45(4), 391-398. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12138
Rubin, E. Assisted Suicide, Morality and Law: Why Prohibiting Assisted Suicide Violates the Establishment Clause. SSRN Electronic Journal. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1546648