...Public Policy: An Argument Against Legalisation John Keown Frontmatter More information EUTHANASIA, ETHICS AND PUBLIC POLICY An Argument against Legalisation Whether the law should permit voluntary euthanasia or physicianassisted suicide is one of the most vital questions facing all modern societies. Internationally, the main obstacle to legalisation has proved to be the objection that, even if they were morally acceptable in certain hard cases, voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide could not be effectively controlled; society would slide down a slippery slope to the killing of patients who did not make a free and informed request, or for whom palliative care would have offered an alternative. How cogent is this objection? This book provides the general reader (who need have no expertise in philosophy, law or medicine) with a lucid introduction to this central question in the debate, not least by reviewing the Dutch euthanasia experience. It will interest readers in any country, whether for or against legalisation, who wish to ensure that their opinions are better informed. john keown is Senior Lecturer in the Law and Ethics of Medicine, Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge. His previous publications include Abortion, Doctors and the Law (1988) and Euthanasia Examined (1995). © Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 0521804167 - Euthanasia, Ethics and Public Policy: An Argument Against Legalisation John Keown Frontmatter...
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...Active voluntary euthanasia refers to the assisted taking of a person's life, where they are physically unable to take their own life and where they are able to give full consent with a sound mind. in fact the vast majority, of suicide attempts or intended suicide where the patient should be helped to overcome the problems they are suffering and which leave them feeling that suicide is their last option. These patients are NOT cases for legal active voluntary euthanasia. However, suicide is not a criminal offence. This means if someone wishes to take their own life they are legally permitted to do so. This does not allow for equality for a person who is physically incapable of taking their own life. Active voluntary euthanasia ensures that these physically deprived people have equal access to their life or death choices. The Hippocratic Oath It is the duty of physicians to protect life and allowing active voluntary euthanasia could undermine this and cause confusion with regards to the role of a physician and the oath that they work to uphold. However, legalising active voluntary euthanasia does not imply that it becomes a decision to be taken lightly. It assumes that the patient is fully informed of his/her medical condition, prognosis and all available treatments, including alternative remedies and therapies. The patient must also be committed to euthanasia which could be tested by leaving a time period between the initial decision and the act itself to allow them to carefully...
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...regarding the care of an individual patient but also an ethics of having a specific social approach and convention. Through this article I have presented my thoughts about legalizing euthanasia. Euthanasia Introduction Death and dying are issues of deep humane concern for many people in a variety of circumstances and contexts. Around the world the point of someone’s death is regularly prominence by medical end-of-life decisions. These decisions refer to a variety of choices with regard to withholding or withdrawing life sustaining treatments. Debates on voluntary or active euthanasia, in all its aspect, proceed without a solution or prospect of resolution. Since there is no substantial middle ground on which all can agree, the discussion does not progress far beyond an exchange of opinions, however well informed the participants. The arguments for euthanasia have to do with quality of life and respect for autonomy .Arguments against euthanasia have to do with non-maleficence, sanctity of life, and the notion of the slippery slope. Definitions of Euthanasia “Euthanasia is defined as act of administering medication or performing other interventions with the intention of causing a patient's death” (Asch, 1996, p. 1374). “Euthanasia is the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit” (Goel, 2008, p. 226). Legalizing Euthanasia Survival is undoubtedly valuable but some time and in certain condition life becomes painful and suffering...
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...ending his patient’s life without the patient’s consent. However, euthanasia and assisted suicide is forbidden in the majority of countries and could be penalized by a fourteen years prison sentence. (“Euthanasia and assisted, intro”). Legalizing euthanasia is extremely controversial moral and legal issue throughout the world, but achieving that goal is extremely necessary. Although legalizing euthanasia could cause negative effects for society, the positive side of this controversy indicates that asking for death is important for those patients who have decided that after a certain point, the pain has exceeded the desire of living. On the one hand opponents of euthanasia have three main arguments against the practice: medical ethics, alternative solutions, and unintended consequences argument. First, according to the International Code of Medical Ethics, the most important medical ethics is that “A doctor must always bear in mind the obligation of preserving human life from conception” (World Medical Association, 1949). If doctors quit...
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...Euthanasia Legislation surrounding both euthanasia and assisted suicide sparks much debate in Queensland’s legal and political systems. Despite a society largely proponents of euthanasia, political and legislative institutions rear firm in their stance against its legalisation. It is evident that as a society progresses, so too do the ideological views of those within; so why is it that Queensland legislators have done nothing in the way of legalising euthanasia? Much of this notion can be attributed to a mere political debate; however, euthanasia and assisted suicide are extremely controversial and in order to delve deep enough into the issue, the religious, legal, cultural, ethical and medical ramifications need to be explored. Often referred to as ‘mercy killing,’ euthanasia is defined as the ‘deliberate causing of death of a person suffering from an incurable disease or condition.’ (‘Euthanasia’ 2009) Although advocators see it as a way to relieve immense pain and suffering, many see euthanasia not as a ‘right to die’ but as a ‘right to kill’- ultimately ‘weakening society’s respect for the sanctity of life.’ (‘BBC’, 2013) In recent years, state and commonwealth governments have made significant changes and reforms to euthanasia law, although the effectiveness and validity of such changes are somewhat questionable. The purpose of this essay is to address the legal principles and relevant legislation regarding euthanasia, any issues surrounding the efficacy of such law...
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...letting someone die) is not morally wrong and that active euthanasia (i.e. accelerating their death) is no less moral. However, the many complications associated with the legalisation of active euthanasia (and euthanasia in general) must be identified and addressed. These identified complications may be eliminated with an appropriate regulatory regime. Assuming that identified complications can be overcome, and having established that it is not always morally worse to kill than to let die, it will be demonstrated that active euthanasia should not be banned. Morality, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is “principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behaviour”1. Hinde states that the principles are influenced and changed by one’s society and culture but also “based in human nature”2. As morality is influenced by society, public opinion is important when it comes to controversial issues. Morality differs from place to place and evolves over time. To compound this diversity, changes in medical treatment, and discoveries which enhance medical knowledge evolves rapidly and what was not even conceivable in some cultures or at certain points in history are now commonly accepted. Developments in end of life care fall within this category. With our increased ability to prolong life, arguments can now be made in favour of moral killings. Similarly, since morality is intuitive in nature, it exists outside of law. However, “many laws are formalizations of moral...
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...social policy of the Australian government concerning the aboriginal population of the Northern Territory. The legislation was based upon the little children are sacred article in 2007 which was caused from having serious sexual abuse problems of woman and children in the aboriginal community despite the fact that 6 months after the legislation was passed no new community-based services had been put into place to ensure the safety of children had been established, and 12 months after the legislation had been in place convictions of child sex abuse had increased before the intervention. The 'Stronger Futures' package was launched on the 29th of June, 2012. In which the government has now extended the bill until 2022 despite the many protests against it. The Australian government has claimed that the intervention is necessary in order to protect children and woman, the intervention is the wrong answer and believes that the governments approach of imposing its policies on the indigenous communities should be abandoned in favour of a new way forward, this is also supported by Amnesty International. The policy intends to address key issues that exist within aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory, such as un employment, school enrolment and attendance, alcohol and substance abuse, community safety and child protection, food security, welfare payments, and housing and land reforms. A key legal of the current law is regarding the fact it violates stakeholder rights and perspectives...
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...Death with Dignity If we assume that every human being born into this world has a "right to life," then it logically follows that every human being has a right to end their life (or a "right to die"). Because death is a part of life, a person's right to life logically assumes a right to not have that life. Thus, any law upholding a person's right to life has inherent within that same law a person's right to die, otherwise it would not be a right to life in the true sense of the term. But there is a legal battle going on in America right now over whether or not a person has a right to die. Does the government have the right to prolong your life by artificial means whether you desire it or not? With the passing of this law nationwide, you, as the voter will simply be saying, “It is YOUR choice” (Patashnik, 2004) The issue of “Having a Personal Right to Die,” has been long simmered beneath the surface in legal and political circles: under what circumstances do terminally injured and ill Americans have the right to choose to die? The Supreme Court made a definitive statement in the landmark 1990 case Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Dept. of Health that severely injured patients have a constitutional right to refuse medical treatment and die. But the court also ruled that states can require "clear and convincing" evidence of a patient's intent to forgo medical treatment, a rather high evidentiary standard to meet. History The actual word for “having a right to die” is Euthanasia...
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...1.1 Describe the internal and external factors that impact on the employment relationship When an employee starts a new company, there are several external and internal factors that impact on the employment relationship. Relationships affect both management and worker’s performance. The quality of these relationships have an effect on the organisation. Human Resources, focuses on recruiting new employees and managing existing workers, plays a significant role in employment relationships as do several additional internal and external factors. Listed below are a couple of Internal and external Factors that may affect the employee’s relationship. Internal Factor-Conflict: Conflict exists in every organisation, and to a certain degree indicates a healthy exchange of ideas, opinions and creativity. However, some conflicts may arise where the employee is not satisfied with how a certain situation has been dealt with or how they have been treated. Managers may have not tackled matters in a systematic or careful manner which has resulted in employee dissatisfaction, absenteeism, poor customer service, increased work related stress or, worse case scenario litigation on claims of harassment or a hostile work environment. Internal Factor-Change in Management: Many organisations will replace managers this can be due to retirement, promotion, career change, transfer or dismissal. Each new manager will bring their own style and ideas of working in an organisation. The relationship...
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... Badr Naga., MSN, RN, Prince Sultan Cardiac Center in Qassim, Saudi Arabia (2) Majd T. Mrayyan., Prof, RN, The Hashemite University, Jordan Correspondence: Bilal S. H. Badr Naga., MSN, RN, Prince Sultan Cardiac Center in Qassim, Saudi Arabia Email: Bilal_badrnaga@yahoo.com Case scenario Abstract Euthanasia is one of the issues that has been the subject of intense debate over time. It has been a pertinent issue in human rights discourse as it also affects ethical and legal issues pertaining to patients and health care providers. This paper discusses the legal and ethical debates concerning both types of euthanasia. It focuses on both the supporter of euthanasia and the opponent of euthanasia. Several statements for the Euthanasia argument arediscussed: a merciful response that alleviates the suffering of patients which is sometimes wrongly perceived to be otherwise unrelievable; the autonomy in which the patient has the right to make his own choices; the regulation and legislation of existing practices of euthanasia to protect health care providers and patients. In this heated debate religious, political, ethical, legal and personal views are also included. Among all these, those who desperately want to end their lives because they simply cannot go on in any way, are the ones who suffer. Every individual or group has a different viewpoint regarding euthanasia. Euthanasia is considered a practical, emotional, and religious debate. Key words: euthanasia, palliative care, type...
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...College, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies Religious Studies AS Level Edexcel Unit 2: Investigations Abortion A study guide and anthology Contents Introduction A modern controversy: the case of George Tiller (BBC) p. 3 Definitions and technical language p. 6 Methods used p. 7 Family Planning Association fact sheet p. 8 Religion and the Sanctity of Life The Sanctity of Life p. 12 A critique of the Sanctity of Life: Jonathan Glover p. 14 Christian perspectives: Methodists and Catholics p. 16 ‘Ensoulment’, soul, and the sacredness of life p. 18 Religious views in conflict: liberalism and conservatism p. 19 Philosophical Problems in Abortion An argument against abortion p. 20 Personhood p. 21 A ‘person’ as rational and self-conscious: Peter Singer p. 24 Moral rights: the foetus and the mother p. 26 A woman’s right to an abortion: Judith Jarvis Thomson p. 28 ‘Why abortion is immoral’: Don Marquis p. 29 Anthology of Texts Unit 2 model answers: ethics (Edexcel) ‘Why abortion challenges us all’: Rowan Williams ‘Contraception and abortion within Protestant Christianity’: Gloria Albrecht ‘Virtue theory and abortion’: Rosalind Hursthouse Appendix: sample exam questions and level descriptors Notes Pages A Modern Controversy: the Case of George Tiller Profile: George Tiller (2009) To some anti-abortionists George Tiller, who was shot dead...
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...Anthropology Lecture 1 introduction Common Misconceptions with Drugs . The effect of a drug is caused solely by its pharmacological properties and effects. . Some drugs are instantly addictive . The gateway/ stepping stone theory - the use of 1 drug leads to the use of other more dangerous drugs What are drugs ? Krivanek's definition : Drugs are substances that are introduced into the body knowingly but not as food. Therefore illicit drugs, legal recreational drugs and legal but regulated pharmaceutical drugs that aren't recreational at all. - Whether if a drug is considered bad and is prohibited depends on the culture of the society in a particular period. What is culture ? The definition of culture = Through Roger keesing and Andrew Strathern's definition it is a system of shared ideas, rules and meanings that underlie and are expressed in the ways that human live. - This includes : law, beliefs, political economy, media and popular culture - this perceives ideas about what is normal and abnormal to society. " Culture is always changing and contested, not unified" Enthography as a method for studying drug use It is a process of observing, recoding and describing other peoples way of life through intimate participation the community being studied". - Participation observation, involving yourself in the life of the community , taking up the life of the other person, observing their actions, asking questions and learning what questions...
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...R outledge Revision: Questions & Answers Jurisprudence 2011–2012 Each Routledge Q&A contains approximately 50 questions on topics commonly found on exam papers, with answer plans and comprehensive suggested answers. Each book also offers valuable advice as to how to approach and tackle exam questions and how to focus your revision effectively. New Aim Higher and Common Pitfalls boxes will also help you to identify how to go that little bit further in order to get the very best marks and highlight areas of confusion. And now there are further opportunities to hone and perfect your exam technique online. New editions publishing in 2011: Civil Liberties & Human Rights Commercial Law Company Law Constitutional & Administrative Law Contract Law Criminal Law Employment Law English Legal System Routledge Q&A series Equity & Trusts European Union Law Evidence Family Law Jurisprudence Land Law Medical Law Torts For a full listing, visit http://www.routledge.com/textbooks/revision R outledge Revision: Questions & Answers Jurisprudence 2011–2012 David Brooke Senior Lecturer in Law and Module Leader in Jurisprudence at Leeds Metropolitan University Fifth edition published 2011 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN Simultaneously published in the U S A and Canada by Routledge 270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2011...
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... [4] has once again entered the debate on legality of the Live-in Relationship as well as legitimacy of Child born out of such relationship. The Court while dismissing the appeal in the property dispute held that there is a presumption of marriage between those who are in live-in relationship for a long time and this cannot be termed as 'walking-in and walking-out' relationship. In the case of Bharata Matha & Ors v. R. Vijaya Renganathan & Ors. [5]dealing with the legitimacy of child born out of a live-in relationship and his succession of property rights, the Supreme Court held that child born out of a live-in relationship may be allowed to succeed inheritance in the property of the parents, if any, but doesn't have any claim as against Hindu ancestral coparcenary property. The Delhi High Court in its decision on 10 August 2010, in Alok Kumar v. State & Anr[6] while dealing with the validity of live in relationship held that "‘Live-in relationship’ is a walk-in and walk-out...
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...ZKD Veröffentlichungsreihe der Forschungsgruppe „Zivilgesellschaft, Citizenship und politische Mobilisierung in Europa“ Schwerpunkt Zivilgesellschaft, Konflikte und Demokratie Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung ZCM Agnes Arndt / Dariusz Gawin Discourses on Civil Society in Poland Agnes Arndt: Premises and Paradoxes in the Development of the Civil Society Concept in Poland Dariusz Gawin: Civil Society Discourse in Poland in the 1970s and 1980s Discussion Paper Nr. SP IV 2008-402 ISSN 1860-4315 Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung gGmbH Social Science Research Center Berlin Reichpietschufer 50, 10785 Berlin Federal Republic of Germany Telefon: +49/30/25491-0 Telefax: +49/30/25491-684 E-Mail: wzb@wz-berlin.de Internet: http://www.wz-berlin.de Agnes Arndt ist Historikerin. Sie ist Promotionsstipendiatin der Gerda Henkel Stiftung am Berliner Kolleg für Vergleichende Geschichte Europas“ an der Freien Universität Berlin sowie Gastwissenschaftlerin der Forschungsgruppe „Zivilgesellschaft, Citizenship und politische Mobilisierung in Europa“. Agnes Arndt is Historian. She is PhD fellow at the “Berlin School for Comparative European History” at the Free University Berlin and associated research fellow of the research group “Civil Society, Citizenship and Political Mobilization in Europe". Dariusz Gawin ist Direktor am Museum des Warschauer Aufstands in Warschau. Dariusz Gawin is director at the Warsaw Rising Museum, Warsaw. Zitierweise: Agnes...
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