Abortion and
Euthanasia
Problems/Case
Studies
"Kate-Tastrophy: A Case Study in
Brain Death". Rosemary Martin, Australian National
University. State University of New York at Buffalo’s National
Center for Case Study Teaching.
In this interrupted case, students
examine the concept of unconsciousness and develop an
understanding of how clinicians diagnose death. Developed for a
freshman course in human biology, the case focuses on brain death
but raises related issues, including organ donation.
With some modifications, the
case could be used in a neurobiology or psychology course, or in
a philosophy or ethics course.
Articles
Articles
filed in resource cabinet by subject heading and topic outside
SCIC #
“Katrina doctors
with dying patients face euthanasia issues”. Tammeus,
Bill.
Post and Courier, Friday, October
14, 2005.
Active euthanasia, causing the
death of a terminally ill patient in the least harm-provoking way
as possible, was performed in the wake of hurricane Katrina.
Euthanasia is illegal in Louisiana, yet medical caretakers proclaim
compassion as the motivation for the ending of lives.
Articles in "Taking Sides"
"Should Physicians Be Allowed to
Assist in Patient Suicide?" Levine, Carol. Taking Sides: Bioethical
Issues, eleventh edition.
Issue Summary:
- YES: Physician Marcia Angell asserts that a physician's
main duties are to respect patient autonomy and to relieve
suffering, even if that sometimes means assisting in a patient's
death. (from "The Supreme Court and Physician-Assisted Suicide -
The Ultimate Right", The New
England Journal of Medicine, January 2, 1997 ).
- NO: Physician Kathleen M. Foley counters that if
physician-assisted suicide becomes legal, it will begin to
substitute for interventions that otherwise might enhance the
quality of life for dying patients. (from "Competent Care for
the Dying Instead of Physician-Assisted Suicide", The New England Journal of
Medicine, January 2, 1997)
"Should Doctors Be Able to Refuse
Demands for "Futile" Treatment?" Levine, Carol. Taking Sides: Bioethical
Issues, eleventh edition.
Issue Summary:
- YES: Physician Steven H. Miles maintains that physicians' duty
to follow patients' wishes ends when the requests are
inconsistent with what medical care can reasonably be expected
to achieve, when they violate community standards of care, and
when they consume and unfair share of collective resources.
(from "Informed Demand for 'Non-Beneficial' Medical Treatment", The New England Journal of
Medicine, August 15, 1991).
- NO: Philosopher Felicia Ackerman contends that it is ethically
inappropriate for physicians to decide what kind of life is
worth prolonging and that decisions involving personal values
should be made by the patient or family. (from "The Significance
of a Wish", Hastings Center
Report, July - August 1991)