Quite frankly, I do not think that Canada discriminates on terms of who should practice Euthanasia but instead, the Canadian law is against the act of Euthanasia or physician assisted suicides itself. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss the basis on which I am against the act of euthanasia and bring into perspective of the moral theories that oppose assisted suicide. In Canada, suicide is not illegal but physician assisted suicide is as the criminal code states that “Everyone who counsels a person to commit suicide or aids or abets a person to commit suicide, whether suicide ensues or not, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years (241). I agree with Canada’s law because it prevents people who are not mentally capable of making their own decisions from being assisted in suicide as well as the value of a human being would decrease if active euthanasia were to be decriminalized. Many cases of active euthanasia have been reopened for debate on what Canada should consider morally acceptable in the terms of euthanasia. In terms of Kantianism, one should act according to a maxim that will become a universal law and one should always do the right thing regardless of the consequence (Fisher, 2009). The Canadian government in my point of view is following Kant’s perspective as they have made it illegal because it is the right thing to do no matter what the consequence may be. Utilitarianism takes the opposite approach that actions are based on the consequences (Fisher, 2009). With the aspect of euthanasia though, the consequences are different in everyone’s eyes. The person who wants to take part in active euthanasia perceives it to be positive because they will die with dignity, free of pain and not be a burden on the family. The physician performing the suicide could also be thinking that the consequences be positive because they are helping the patient end their misery as well as bringing their own moral ethics into the situation (Latimer, & McGregor, 1994) In certain provinces, as in Quebec’s physician code of ethics states “A physician must, when the death of a patient appears to him to be inevitable, act so that the death occurs with dignity. He must also ensure that the patient obtains the appropriate support and relief.”(58); although in the eyes of society as a whole, the act of killing yourself is immoral and the consequence of death due to suicide is seen as negative (Latimer, & McGregor, 1994).
Many people also look at the situation of legalized assisted suicide in Canada through a care ethics approach (Fisher, 2009). No matter how serious the illness, life is a gift and one must cherish it. The health care industry of Canada has also implemented other means where pain relief can be offered while being able to pass away in dignity. The concept that life is a gift is also understood in terms of disability ethics. Within the spectrum there is a division of people who are born with disabilities or develop them over time. Those who are born with disabilities haven’t experienced a life without it so they appreciate life for what they have but for those individuals who become disabled later on in their life, it is sometimes hard for them to live as they did before. I personally agree with Susan Wendell’s approach that “Healthy people with disabilities express gratitude for being healthy, people with chronic illnesses express gratitude for not having gotten sicker, and people with fluctuating chronic illnesses express gratitude for coming out of a relapse.” The law of Canada also abides through the eyes of multicultural ethics. Every community or religion has their own definition of what is considered moral or immoral (Latimer, & McGregor, 1994). Many belief systems would say that God has given you your soul and only God can take it away. If you have a illness, it is in your fate and you should be able to abide to it patiently. Euthanasia can be perceived differently within each scenario; either it be completely wrong to take one’s life or it is one’s autonomy to decide what they want to do with their own body and soul (Latimer, & McGregor, 1994).
There are many courage stories of people who live with ALS and have accepted the illness. One patient, Durwin Cadeau is 26 years old and has been diagnosed with ALS (Cadeau, 2010). Cadeau was known to be free spirited, had a passion for cars, has a baby boy, and an amazing family. He mentions that his pain is unbearable and he knows his disease is getting worse (Cadeau, 2010). Cadeau has his entire life to look forward to but won’t be able to see his son grow up or his sister get married, yet he still is holding on (Cadeau, 2010). He feels that God has another plan for him and he will see the rest of his family in heaven because that is the eternal life (Cadeau, 2010). In my perspective, the most difficult of illnesses are to those who are diagnosed at a young age, and if someone like him has the ability to pull through it then we should all have the strength to carry on.
As mentioned above, I do not think that the Canadian law has discriminated against women but it has set laws to make physician assisted suicide illegal as a whole. Majority of the cases in the courts are debated by women but there are also cases that are also reopened by men but not mentioned as much as it should be (Daigle, & Côté, 2006). Let’s take the case of Robert Latimer, he was charged with the death of his daughter Tracy Latimer because he could not stand her pain and allow her to undergo mutilation and torture (Fisher, 2009). Even though his intentions were motivated by his love for his daughter, he was still taken to court and given prison time. Through this we can see that it may not have been a plea for a physician assisted, but it is a case of active euthanasia. The difference in Latimer’s case was that as a father, he decided to take the life of his daughter which was a act of kindness on his part. Although we can question whether or not Tracy Latimer wanted to live but she did not have a say because she was deemed as incapable of making her own decisions. In my point of view, this is going against the child’s autonomy and her own rights. This is also why I agree with Canada’s law of active euthanasia or physician assisted suicide being illegal because not everyone is able to make proper decisions for themselves in times of grievance. Women are not the only gender that has experienced a negative response in the areas of euthanasia. I agree with Susan Wolf’s statement that over that years women have been seen as vulnerable, the primary caregivers and would be able to sacrifice their life for their family because they do not want to be a burden to them. I also agree that women are more likely to get diagnosed with a chronic disease than men are but I do not think that it makes it easier for women to have the duty to die (Kluge, 2000). Men are also the caregivers of the family but at the external level; they work hard to make money and provide for their families (Daigle, & Côté, 2006). They also have an emotional attachment to their wife and children so they are also capable of sacrificing their lives in terms of not becoming a burden (Daigle, & Côté, 2006). Wolf objects to the terms at which men and women ask for active euthanasia by mentioning that the problems are correlated with gender health issues. She explains that women have difficulty in receiving good medical care, have poor pain relief, higher incidence of depression as well as higher rate of poverty. Among those reasons, Wolf also argues that women attempt suicide in an effort to change an oppressive situation more than men do but women are considered “attempters” whereas men would be considered “completers” of suicide (Wolf, 2009). There are some areas where her claims of women wanting to take part in euthanasia more than men are not supported though. For example in Oregon USA, there is evidence that half the people who seek euthanasia are men, the other half are women and most of them tend to be Caucasian from the middle class sector (Wolf, 2009) .
I disagree with aspect that women are not given as good as medical care as men are. I believe that women are usually treated better than men especially in the Canadian health care system (Kluge, 2000). If a man and a woman were to enter the hospital with the same illness, the women would be looked after first because she is considered fragile whereas the man can find the strength to carry on longer. The concept of euthanasia can also be compared to the ethical and moral theories. A women may appeal to physician assisted suicide because she feels that she has the “right” to do what ever she pleases with her body. If she feels that by ending her life, she would be able to die with dignity then it is in her own autonomy to make that decision. Autonomy goes hand in hand with self determination as it entitles the patient to refuse unwanted life sustaining treatments (Callahan, 2009). Dr. Fraser, states “"I believe if someone wants to commit suicide [she has] a right to do it, but [she does] not have a right to expect me to perform it," (Kluge, 2000). Through this we can understand that it is in the patient’s full autonomy to reject a certain treatment but she does not have the right to ask a physician to assist her with suicide because it is not in the physician’s autonomy to do so (Kluge, 2000). Besides self autonomy, women tend to have the responsibility to care for their families and relationships. Most of the time, their decision to end life is based on the fact that she does not want to be a burden on her family and loved ones. This brings into perspective the ethics of care where the individual makes decisions based on selfless reasons and only to benefit the people around them. Even though the act of physician assisted suicide may be based on a completely selfless reason, the justice and law of Canada does not allow it. As earlier explained, the Canadian law takes the Kant approach and abides by the concept of “act only on that maxim that will become a universal law”. Another perspective that could tie in with a women's decision to take part in euthanasia is due to the social model of disability (Morris, 2001). The social environment seems to define what “disability” really means which is one of the factors to why individuals believe that there is no point of living if they cannot do anything (Morris, 2001). For instances if someone is in a wheelchair, it means they have limited accessibility compared to a person who is able to walk. Society has also come to define that any impairments of the body is a form of disability even if it’s for a short time being (Morris, 2001); as in, wearing a cast for a few weeks. When one has a disability or impairment of any sort, they start to be a burden on not only their loved ones but as well as the general public (Morris, 2001). If active euthanasia was to become legal it will send a message to those with disabilities, the vulnerable and the rest of the community that it is better to die instead of live with impairments. If this was to happen then the value of life would decrease. The test of patience and strength would be diminished as everyone would give up on the hope of getting better and decide that they are better to pass away then to live on.
The concept of Euthanasia and physician assisted suicide does not discriminate on the basis of women but it denies the right to everyone who resides in Canada. I think that it is immoral to take away a person’s life because it devalues the significance placed on life disregarding gender. If active euthanasia was to be made legal then the consideration of suicide would be increased and therefore decrease the value that has been placed on life and patients. Instead the focus should be placed on improving care no matter what the situation be. Government should invest in building a atmosphere to aid those who are disabled just like the families would need to change the environment in their homes as well. This would then change the perspective of the social model of disability to accept all impairments and disabilities as well as promote well being.
Now let's put ourselves in a situation of those who resort to any type of Euthanasia ( from a inside perspective):
How short is life
How long are we going to live?
I once was healthy, worked hard and cared for my children
But as my illness progresses, I feel helpless and weak,
They say I will not die soon,
But soon is an understatement,
I see my life passing me by,
And I do not understand why,
I beg for mercy and pray for a miracle,
There will come a day when I won’t be able to walk,
Won’t be able to properly talk,
My hands won’t be able to work
An intolerable burden to my loved ones,
That I cannot bear
And I ask for you to care,
My wish for when things get worse,
Is the choice to end my own source,
To pass away with peace and dignity,
I do not want to die,
But I have to.
Regards:
Many people also look at the situation of legalized assisted suicide in Canada through a care ethics approach (Fisher, 2009). No matter how serious the illness, life is a gift and one must cherish it. The health care industry of Canada has also implemented other means where pain relief can be offered while being able to pass away in dignity. The concept that life is a gift is also understood in terms of disability ethics. Within the spectrum there is a division of people who are born with disabilities or develop them over time. Those who are born with disabilities haven’t experienced a life without it so they appreciate life for what they have but for those individuals who become disabled later on in their life, it is sometimes hard for them to live as they did before. I personally agree with Susan Wendell’s approach that “Healthy people with disabilities express gratitude for being healthy, people with chronic illnesses express gratitude for not having gotten sicker, and people with fluctuating chronic illnesses express gratitude for coming out of a relapse.” The law of Canada also abides through the eyes of multicultural ethics. Every community or religion has their own definition of what is considered moral or immoral (Latimer, & McGregor, 1994). Many belief systems would say that God has given you your soul and only God can take it away. If you have a illness, it is in your fate and you should be able to abide to it patiently. Euthanasia can be perceived differently within each scenario; either it be completely wrong to take one’s life or it is one’s autonomy to decide what they want to do with their own body and soul (Latimer, & McGregor, 1994).
There are many courage stories of people who live with ALS and have accepted the illness. One patient, Durwin Cadeau is 26 years old and has been diagnosed with ALS (Cadeau, 2010). Cadeau was known to be free spirited, had a passion for cars, has a baby boy, and an amazing family. He mentions that his pain is unbearable and he knows his disease is getting worse (Cadeau, 2010). Cadeau has his entire life to look forward to but won’t be able to see his son grow up or his sister get married, yet he still is holding on (Cadeau, 2010). He feels that God has another plan for him and he will see the rest of his family in heaven because that is the eternal life (Cadeau, 2010). In my perspective, the most difficult of illnesses are to those who are diagnosed at a young age, and if someone like him has the ability to pull through it then we should all have the strength to carry on.
As mentioned above, I do not think that the Canadian law has discriminated against women but it has set laws to make physician assisted suicide illegal as a whole. Majority of the cases in the courts are debated by women but there are also cases that are also reopened by men but not mentioned as much as it should be (Daigle, & Côté, 2006). Let’s take the case of Robert Latimer, he was charged with the death of his daughter Tracy Latimer because he could not stand her pain and allow her to undergo mutilation and torture (Fisher, 2009). Even though his intentions were motivated by his love for his daughter, he was still taken to court and given prison time. Through this we can see that it may not have been a plea for a physician assisted, but it is a case of active euthanasia. The difference in Latimer’s case was that as a father, he decided to take the life of his daughter which was a act of kindness on his part. Although we can question whether or not Tracy Latimer wanted to live but she did not have a say because she was deemed as incapable of making her own decisions. In my point of view, this is going against the child’s autonomy and her own rights. This is also why I agree with Canada’s law of active euthanasia or physician assisted suicide being illegal because not everyone is able to make proper decisions for themselves in times of grievance. Women are not the only gender that has experienced a negative response in the areas of euthanasia. I agree with Susan Wolf’s statement that over that years women have been seen as vulnerable, the primary caregivers and would be able to sacrifice their life for their family because they do not want to be a burden to them. I also agree that women are more likely to get diagnosed with a chronic disease than men are but I do not think that it makes it easier for women to have the duty to die (Kluge, 2000). Men are also the caregivers of the family but at the external level; they work hard to make money and provide for their families (Daigle, & Côté, 2006). They also have an emotional attachment to their wife and children so they are also capable of sacrificing their lives in terms of not becoming a burden (Daigle, & Côté, 2006). Wolf objects to the terms at which men and women ask for active euthanasia by mentioning that the problems are correlated with gender health issues. She explains that women have difficulty in receiving good medical care, have poor pain relief, higher incidence of depression as well as higher rate of poverty. Among those reasons, Wolf also argues that women attempt suicide in an effort to change an oppressive situation more than men do but women are considered “attempters” whereas men would be considered “completers” of suicide (Wolf, 2009). There are some areas where her claims of women wanting to take part in euthanasia more than men are not supported though. For example in Oregon USA, there is evidence that half the people who seek euthanasia are men, the other half are women and most of them tend to be Caucasian from the middle class sector (Wolf, 2009) .
I disagree with aspect that women are not given as good as medical care as men are. I believe that women are usually treated better than men especially in the Canadian health care system (Kluge, 2000). If a man and a woman were to enter the hospital with the same illness, the women would be looked after first because she is considered fragile whereas the man can find the strength to carry on longer. The concept of euthanasia can also be compared to the ethical and moral theories. A women may appeal to physician assisted suicide because she feels that she has the “right” to do what ever she pleases with her body. If she feels that by ending her life, she would be able to die with dignity then it is in her own autonomy to make that decision. Autonomy goes hand in hand with self determination as it entitles the patient to refuse unwanted life sustaining treatments (Callahan, 2009). Dr. Fraser, states “"I believe if someone wants to commit suicide [she has] a right to do it, but [she does] not have a right to expect me to perform it," (Kluge, 2000). Through this we can understand that it is in the patient’s full autonomy to reject a certain treatment but she does not have the right to ask a physician to assist her with suicide because it is not in the physician’s autonomy to do so (Kluge, 2000). Besides self autonomy, women tend to have the responsibility to care for their families and relationships. Most of the time, their decision to end life is based on the fact that she does not want to be a burden on her family and loved ones. This brings into perspective the ethics of care where the individual makes decisions based on selfless reasons and only to benefit the people around them. Even though the act of physician assisted suicide may be based on a completely selfless reason, the justice and law of Canada does not allow it. As earlier explained, the Canadian law takes the Kant approach and abides by the concept of “act only on that maxim that will become a universal law”. Another perspective that could tie in with a women's decision to take part in euthanasia is due to the social model of disability (Morris, 2001). The social environment seems to define what “disability” really means which is one of the factors to why individuals believe that there is no point of living if they cannot do anything (Morris, 2001). For instances if someone is in a wheelchair, it means they have limited accessibility compared to a person who is able to walk. Society has also come to define that any impairments of the body is a form of disability even if it’s for a short time being (Morris, 2001); as in, wearing a cast for a few weeks. When one has a disability or impairment of any sort, they start to be a burden on not only their loved ones but as well as the general public (Morris, 2001). If active euthanasia was to become legal it will send a message to those with disabilities, the vulnerable and the rest of the community that it is better to die instead of live with impairments. If this was to happen then the value of life would decrease. The test of patience and strength would be diminished as everyone would give up on the hope of getting better and decide that they are better to pass away then to live on.
The concept of Euthanasia and physician assisted suicide does not discriminate on the basis of women but it denies the right to everyone who resides in Canada. I think that it is immoral to take away a person’s life because it devalues the significance placed on life disregarding gender. If active euthanasia was to be made legal then the consideration of suicide would be increased and therefore decrease the value that has been placed on life and patients. Instead the focus should be placed on improving care no matter what the situation be. Government should invest in building a atmosphere to aid those who are disabled just like the families would need to change the environment in their homes as well. This would then change the perspective of the social model of disability to accept all impairments and disabilities as well as promote well being.
Now let's put ourselves in a situation of those who resort to any type of Euthanasia ( from a inside perspective):
How short is life
How long are we going to live?
I once was healthy, worked hard and cared for my children
But as my illness progresses, I feel helpless and weak,
They say I will not die soon,
But soon is an understatement,
I see my life passing me by,
And I do not understand why,
I beg for mercy and pray for a miracle,
There will come a day when I won’t be able to walk,
Won’t be able to properly talk,
My hands won’t be able to work
An intolerable burden to my loved ones,
That I cannot bear
And I ask for you to care,
My wish for when things get worse,
Is the choice to end my own source,
To pass away with peace and dignity,
I do not want to die,
But I have to.
Regards:
Fisher, J. (2009). Morality and Ethics. Biomedical Ethics, ch. 1(4-20). Retrieved on March 25, 2011.
Wolf, S (2009). Gender, Feminism and Death: Physician Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia. Biomedical Ethics, ch. 4(181-193). Retrieved on march 25, 2011.
Callahan, D (2009). When Self Determination Runs Amok. Biomedical Ethics, ch. 4(177-181). Retrieved on march 25, 2011.
Kluge, Eike-Henner W. (2000), "“Assisted Suicide, Ethics and the Law: The Implication of Autonomy and Respect for Persons, Equality and Justice, and Beneficence.”", in Prado, C.G., Assisted Suicide: Canadian Perspectives, Ottawa, Canada: University of Ottawa Press, pp. 83.
Daigle, M., & Côté, G. (2006). Nonfatal suicide-related behavior among inmates: testing for gender and type differences. Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior, 36(6), 670-681. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Latimer, E., & McGregor, J. (1994). Euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide and the ethical care of dying patients. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal = Journal De L'association Medicale Canadienne, 151(8), 1133-1136. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Morris, J. (2001). Impairment and Disability: Constructing an Ethics of Care that Promotes Human Rights. Hypatia, Volume 16(4). Retrieved from Webct.
Cadeau, D. (2010). 15 Minutes of Fame. The ALS Society of Ontario. Retrieved from http://www.alsont.ca/stories/durwincadeau/
Criminal Code of Canada. (2009). C-46, 241. Retrieved from http://www.efc.ca/pages/law/cc/cc.html
Code of Ethics of Physicians. (2004). #58. Retrieved from http://www.cmq.org/~/media/132E0C657730482DBEE837D7473D439D.ashx
Canada Medical association (1996), Code of Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.cma.ca/
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