904_Ind1_S1

Name: Kate Borromeo

Instructions: Now that your group has decided on an issue, you must demonstrate that there is a problem. You will turn in this research sheet completed with two articles attached that you showed that there is a problem

I. There is a problem in society today. That problem is:

There are two distinct sides either opposing or supporting the act of euthanasia. One side of the argument supports euthanasia and considers euthanasia as a form of mercy for an individual experiencing an unbearable amounts of pain or possessing a terminal illness ("Euthanasia and the Right to Die: Outlook"). The other side of the argument opposes euthanasia and views it as murder and even a Nazi form of eliminating those who are unfit or sick. The problem at hand is that individuals that are dying deserve to have the same rights as those that are living, which includes their willingness to die if it were their choice, but there are others that oppose this particular statement that are preventing this decision from happening.

II. Facts that demonstrate that there is a problem are: (Two articles and bibliography must be attached)

Individuals opposing euthanasia believe that patients in persistent vegetative state that are withdrawn from nutrition and hydration is considered murder. There was a lawsuit was established against Oregon's Death with Dignity Act which allowed euthanasia in regard to a violation against the Controlled Substances Act ("Euthanasia and the Right to Die"). During 1973, the American Hospital Association established the Patient's Bill of Rights, which states the patient's have a right to refuse treatment and the right to informed consent ("Euthanasia and the Right to Die"). Despite of this being passed, there are individuals who still do not support the performance of euthanasia. Additionally, the case of Terri Schiavo is another example that displays a problem regarding euthanasia ("Euthanasia and the Right to Die"). Terri's husband attempted to have her doctors remove her feeding tube due to the fact that she was in a critical state for fifteen years. However, Terri's parents brought her husband to court regarding the attempt to have Terri's feeding tube removed. This case displays the two contradicting sides regarding euthanasia and that the problem needs to be resolved to avoid further conflict between the two distinct sides. Passive euthanasia allows an individual to die by withholding or withdrawing mechanical medical treatment (respirators, heart and lung machines, feeding tubes) which maintain life when there is no benefit for the patient ("Euthanasia and the Right to Die: Outlook"). On the other hand, active euthanasia involves a patient experiencing immense, unrelieved pain or a terminally ill patient who wants to end the suffering. In addition to the cases mentioned which displayed an obvious conflict between the two contradicting sides either supporting or opposing the act of euthanasia, a pathologist and trained physician by the name of Jack Kevorkian assisted numerous patients who requested the means to take their own lives and was charged with second-degree murder and sentenced to prison ("Euthanasia and the Right to Die: Outlook").

[|Article 1]

[|Article 2]

Gay, Kathlyn. "Euthanasia and the Right to Die: Outlook." //Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society//. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2011.

This article discusses the rights of individuals who are terminally ill, and how those rights pertain to the act of euthanasia.

Simon, Rita J. "Euthanasia and the Right to Die." //Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society//. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2011.

This article discusses various cases that caused conflict regarding the act of euthanasia and how the problem must be resolved to avoid further turmoil.