Having read the article by J. M. Dieterle, I have learned about different arguments against PAS. As for me, the weakest issues against euthanasia are “acceptance of PAS will weaken the prohibition on killing; and citizens will begin to fear hospitals and medical personnel” (Dieterle, 2007, p. 128).
To my mind, the first reason is weak because PAS is not the mask of death penalty. For example, if a person suffers from cancer of IV stage and there are no analogizing medicine for him/her, and terribly suffers it is quite clear that there are no chances to survive for this person and he is sentenced to die in terrible pain, but there’s no word that a prisoner must be killed via PAS. The second reason is rather weak because euthanasia concerns diseases incompatible with life, incurable and inflicting too much pain, but simple flu is not the reason to claim for euthanasia.
The best theories are “patients might be pressured by family members or insurance companies to seek PAS; and vulnerable groups – the elderly, minorities and the poor – will be more likely to take advantage of PAS, due to discrimination” (Dieterle, 2007, p. 128). These are reasonable as family members and insurance companies can pressure on the patient because of money, and the elderly, minorities and the poor are the most likely categories to suffer from prejudices and depression, so emotions will be the reason for them to take the decision.
Women and Health
After reading some publications concerning HIV/AIDS and tobacco healthcare issues on the WHO site, I found out that there are present some inequities in gender treatment. The first reason because women fail to get medical treatment of necessary level is their position in society. They usually work in informal sector which doesn’t offer any medical insurance; they get lower positions with lower payment and often work in part-time jobs.
All these issues create financial barrier for women to receive necessary health care. The reason to overcome this problem is removing of this barrier either by making cheaper or free health care (though taxes will increase) or by removing sexists’ stereotypes about some professions, and, especially, leading and top-positions which are usually obtained by men. The second reason is that women receive lower healthcare because they are major contributors in it. Doctors do not want to snail with them, as they need too much attention and too much time and effort. Again, the decision for this is removing sexists’ inclinations in society.
And the third reason is why women cannot receive necessary care is “profoundly affected by the ways in which they are treated and the status they are given by society as a whole” (WHO, 2009, p. 4). It means that women are less respected and in some countries are considered less important than men are. If it is because of some religious beliefs, then this problem cannot be solved, and if it is because of a tradition, set of mind of the whole country should be changed and women must be equaled in rights with men.
“Nancy Cruzan vs. Director”
The main issue of this case was that Nance Cruzan, as her parents claimed, must be “terminated in her artificial nutrition and hydration” (“Nancy Cruzan vs. Director”, 1989-1990), as she is in so-called vegetative state after a car accident. The Court declined this petition as according to the law Nancy has the right of protection of her life and the evidences of her former housemate that she would not like to live like a vegetable were recognized as unconvincing. I disagree with this decision as she has the right to live, but if she is in coma for a too long period, her brain is too severe injured and she will never return to normal state and now she is only wasting federal money.
Besides, she is now dead. She doesn’t perform any moves, breathing, etc – it is performed for her by machines. This case impacts morality and common sense, as it is terrible to kill a person, but if he or she is actually dead and their brain performs no activity some points and issues should be taken and thought over.
Reference List
Dieterle, J. M. (2007). Physician Assisted Suicide: A New Look At the Arguments. n.p.: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Supreme Court of the United States. (1989-1990). Nancy Cruzan vs. Director. n.p.
World Health Organization. (2009). Executive Summary: Women and Health – Today’s Evidence, Tomorrow’s Agenda. Geneva: WHO Press.