What should be the considerations when making a decision to discontinue life support?
How can the codes of ethics for physicians and nurses affect this case The Terri Schivao?
After answering the above questions, read the following case on ethical issues.
On October 27, 1997, Oregon enacted the Death with Dignity Act, which allows terminally-ill Oregonians to end their lives through the voluntary self-administration of lethal medications, expressly prescribed by a physician for that purpose. Thus, Oregon became the first state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. The Oregon Death with Dignity Act requires the Oregon Health Authority to collect information about the patients and physicians who participate in the act and publish an annual statistical report. Answer the following questions in regard to the above case:
- What is the major ethical issue in this law?
Using an ethical theory, argue for or against the Death with Dignity Act.