Australia: Law And Ethics Of Euthanasia

Abstract: 5 pages in length. The concept of right to die is one that prevents terminally ill patients from having to endure one more moment of an artificial existence. Being kept alive through the intervention of drugs and other invasive treatments goes against the very grain of what is known as one's quality of life. In order to have quality of life, the patient must be in such a frame of mind and body where life is a pleasure and not merely a perpetual struggle. A person who is suffering from a terminal illness inevitably experiences many things that negatively impact the daily routine; it is not long before the patient is forced to depend upon others to do many of the menial tasks that once were a simple part of everyday life. As this occurs, individuals encounter feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy, believing that they have become a burden to those around them. Australian law recognized these issues when the Northern Territory legalized active voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide in 1995; with this legislation, the terminally ill breathed a heavy sigh of relief. However, the laws affecting euthanasia are complex and differ from State to State in Australia. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

Filename: TLCAusEu.wps

Pages: 5

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Catagory: Disease, Treatment, & Epidemiology

Subcatagory: Medicine, Medical Issues, & Pharmacy

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