In the 2016 election ballot distributed to Colorado residents there is a section in regards to active euthanasia. The proposition asks if there should be a change in the revised statutes to permit any mentally capable adult who has a medical prognosis of death by a terminal illness within six months to receive a prescription from a physician for the purpose to end the individuals’ life. Colorado residents are able to buy property, divorce, and have an abortion, but are not allowed to choose when or how they will die. Today, euthanasia has become an international issue up for debate. The process of dying and what signifies a dignified death is different for each individual therefore euthanasia may be the right choice in certain …show more content…
For example, when a patient who was previously on a ventilator is given a poor prognosis, care is discontinued and the patient is started on palliative care. Treating a patient with passive euthanasia, may involve neglecting physiological human needs such as food or water (Jeffrey, 1994). According to the journal, Determinants of acceptance of end-of-life interventions: a comparison between withdrawing life-prolonging treatment and euthanasia in Austria, passive euthanasia is identified as the physician’s commitment to avoid using life-sustaining treatment if the patient or the medical power of attorney so decide. Passive euthanasia is understood to be a rationalized valid refusal of prolonging suffering or disease. Another example of a form of passive euthanasia would be when patients have a living will that states their wish is not to be resuscitated if their heart were to stop (Jeffrey, 1994). The patient or medical power of attorney must then decide what measures can be taken and what measures would be extraordinary to sustain life. Ordinary measures include the right to refuse treatment. Federal law supports this right for all patients. The Patient Self-Determination Act states health care providers will inform patients about the right to refuse or accept treatment (Leming & Dickerson, 2010). Surprisingly, the medical field has identified what measures can be taken for each situation and each …show more content…
Euthanasia can be divided into two terms. Passive euthanasia allows the person to die naturally. Active euthanasia provides physician assistance to terminate life and comply to end of life wishes for of some individuals. For many years, euthanasia has been a controversial topic. Those who agree with euthanasia argue that it promotes patients autonomy and respects end of life wishes. Those against euthanasia argue that all life is valuable and that it is morally and ethically wrong to kill another human being. In order to continue promoting and respecting end of life wishes for dying patients, euthanasia should be open for discussion to all patients free from judgement and or personal