Annotated Bibliography: Euthanasia
Braddock, C. H., & Tonelli, M. R. (2008, April 11). Physician-assisted suicide. Retrieved October 5, 2010, from http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/pas.html#ques7
In this document, the authors provide basic information and answer frequently asked questions related to physician-assisted suicide. They make it clear that physician-assisted suicide differs from euthanasia. The latter comprises of acting directly to take the patients life, like giving a lethal injection, whereas in the former the physician only provides the means for the patient to do so, such as prescribing a medicine. It also includes some of the arguments in favor and against which continue to be debated. It emphasizes that unlike euthanasia, which is illegal, physician assisted suicide is legal in some states of the United States, such as Oregon. The document is mainly informative and possesses no bias, providing only basic facts about the subject. Although the main purpose of the document is not to inform about euthanasia, it still proves to be a good source because it compares both aspects and delineates the boundaries between what could be considered as euthanasia and what is not.
Chan, L., & Lien, D. (2010). The value of planned death. Journal of Socio-Economics, 39(6), 692-695. doi:10.1016/j.socec.2010.06.007
In this article, the authors attempt to look at the issue with a more practical view, trying to deviate from the emotional side and look at the rationale of the cost of physician assisted suicide. They show specific ways in which euthanasia could be the optimal decision made, if the appropriate provisions are met, by applying specific mathematical formulas to consider several of the variables and factors under which euthanasia might and might not be considered. Also, the article argues that by increasing the amount of investment given towards research to alleviate pain from suffering individuals, then the demand for options such as euthanasia could be considerably reduced. The article is certainly an opinion piece, since none of the approaches employed by the authors are used or actually proven to work, and much of the info is mainly mathematical and theoretical. But even though some of the methods seem out of subject, most of the information given is up to date and helps deepen the understanding of the matter overall, since the authors look at many of the factors that could make a person consider euthanasia.
Moulton, B. E., Hill, T. D., & Burdette, A. (2006). Religion and trends in euthanasia attitudes among U.S. adults, 1977-2004. Sociological Forum, 21(2), 249-272. doi:10.1007/s11206-006-9015-5
The purpose of this article is to attempt to look at some of the factors that may affect individual thoughts on the issue of euthanasia, mainly regarding the effects of religion and time. The authors try to analyze how time has affected the public opinion regarding the issue, in order to see if the views have become more liberal or conservative, and how does age and impoverishment affect individual judgment. Also, they look at different religions in the U.S. and see how their attitudes towards the subject vary between them, whether they have been changing or combining over time, and how the religion affiliation reflects on the individual. The information displayed by the article seems considerably reliable and factual, since it has much reliable up to date data and sources to base the information on. The authors appear unbiased toward the subject, and explain thoroughly the ideas expressed in the article, which helps understand how religion might affect individual thoughts on euthanasia.
Prado, C. G. (2008). Choosing to die (pp. 186-198). New York: Cambridge University Press.
In the section of the book, Prado explains the difference between foundational and coincidental cultures, and the impact they have on assisted death situations. The author explains that most of the time the factors that are taken into consideration are usually from the foundational culture and individual belongs to, but emphasizes how coincidental cultures should not be taken for granted, so he mainly explains and highlights the ways in which coincidental cultures affect an individual by shaping some of his values, thus influencing the manner in which individuals behave towards different situations, relating it generally to euthanasia. The ideas demonstrated are not completely factual; much of it appears to be theory and speculations. But even though the author uses much of his own ideas in addressing the subject, the information presented is still relevant because he addresses how the values an individual believes in affect his reasoning towards euthanasia; rather than looking at outside factors, he tries to view the inside ones.
Seper, F., & Hamer, J. (1980, May 5). Declaration on euthanasia. Retrieved October 6, 2010, from http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19800505_euthanasia_en.html
This document is a declaration from the Vatican about the views of the Catholic Church towards the subject of euthanasia and any type assisted death. They give and explain all the reasons why they disapprove of it, and their interpretation of God‘s view about it. To prove many of their points, they provide much implied facts from their religion, which hold life as a sacred gift and hold it utterly immoral to impede it in any way. They also request any individual that works in the medical field to know the extent to which they should use their abilities to help the public; not to withhold their aid, but to learn to use appropriate measures. This declaration proves to be a good primary source, since all of its judgments and views are based from the center source of a world wide religion. Thus it is an important source because it helps to see the way a major religious group looks at the issue and the validating points from their perspective.
Yardley, W. (2010, March 4). Report finds 36 died under assisted suicide law. New York Times, p. A17. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/05/us/05suicide.html?_r=1&ref=euthanasia
In this newspaper article, Yardley gives several recent statistics about the actual number of people that have died by request of physician-assisted suicide in the United States. It informs that the only states that have adopted this law are Washington and Oregon; Washington put the law into effect May 2009, and Oregon has exercised it since 1998. According to the article there is speculation that they want to enforce the law in states such as Montana and Massachusetts, but opposition makes it improbable that it will carry out. He also looks at some of the stated reasons from some of the people that have died as a result of assisted death in the past year. The article offers objective facts and sources from which the information was obtained. It gives more insight to the topic by providing up to date statistics of its application and public standings and popularity on the issue.
Young, R. (2007). Medically assisted death (pp. 196-218). New York: Cambridge University Press.
In this chapter of the book, Young attempts to argue non-voluntary euthanasia, and how the attempt to legalize euthanasia will eventually lead to the advocacy of killing individuals who do not have the benefit of a choice. He views some causes and effects, and uses several examples from past occurrences to place into consideration several hypothetical situations that would in his opinion lead inevitably towards the employment of non-voluntary euthanasia. He also argues that even if euthanasia is illegal, there are some instances in which this type of technique is already being applied. The section of the book is clearly biased, favoring against the legalization of euthanasia. Even though some cases are real, most of the arguments presented are hypothetical, since euthanasia is not legal, and are still debatable. Regardless the arguments presented are pertinent because it looks at some of the possible negative effects that euthanasia might generate in a broader aspect.
