Describe pain and suffering within context of faith
Physician Assisted Suicide / Death ( PAS / PAD)
Definition
Is it ethical?
Should we have the right to end our lives? Why yes or why not?
Better alternatives to PAS; compare and contrast each:
Hospice
Palliative care / Terminal sedation
Case studies. Brief summary of:
Hemlock Society
Jacob Kevorkian
Britanny Maynard
Read and summarize ERD paragraphs #: 59, 60, 61: 59. The free and informed judgment made by a competent adult patient concerning the use or
withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures should always be respected and normally
complied with, unless it is contrary to Catholic moral teaching. 60. Euthanasia is an action or omission that of itself or by intention causes death in order to
alleviate suffering. Catholic health care institutions may never condone or participate in
euthanasia or assisted suicide in any way. Dying patients who request euthanasia should receive loving care, psychological and spiritual support, and appropriate remedies for pain
and other symptoms so that they can live with dignity until the time of natural death. 61. Patients should be kept as free of pain as possible so that they may die comfortably and Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Sixth Edition
with dignity, and in the place where they wish to die. Since a person has the right to
prepare for his or her death while fully conscious, he or she should not be deprived of
consciousness without a compelling reason. Medicines capable of alleviating or suppressing
pain may be given to a dying person, even if this therapy may indirectly shorten the person’s
life so long as the intent is not to hasten death. Patients experiencing suffering that cannot
be alleviated should be helped to appreciate the Christian understanding of redemptive
suffering.
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