Library Index :: Death & Dying
 

The End of Life: Ethical Considerations - Religious Teachings, Bioethics And Medical Practice, Patient Autonomy, The Desire To Die

Defining death has become a complex matter. Innovative medical technology, while saving many lives, has also blurred the lines between life and death. The controversy about the definition of death is but one of the ethical issues, or principles of moral conduct, related to end-of-life care and decision making. For example, should a son or daughter request the withdrawal of nutrition and hydration from a parent in a persistent vegetative state, knowing that parent's respect for the sanctity of life? Does a physician honor a patient's do-not-resuscitate request when it goes against the physician's ethical convictions? Who should determine when medical care is futile and no longer benefits the dying patient?

The answers to questions about care at the end of life, as well as decisions made by persons who are dying and by their loved ones, vary in response to cultural influences, family issues, and spiritual beliefs. Historical, social, cultural, political, and religious convictions shape ethical beliefs about death and guide the actions of health care professionals and persons who are terminally ill. For people of faith, religious convictions are vitally important when making end-of-life decisions.

Additional Topics

The End of Life: Ethical Considerations - Religious Teachings

All major religions consider life sacred. When it comes to death and dying, they take seriously the fate of the soul, be it eternal salvation (as in Christian belief) or reincarnation (as in Buddhist philosophy). According to Catholic teachings, death is contrary to God's plan for humankind. In the Old Testament story of Genesis, when God created human beings, he did not intend for them to …

The End of Life: Ethical Considerations - Bioethics And Medical Practice

Since ancient times, medical practice has been concerned with ethical issues. But only since the last half of the twentieth century have rapid advances in medicine given rise to so many ethical dilemmas. In matters of death and dying the debate continues on such issues as physicians' honoring a patient's do-not-resuscitate order, withholding food and fluids, and withdrawing artificia…

The End of Life: Ethical Considerations - Patient Autonomy

According to the principle of patient autonomy, competent patients have the right to self-rule—to choose among medically recommended treatments and refuse any treatment they do not want. To be truly autonomous, they have to be told about the nature of their illness, prospects for recovery, the course of the illness, alternative treatments, and treatment consequences. After thoughtful consid…

The End of Life: Ethical Considerations - The Desire To Die

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) has directed societal attention to end-of-life decision making because patients infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which weakens the immune system and leads to AIDS, are faced with decisions about life-prolonging therapies for a disease that as yet has no cure. They know that a number of disorders await them as their immune system is progres…

The End of Life: Medical Considerations - Causes Of Death, The Study To Understand Prognoses And Preferences For Outcomes And Risks Of Treatments (support) [next] [back] Redefining Death - Traditional Definition Of Death, A New Criterion For Death, The Government Redefines Death, The Near-death Experience

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