Major changes have been made to healthcare delivery by the scientific community. They now focus on several processes that are crucial in providing care. Euthanasia has become a scientific focus. It is an intentional act of ending a person’s lives to avoid suffering and pain. The euthanasia procedure has been the subject of major arguments. This is due to the large focus on the legality and ethics of euthanasia in the healthcare system (Julesz 12, 12).
Healthcare is built on the principle of professional ethics. All actions must be done in a way that promotes the highest good for the patient. It is important to ensure that patients are happy when healthcare is delivered. Euthanasia is a significant step in bringing attention to the fundamental professional ethics of healthcare. Euthanasia can be voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary euthanasia is when a patient wishes to end her own life because of pain and suffering that cannot be relieved by medication. Involuntary Euthanasia is when a patient refuses to consent to be killed but is clearly in pain. There is no way to prevent the pain from getting worse (Sandy MacLeod 33-35). The best interests of the patient and others must be considered when deciding to take an ethically acceptable action. If it serves many people’s best interests, then euthanasia will be ethically sound. In the entire process of ending a person’s life, many people are involved either directly or in an indirect way. There are many concerns that the medical team, family members and patient have about the situation. Although Euthanasia can be used to stop suffering or pain, the patient and their family must have a clear understanding of what is needed to make it less painful. Euthanasia can stop a patient from suffering and causing emotional distress to their loved ones.
Bentham’s Felicific Calculus is a critical understanding of the fact that moral perspectives are measured by the amount or total pleasure that is derived from the action. Therefore, morally unsound actions will be judged on the total pain they cause. However, morally correct actions are determined by the pleasure that the action produces. Euthanasia provides complete pleasure. It can end suffering and pain, and also eliminate family suffering. This is a pleasure that follows the Bentham felicific calculus. Therefore, euthanasia seeks to bring about total pleasure and avoid suffering. This is ethically and morally correct. All parties can find peace if they achieve success. As long as there is complete pleasure, it doesn’t matter what action you take (Mathai/Haubold, 56-61).