How to Die in Oregon is SUCH a powerful documentary. I found this film difficult to watch mostly because death and dying is so scrutinized. We are introduced to a few individuals who wish to undergo physician assisted suicide. I am currently taking an anthropology course and we've been discussing the "ethics" of physician assisted suicide. Some students argued that everyone is entitled to treat their body how they want, others argued that the individual who wishes to end their life must first see the joy of living before euthanasia, and finally students argued that if a person is in pain they have a right to end their life. Euthanasia and physician assisted suicide are still extremely difficult to deal in society. Yes there are cases in which physician assisted suicide is appropriate, but legalizing it turns it into a "business". It's scary because anyone could ask for assistance. If physician assisted suicide does turn into a sort of enterprise, would people in good health who wish to die get rejected? Back to the film though, I found it very interesting. The viewers are introduced to many pleasant individuals whose last option is physician assisted suicide. I found them to be very brave and courageous people. We instantly form a connection with them and as we learn more about their story, we feel emotional and compassionate. Cody Curtis, a liver cancer patient strongly encouraged PAS and fought for it. Further on into the film, one man tells us that his health insurance would rather pay him to end his life than pay him to fight for it. The stories we are told throughout the film are really powerful yet saddening. For example, the opening scene is quite difficult to watch. Since most of the film was pro-PAS, I wanted to see what the stance of doctors against PAS would be so I attached an article I found. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/12/13/doctors-speak-out-against-assisted-suicide-protect-patients/
Overall, I feel this documantary does a wonderful job shedding light into physician assited suicide, the process, what the patients go through, and how their loved ones handle their decision. Even though it was emotionally draining, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Its scary to think about the legality issues that arise alongside the subject of physician assisted suicide. Especially with health insurance. Would health insurance, especially universal health insurance, be reduced to encouraging PAS in the severely ill and elderly?
ReplyDeleteI think you offer an interesting perspective on euthanasia becoming a business and a person's right to death. I think that if euthanasia was legalized, it would bring up questions as to what requirements a person had to have to be euthanized. Would pain be considered strictly on a physical level, or an emotional one as well? An would they be required to try every other option before being given the possibility of physician assisted suicide? When a service becomes a business, often times the good of the business overshadows the good of the customer.
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