Do opinions about euthanasia vary cross-culturally? Give examples ...

[olgavictoria]

Do opinions about euthanasia vary cross-culturally? Give examples to support your argument.
 
  ANSWER:

Question 2

What is the debate regarding life-sustaining care?
 
  ANSWER:

[kaylee05]

Answer to Question 1

Most Americans agree with the ideas of disconnecting life support from a person in a vegetative state, withholding treatment from a person in the late stages of a terminal illness, and even the concept of assisted suicide. However, opinions also run strongly counter to this for persons with certain religious and political beliefs. Globally, opinions on euthanasia vary as well. For example, people in the Netherlands and Belgium indicated they would support euthanasia under certain conditions, such as when the patient specifically requests it. In Greece, a study of nurses and doctors did not find support for the idea of euthanasia in general but did find support for not reviving terminally ill cancer patients. Western Europeans tend to view euthanasia more positively than those residing in Eastern European or Islamic countries. Thus, opinions on the issue vary widely.

Answer to Question 2

A recent debate in the United States revolves around the personal, moral, and financial costs of keeping people alive who have terminal illnesses. One question is whether one should treat the secondary conditions of people with terminal illnesses. On the one hand, people argue that these treatments could be costly, that the individual is going to die anyway, and that needlessly prolonging life is a burden on society. On the other hand, it is argued that all methods should be used, whether for a premature infant or an older person, to keep them alive despite the high cost and potential negative side effects of intervention or treatment. These individuals argue that all life is precious and that humans should not play God and decide when life should end. There is no question, however, that extraordinary interventions are expensive. The biggest challenge is deciding when to treat or not to treat a person with a disease.