Case Study: End of Life Decisions

Case Study: End of Life Decisions

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Case Study: End of Life Decisions

The practice of health care providers at all levels brings you into contact with people from a variety of faiths. This calls for knowledge and acceptance of a diversity of faith expressions.

The purpose of this paper is to complete a comparative ethical analysis of George’s situation and decision from the perspective of two worldviews or religions: Christianity and a second religion of your choosing. For the second faith, choose a faith that is unfamiliar to you. Examples of faiths to choose from include Sikh, Baha’i, Buddhism, Shintoism, etc.

In your comparative analysis, address all of the worldview questions in detail for Christianity and your selected faith. Once you have outlined the worldview of each religion, begin your ethical analysis from each perspective.

In a minimum of 2,000 words, provide an ethical analysis based upon the different belief systems, reinforcing major themes with insights gained from your research, and answering the following questions based on the research:

How would each religion interpret the nature of George’s malady and suffering? Is there a “why” to his disease and suffering? (i.e., is there a reason for why George is ill, beyond the reality of physical malady?)
In George’s analysis of his own life, how would each religion think about the value of his life as a person, and value of his life with ALS?
What sorts of values and considerations would each religion focus on in deliberating about whether or not George should opt for euthanasia?
Given the above, what options would be morally justified under each religion for George and why?
Finally, present and defend your own view.
Support your position by referencing from lectures, the Bible, and the textbooks for each religion. Each religion must have a primary source included.

A total of six references are required according to the specifications listed above. Incorporate the research into your writing in an appropriate, scholarly manner.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide

Case Study: End of Life Decisions

George is a successful attorney in his mid-fifties. He is also a legal scholar, holding a teaching

post at the local university law school in Oregon. George is also actively involved in his teenage

son’s basketball league, coaching regularly for their team. Recently, George has experienced

muscle weakness and unresponsive muscle coordination. He was forced to seek medical

attention after he fell and injured his hip. After an examination at the local hospital following his

fall, the attending physician suspected that George may be showing early symptoms for ALS

(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a degenerative disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and

spinal cord. The week following the initial examination, further testing revealed a positive

diagnosis of ALS.

ALS is progressive and gradually causes motor neuron deterioration and muscle atrophy to the

point of complete muscle control loss. There is currently no cure for ALS, and the median life

expectancy is between three and five years, though it is not uncommon for some to live 10 or

more years. The progressive muscle atrophy and deterioration of motor neurons leads to the loss

of the ability to speak, move, eat, and breathe. However, sight, touch, hearing, taste, and smell

are not affected. Patients will be wheelchair bound and eventually need permanent ventilator

support to assist with breathing.

George and his family are devastated by the diagnosis. George knows that treatment options only

attempt to slow down the degeneration, but the symptoms will eventually come. He will

eventually be wheelchair bound, and be unable to move, eat, speak, or even breathe on his own.

In contemplating his future life with ALS, George begins to dread the prospect of losing his

mobility and even speech. He imagines his life in complete dependence upon others for basic

everyday functions, and perceives the possibility of eventually degenerating to the point at which

he is a prisoner in his own body. Would he be willing to undergo such torture, such loss of his

own dignity and power? George thus begins inquiring about the possibility of voluntary

euthanasia.