The Moral and Ethical Views on The Goal of Euthanasia

The developments in the scientific environment has brought major changes to the normal healthcare delivery process by focusing on a number of process, which are critical in delivery of care. Euthanasia is one of the scientific focus in recent past, which involves intentional ending of an individual’s life to avert pain and suffering. Major arguments have been developed regarding the euthanasia process creating a difficult implementation environment considering the significant focus within the healthcare delivery that euthanasia is an ethical and illegal (Julesz, 12).

The healthcare industry is developed on strict adherence to professional ethics, which means that any action that is performed is aimed at promoting the utmost good to the patient. A key aspect in delivery of healthcare revolves around ensuring that the patient is happy. Euthanasia has brought significant focus on the underlying professional ethics with healthcare environment. Euthanasia involves both voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary euthanasia involves a patient who wishes to end his of her life due to sustained suffering and pain, which cannot be taken away by any medication available. Involuntary euthanasia involves a situation where a patient cannot given consent but it is very much visible that the patient is in a lot of pain and there is nothing that can be done to avert the pain (Sandy MacLeod, 33-35).

The ethical principle of utilitarianism highlights that an action is ethical correct if the outcome is deemed to have the greatest success in bringing happiness. An ethically good action has to be in the best interests of many. When considering this basis, euthanasia is ethically good if it is done in the best interests of many. Many individuals are involved in the whole process of euthanasia either directly or indirectly. The patient, family and the physician involved all have key concerns regarding the existing situation. Euthanasia is only done to avert suffering and pain to a patient but also family members must be able to provide a critical understanding on what needs to be considered that can limit their suffering. Continued presence of a patient who is suffering and in much pain has negative influence on family members in terms of financial strain and emotional stress, which can be ended through euthanasia (Rachels ,16).

Bentham's Felicific Calculus provides a crucial understanding that the moral perspective of an action is measured by the total pleasure or pain that is produced based on the action. Thus, a morally wrong action will automatically be based on total pain therefore while morally right action is judged based on the amount of pleasure as a result of the action. Euthanasia in this case provide total pleasure, which includes end of suffering and pain, as well as eliminate the family suffering. This is pleasure based on the Bentham’s felicific calculus. Thus, the action of euthanasia aims at total pleasure and not suffering which makes morally and ethically correct. The success level helps all those involved to find peace. The manner in which an action is taken does not matter as long as the outcome is total pleasure (Mathai and Haubold, 56-61).