Question

Access the ethical issues surrounding end of life decisions. How has the living will affect medical response and why is this important for guiding end of life decisions? should families be able to impact how and if a person’s living will is carried out? should parents have the right to end the life of their child if the child has down syndrome?

Answer 1

For patients in life threatening illness or in end stage diseases if the providing treatment is not benefit the client recovery then there exist the end of life decisions. Most of the end of the life decisions clients are usually unconscious so the the decision goes in hands of physician and the family members.Here the patient right to his health is lost. client's right on decision making is lost.It is against the ethical principle of Autonomy.Here patient lost his autonomy.Then mostly it is employed by withdrawing of supporting services or treatment.So it hits the ethical principle non- maleficence.These are the ethical issues but still these are controversial between ethical and unethical.Living will is the legal document about the decision making on one own health.It is supported by the attorney.Suppose if the client in ICU is on end stage of life the attorney issues the decision about the living will to the medical team then the team cannot perform any treatment strategy.The medical team plans to resuscitation in emergency cases.It may or may not save the life of the client.Even though there is a chance for saving life the living will affect it.Guiding end of life decisions is important because it assures the client decision making.The client when he is in the good conscious level he prepares the living will in the presence of attorney.It will become power when the client becomes the unconscious state or the state he cannot make decisions.Even though the family members are ready to provide treatment the living will prevent it.Yes the parents have the right to end of life of the child in down syndrome.It is employed for the child sake.Considering the child future it is acceptable.