JCC ITT: Learn to Think Like an Undergrad

Question from an actual undergrad class.

Should physician-assisted suicide for the mentally ill, and in particular the clinically depressed, be legal? What are the issues from the point of view of medical ethics? Take a position, but address counter-arguments.

some background information:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/848910

Also, try not to open with "holy ****! I can't believe this is actually legal in the Netherlands" or "we don't need doctor-assisted suicide in the U.S. That's why we have guns."

 

Shouldn't this be in the End of Life thread, or have we abandoned that to ZAP?

Anyway, yeah sure. If a person has a mental illness and has tried various treatment options but is unable to get to a place of mental stability, I don't see how it's much different from any other chronic illness for which assisted suicide would be an option. I would be in favor of some kind of waiting periods and extensive discussion of alternatives before finally proceeding, but mental torment without any recourse or hope for recovery isn't more noble or more bearable or less regrettable than conditions that manifest physically.

There might be a question of consent issues, in that it's more difficult to ascertain if someone with chronic critical depression is capable thinking with a clear enough mind to consent to such an action, which is why I'd advocate for waiting periods and extensive clinical assessment. But at the same time that seems like a pretty solid argument to allow the patient to choose death, if they are in treatment and still can't escape their depression at any point in a prolonged waiting period in order to be of clear enough mind to consent. It's a concern at the same time it's a reaffirmation.

 

You seem to be thinking like an undergrad about this problem already. Congrats. You're certified.

 

There are no laws in Latvia that address doctor-assisted suicide, and under Latvian criminal law, such an act is likely to be considered homicide. ("Survey on Chaplaincy and Quality of End of Life." European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy. European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy, 28 Feb. 2010. Web. 25 Feb. 2016. <http://www.enhcc.eu/endoflife09_latvia.htm>.)

 

*skips class and gets drunk instead*

 

you need a little more work, GAJ.

Here's an extra credit problem.

GrandAdmiralJello is a 33-year-old in a coma after a terrible car wreck. Her internal organs are not functioning well. She is the mother of four-year old twins, and she is pregnant, in her 22 week.
GrandAndmiralJello's husband has authority to make medical decisions for his spouse. His primary concern is for his wife's health and the well being of his two young children at home. GrandAdmiral's medical team has recommended an abortion to improve her survival odds and organ functioning, with the exception of her obstetrician who has recommended keeping the fetus alive to bring it closer to viability outside the womb. The hospital is seeking your guidance to decide whether or not GrandAdmiralJello should receive an abortion.

 

(x+4)^2 = x^2 + 16. Yeah, that looks right and definitely doesn't fail if I plug in x=1.

 

you think like a post grad and are going to remain uncertified.

 

Rylo Ken, you are thinking like a middle-aged non student because that is easily high school level math

 

I was talking about Ramza in general. He's uniquely unqualified to participate in this thread.

 

and Jello and I aren't?

 

*snapchats the professor some emojis*

 

As the husband, I have secretly resented GAJ for years. And although she doesn't know I know, I know the baby she is carrying isn't mine, but that of her lover and my best friend (or so I thought), Rylo Ken. My plan to sabotage her car was nearly perfect, except the lover was not in the car, and she still clings to life. Therefore I choose the option that ends her and the bastard childs life. I will use the life insurance money to hire a hitman to eliminate Rylo Ken. This twisted bitterness will eventually ruin my life.

 

I don't know. It's possible you're just better at concealing your superior intellects than he is. His tends to leak out around the edges.

 

Well, he has been pretty clear on his feelings about law degrees.

 

Dude this is medical ethics, only the final essay matters. You can get a 100 on that and still get a B-, I ran the numbers.

 

STOP RUNNING NUMBERS YOU GODDAMN EINSTEIN

 

You think like someone who could write scripts for Netflix original programming. Keep up the good work!

 

I was thinking Lifetime Movie Network.

 

that's how much better you are at critical thinking than I am. I certified you first. Because I know talent.

 

I get to write movies? I thought I was going to be stuck in soap hell!

 

you have the signature and avatar that says "this guy is going places." It's not just about thinking like an undergrad. You have to look the part too. Mission accomplished.

 

I find the question offensive and I'm going to raise a twitter mob against the professor.