Euthanasia Essays (980 words) - Euthanasia, Medical Ethics

Euthanasia Essays (980 words) - Euthanasia, Medical Ethics Euthanasia The term Euthanasia has become well known throughout the country. The word is derived from ancient Greek eu thantos, meaning easy death. Today, euthanasia is referred to as mercy killing. There is much controversy over whether or not the practice is just. Euthanasia raises many religious, medical, and ethical issues. Euthanasia can either be active or passive. Active euthanasia occurs when a physician or other medical personnel induces death. An overdose is administered to the patients in the form of insulin, barbiturates, or morphine, and then followed by an injection of curare. Passive euthanasia, on the other hand, is allowing the patient to die due to lack of treatment. This includes taking the patient off their support system, or respirator. Passive euthanasia also includes stopping the food supply intravenously to comatose patients (Comptons, 1). Debate has flourished against those who accept passive euthanasia, but reject active. Questions are asked why one form is accepted and not the other. The distinction that is made between the two of them is that active is murder, while passive is merciful. Turning off support systems is a positive act of death (Singer, 76). In the Encyclopedia of Bio-ethics, some religious views of euthanasia were given. Hebraic and Jewish denominations strongly oppose the practice. They believe life is a precious and divine gift, and that it must be sustained if possible. Death must never be hastened by intention. Physicians who kill patients in order to spare them pain are considered murderers (554-555). Judaism also rejects euthanasia. They do, however, accept two forms of eu thantos: caring for dying patients, and letting terminally ill persons die. Early Christians opposed self-induced death out of suffering and despair. They also condemn such practices such as infanticide and abortion (556). Roman Catholics permit terminally ill patients to die by forgoing life-sustaining measures. Catholics also allow the refusing forms of treatment that would secure a precarious and burdensome prolongation of life (557). Personal views regarding euthanasia are often influenced by their religious beliefs. With a controversial topic, such as euthanasia, there are strong opinions accentuated. Euthanasia is strongly affiliated to medical and ethical debate. Opponents and advocates of euthanasia have several significant points regarding their view of the practice. Humans have a natural inclination to continue life (Baird, 98). Opponents believe that euthanasia acts against nature. Like animals, humans fight for survival. It is our goal to protect ourselves from harm and do whatever possible to stay alive. When euthanasia is implicated, it goes against our concept for survival (98-99). Those against the practice also believe that some might abuse euthanasia and use it for self-interest. The cost to keep a person alive through means of modern technology can be very costly. Families might, despite their love for the patient, consider the money being spent for what may be a hopeless cause (Baird, 97). Opponents argue the possibility of s pontaneous remission. In many cases a patient recovers with no explanation. With euthanasia, these miraculous recoveries would not exist because there would be no expectation of them happening. If the patient is put to death then they have lost their right to recovery and life (100). Another argument regarding abuse is the professional aspect of euthanasia. In the medical profession, doctors are committed to saving lives (Baird, 100). With euthanasia, death is no longer natural; it is a result of a medical decision. Several questions are asked regarding when, why, and under what circumstances medical personnel should implement the practice. Each patients case has different factors that make the decision to put him or her to rest difficult (Thomasma, 247-248). Proponents feel that euthanasia is an admirable concept; however, the request for death from a patient should be evaluated seriously before administered. Advocates feel that it is a patients right to choose whether or not to remain living. The concern about following a patients request lies on their psychological state. It must be considered whether the patient is feeling depressed and that is why they want to die, or if it is to relieve the pain. Before euthanasia is implemented the question must be asked if it is in the patients best interest (Battin,120). The use of living wills has become popular in

Stony Corals (Hard Corals) Facts

Stony Corals (Hard Corals) Facts Stony corals, also called hard corals (as opposed to soft corals, like sea fans), are the reef-builders of the coral world. Learn more about stony corals - what they look like, how many species there are, and where they live. Characteristics of Stony Corals Secrete a skeleton made of limestone (calcium carbonate).Have polyps that secrete a cup (calyx, or calice) in which they live, and in which it can withdraw for protection. These polyps usually have smooth, rather than feathery tentacles.Are usually transparent. The brilliant colors associated with coral reefs are not caused by the corals themselves, but by algae called zooxanthellae that live within the coral polyps.Are composed of two groups: the colonial corals, or reef-builders, and the solitary corals. Stony Coral Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: CnidariaClass: AnthozoaOrder: Scleractinia According to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), there are over 3,000 species of stony corals. Other Names for Stony Corals Stony corals are known by many different names: Hard coralsReef-building coralsHexacoralsHermatypic coralsScleractinian corals Where Stony Corals Live Corals arent always where you think theyd be. Sure, many of the reef-building corals are warm-water corals - restricted to tropical and subtropical areas where the water is salty, warm and clear. The corals actually grow faster when they have more access to the sun. They can build large reefs like the Great Barrier Reef in warmer waters. Then there are corals found in unexpected areas - coral reefs and solitary corals in the deep, dark sea, even as far down as 6,500 feet. These are the deep-water corals, and they can tolerate temperatures as low as 39 degrees F. They can be found around the world. What Stony Corals Eat Most stony corals feed at night, extending their polyps and using their nematocysts to sting passing plankton or small fish, which they pass to their mouth. The prey is ingested, and any waste is expelled out the mouth. Stony Coral Reproduction These corals can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction occurs either when sperm and eggs are released in a mass spawning event, or by brooding, when only sperm are released, and these are captured by female polyps with eggs. One the egg is fertilized, a larva is produced and eventually settles to the bottom. Sexual reproduction allows coral colonies to form in new places. Asexual reproduction occurs through splitting, in which a polyp splits into two, or budding when a new polyp grows out of the side of an existing polyp. Both methods result in the creation of genetically identical polyps - and the growth of a coral reef. Asexual reproduction occurs through splitting, in which a polyp splits into two, or budding when a new polyp grows out of the side of an existing polyp. Both methods result in the creation of genetically identical polyps - and the growth of a coral reef.