Word: deaths
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...There are stigmas attached to homosexuality and to mental illness, which often results [during] advanced stages of AIDS," Shulman said. "In this culture, which idealizes rugged individualism, and recently, narcissism, the helplessness of AIDS victims is taboo. And nobody likes to talk about death," he said...
...euthanasia. What has upset many doctors is the resident's decision to kill Debbie without attempting to allieviate her pain or without consulting her doctor or family. The American Medical Association's official guidelines say that physicians may withhold life-sustaining treatment under certain circumstances, but should never cause death intentionally. But as Debbie's case shows us, the line between the two has become fuzzy...
This ambiguity has led to the case's controversy, which has swept waiting rooms and operating rooms across the country. Unfortunately, the AMA never spells out the "certain circumstances" under which euthanasia is condoned. What's the difference between an "intentionally caused" death and a death caused when life-sustaining treatment is withheld...
...consideration of equal importance in life-and-death decisions has to be the patient's quality of life. Will a few more hours, days, or even months of mere existence in either pain or complete unconsciousness really add to the life of the patient or his family? Some may be horrified at this attitude. Some even think that making such judgements is akin to playing God. But we have moved toward God-hood by prolonging life by artificial means--should we therefore stop using respirators, mechanical hearts and lungs, and kidney machines? Advances in medical science have brought with them...
...whether a patient has any choice in ending it. The AMA must take a stand and establish a clear definition of life, and under what circumstances a physician can withhold life-prolonging treatment. Unless such guidelines are laid down, a tragic occurrence such as Debbie's induced death may again occur through the efforts of other "well-meaning" physicians...