How Does Rachels Respond to the Objection That Passive Euthanasia

question 875

Multiple Choice

How does Rachels respond to the objection that passive euthanasia is relevantly different than active euthanasia because in cases of passive euthanasia doctors do nothing to cause the death of the patient?

• A) Doctors cannot be said to do nothing in cases of passive euthanasia because the act of stopping treatment is itself an action intended to cause the death of the patient.
• B) Doctors are not responsible for deaths in cases of active euthanasia because it is the drug that ultimately causes death and not the doctor.
• C) In both cases of active and passive euthanasia, the doctor does not intend the death of the patient, although it is an inevitable consequence.
• D) Although doctors do play a role in the death of patients by passive euthanasia, they still do not directly harm their patients as in cases of active euthanasia.

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Definitions:

Subnormal

Below the normal or average level, often relating to temperature, intelligence, or health status.

Tachypnea

Increased rate of respiration.

Bradypnea

An abnormally slow rate of respiration.

Dyspnea

A medical term for difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, a symptom of various underlying health conditions.