Death with Dignity and the Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Death with Dignity and the Law - Essay Example It is noticeable that Virginia had been suffering from this condition since 1969, and George had been taking care of her ever since. One way George’s act can be interpreted, assuming that he has tried to manipulate the legal authorities, is that he too wanted to put an end to this lifelong service of taking care of Virginia, since according to the deputies, George himself came up with the thought that Virginia did not want any medical care at all, as he has been reported saying that she, â€Å"She didn't want to go to that hospital ... start cutting her toes of† (Skoloff). George and Virginia discussed that being admitted to the hospital is like getting a death sentence, so this was not a favorable option for them. Most probably, George was in a position to have Virginia change her mind even if she did not want to be hospitalized. The details of the incident do not speak of a single moment where George tried to convince Virginia to seek medical care for the treatment of her condition. All he did was cooperate with Virginia in putting an end to her life first by refusing to have her hospitalized and then by fulfilling her wish to be killed. ... Challenges associated with euthanasia Neither George nor Virginia thought about the challenges lying ahead for George in case of having him kill her that could be totally avoided if Virginia put an end to her life herself. Apparently, one cannot sense love in the act of a husband killing his wife especially when the wife was fully equipped to kill herself if she was that serious about it. Even before George shot her, Virginia asked him if this would cause pain, and George convinced her that she would not feel anything. This is strange because firstly, George had never experienced the sensation of being shot in his own entire life so he was not competent to tell her whether this would hurt or not, and secondly, it takes little common sense to tell that shooting somebody hurts. According to George, he and Virginia understood the medical procedure as comprising cutting the dead body tissue after which, Virginia would be taken to a nursing home where she would have to stay until her deat h. Choice of method for euthanasia The most controversial part of the incident is the use of .22 caliber revolver by George to commit the premeditated murder and later called over the part-time caregiver of Virginia to make the confession. George and the caregiver called 911 separately. Meanwhile, Virginia had not died. When George was found on the front porch by the deputies, Virginia was placed in the wheelchair and was alive, still breathing. George did an incomplete job leaving Virginia alive even after shooting her.