Topic: Value of Life and Right-to-Die
Purpose: To compare and contrast the defining principles of life based on classical and modern thoughts, and when the benefits of life seem insignificant during end-of-life.
Thesis: Modern society embraces a meaning of life that emphasizes quality of life and enjoyment, rather than the biological processes as reflected by greater patient autonomy, diminished religious influence, and technological advances.
Introduction: (20s-30s)
- List off the rights of proud, liberated, and independent Americans in your mind. Maybe free speech, the right to assemble, bear arms, Miranda rights, or it could be an overlooked one, like the right to education. But did the right-to-die appear on your list? Should it be on this list, especially for people facing a terminal illness.
- If you find the right-to-die as fitting, you are in the majority of the American public as according to a Pew Research Study, but not with the legal opinion. For the last two decades, around 7 out of 10 Americans approve of this right in the case of a terminal illness, yet only 10 states and D.C. fulfill this right.
- (Why does this matter): Not only does this practice relieve certain patients’ burdens, but it also comments on the way we value living.
Body:
1. Main Idea 1 (30s – minute)
- Some brief definitions:
- Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia
- Consider the public opinion during the 1960s à 70s
- Approval ratings of euthanasia
- Jean Humphry Case
2. Main Idea II (Longest) (1:30 min – 2:30 min)
- Driving Forces
- SUPPORT Paper
- Patient Autonomy is the solution!
- Religious Views
- SUPPORT Paper
- Let’s Talk 1990s
- The rates at which people accepted euthanasia increased.
- Biggest drop in Christian popularity (pew)
- Planned Parenthood v. Casey (?)
3. Main Idea III (~1:30)
- What does the euthanasia scene look like today?
- Celebration of lives
- Poppin the Dom!
- Sarco pod
- Celebration of lives
- Concerns:
- Suicide Contagion
- Role of Doctors
- Hippocratic Oath
- What is dignity and dying?
Conclusion:
- Comment on how personal this topic can be.
- Restate current trend in the United States.
- Remind audience to, especially in November!, value what they have and what they don’t!
Slides:
Intro
- Images representing rights that people could have thought of
- Slide representing right to die
- Pew Research Study graph
Body 1:
- Difference between Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide – Basic Venn Diagram w/ pictures
- Pew Research Graph
- Picture of the Humphrys
Body II:
- Support paper Headline
- Religion stock photo?
- Pew Research Graph
- Christianity rate graph/plot (Pew)
Body III:
- The Dom & Louis Theroux screenshot
- Sarcopod & Headline
- Something Spreading
- Doctors
References:
“Assisted suicide” Legal Information Institute. Cornell Law School,
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/assisted_suicide. Accessed 19 October 2023.
“Euthanasia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euthanasia. Accessed 22 Oct. 2023.
Grove, G., Lovell, M. & Best, M. Perspectives of Major World Religions regarding Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: A Comparative Analysis. J Relig Health 61, 4758–4782 (2022). https://doi-org.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/10.1007/s10943-022-01498-5
Hauser, Christine. “A 3-D Printed Pod Inflames the Assisted Suicide Debate.” The New York Times, Dec. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/12/16/world/europe/suicide-pods-switzerland.html.
“In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace.” Pew Research Center, 7 Oct. 2019, www.pewresearch.org/religion/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace.
Paul, VI. “Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern Word-Gaudium Et Spes.” Vatican Archive, 7 Dec. 1965, www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_cons_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html.
Sinnett, E. R., Rodney K. Goodyear, and Valarie Hannemann. “Voluntary Euthanasia and theRight to Die: A Dialogue with Derek Humphry.” Journal of Counseling and Development : JCD, vol. 67, no. 10, 1989, pp. 568. ProQuest, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1989.tb01331.x.
Wood, Jade, and Justin McCarthy. “Majority of Americans Remain Supportive of Euthanasia.” Gallup, Gallup, Inc, 12 June 2017, news.gallup.com/poll/211928/majority-americans-remain-supportive-euthanasia.aspx.