Comparison Essay: Analyzing Academic Publications

Typically, having the ability to analyze publications offers researchers and scholars an

opportunity to attain the main points of communication form. This ability also allows the

researchers to distinguish the verdict delivered by various texts and offers a suitable opportunity

to utilize the right ones as references. The aspect of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide is

among the significant clinical ethical issues. This has been the center of the discussion by the

American College of Physicians and the various researchers. This paper will analyze and

compare two euthanasia-based academic publications that include “Physician-Assisted Suicide:

Finding a Path Forward in a Changing Legal Environment” by Quill et al. (2017) and “The

Slippery Slope of Legalization of Physician-Assisted Suicide by Kussmaul (2017).”

According to Quill et al. (2017), various arguments can be based on the process of

incorporating the law in physician-assisted care. One of the main arguments presented in this

article is that the patients would need to have control of their lives even when they are at the

point of a terminal illness. When a patient is sick, he or she may reach a point of extreme

suffering. The family members may also undergo psychological distress during this point due to

fear of their loved ones’ death. The aspect of treatment costs is also presented as one amongst

other elements that may further contribute to suffering. Therefore, the article posits that the

suffering triggers the patient’s need to have control even when they are not in the position to

make decisions. The patient determines the level of suffering and the quality of life, which

warrants and necessitates the process of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide.

On the other hand, Kussmaul (2017) postulates an argument that is based on the aspect of

over-exercising the legalization of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. The article utilizes

the Netherlands’ case as an example, where physician-aided suicide was legalized, and