3. A doctor is treating Mario, a patient who is dying of lung cancer. Neither chemotherapy nor radiation has been successful in treating his cancer, and Mario is now a hospice patient with less than six months to live. Mario who is obviously in great pain in spite of heavy doses of painkillers , begs the doctor to "help me end it "The doctor writes a prescription for a large quantity of oral morphine and tells the patient, "It's up to you how much of this you take at one time." Law Ethics D Both

This scenario involves both legal and ethical considerations. From a legal perspective, the doctor's actions could potentially be seen as assisting in suicide, which is illegal in many jurisdictions. However, the doctor may argue that they are simply providing Mario with the means to end his suffering, which could be seen as a form of palliative care.<br /><br />From an ethical perspective, the doctor's actions could be seen as violating the principle of autonomy, which states that individuals have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives. However, the doctor could also argue that they are respecting Mario's autonomy by giving him the choice to take his own life.<br /><br />Overall, this scenario is complex and could be interpreted differently depending on one's perspective. It is important for healthcare professionals to carefully consider the legal and ethical implications of their actions when treating patients who are facing difficult decisions.