Should We Withhold Life Support? The Mr. Martinez Case
Moral Issues Associated with Limiting Life Support Moral dilemmas arise when contemplating the restriction of life support, as it entails ethical concerns regarding the obligation to uphold life, the alleviation of pain, and the preservation of individual autonomy (Haahr et al., 2019). The moral quandary in Mr. Martinez's situation pertains to the compatibility of life-sustaining interventions, such as ventilation and CPR, with the patient's optimal well-being and standard of living. Ensuring a harmonious equilibrium between these moral standards is crucial in order to arrive at an ethically justifiable option. Ethical Principles Mr. Martinez's case involves the application of several ethical principles, namely autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. The concept of autonomy emphasises the significance of honouring the patient's desires, while beneficence and non-maleficence inform judgements that advance well-being and prevent damage (Cheraghi et al., 2023). Justice guarantees equitable allocation of resources and prioritises the patient's welfare. Important Considerations