George is a successful attorney in his mid-fifties. He is also a legal scholar, holding a teaching post at the local
university law school in Oregon. George is also actively involved in his teenage son’s basketball league,
coaching regularly for their team. Recently, George has experienced muscle weakness and unresponsive
muscle coordination. He was forced to seek medical attention after he fell and injured his hip. After an
examination at the local hospital following his fall, the attending physician suspected that George may be
showing early symptoms for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative disease affecting the nerve
cells in the brain and spinal cord. The week following the initial examination, further testing revealed a positive
diagnosis of ALS.
ALS is progressive and gradually causes motor neuron deterioration and muscle atrophy to the point of
complete muscle control loss. There is currently no cure for ALS, and the median life expectancy is between 3
and 4 years, though it is not uncommon for some to live 10 or more years. The progressive muscle atrophy and
deterioration of motor neurons leads to the loss of the ability to speak, move, eat, and breathe. However, sight,
touch, hearing, taste, and smell are not affected. Patients will be wheelchair bound and eventually need permanent ventilator support to assist with breathing.
George and his family are devastated by the diagnosis. George knows that treatment options only attempt to
slow down the degeneration, but the symptoms will eventually come. He will eventually be wheelchair bound
and be unable to move, eat, speak, or even breathe on his own.
In contemplating his future life with ALS, George begins to dread the prospect of losing his mobility and even
speech. He imagines his life in complete dependence upon others for basic everyday functions and perceives
the possibility of eventually degenerating to the point at which he is a prisoner in his own body. Would he be
willing to undergo such torture, such loss of his own dignity and power? George thus begins inquiring about the
possibility of voluntary euthanasia.
The practice of health care providers at all levels brings you into contact with people from a variety of faiths.
This calls for knowledge and understanding of a diversity of faith expressions; for the purpose of this course,
the focus will be on the Christian worldview.
Based on “Case Study: End of Life Decisions,” the Christian worldview, and the worldview questions presented
in the required topic study materials you will complete an ethical analysis of George’s situation and his decision
from the perspective of the Christian worldview.
Provide a 1,500-2,000-word ethical analysis while answering the following questions:
- How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the
fallenness of the world?
- How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the hope of
resurrection?
- As George contemplates life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), how would the Christian worldview
inform his view about the value of his life as a person?
- What sorts of values and considerations would the Christian worldview focus on in deliberating about
whether or not George should opt for euthanasia?
- Given the above, what options would be morally justified in the Christian worldview for George and why?
- Based on your worldview, what decision would you make if you were in George’s situation?
Remember to support your responses with the topic study materials.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student
Success Center. An abstract is required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar
with the expectations for successful completion.
Sample Solution
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