Euthanasia, also known as assisted suicide, is a topic that has been heatedly debated for decades because some feel it should not be legalized while others do. Those who are against legalizing active euthanasia argue that “just as abortion targets vulnerable human life at its earliest stages, euthanasia and assisted suicide threaten elderly, sick and disabled persons” (MCCL 2014). In other words, those opposed see euthanasia as another way to manipulate people who may feel depressed because they are ill and are thus led to believe that they should not want to live anymore leaving the only alternative to commit assisted suicide. In contrast, there are others who claim euthanasia should be legalized so people are given the choice to end their life or to continue living because it is their right to make said decision. This paper will examine both sides of this issue as it comes to the ultimate conclusion that euthanasia should be legalized so people have the choice to continue or end their lives.
As mentioned before, those against legalizing euthanasia allege that not only are some patients euthanized without their consent but that there are alternative treatments which should be taken into consideration before deciding on assisted suicide. For example, the Christian Medical Foundation notes how “the hospice movementhas enabled patients’ symptoms to be managed either at home or in the context of a caring-in patient facility” (1997). Now while this may seem as an excellent solution to help ease the patient’s suffering, it does not mention how difficult it can be for the person to get into the hospice program in the first place. For instance, the author of this paper had a close family member who was sick with cancer and was being cared for at home while their children strove to get them into hospice but it took months and by the time they were finally approved, they had already moved on after a great deal of suffering. Thus it is hard to believe that simply easing the symptoms is a better choice then removing the pain altogether so the patient can finally be at peace.
CMF also makes the observation that ending one’s life does not respect the feelings of others (1997) but there are those who would contend that even though they cherish the final moments they had with their loved ones, they felt guilty in making them continue to suffer for their own benefit. This not only applies to humans but animals as well who cannot speak for themselves through words but display how they feel through their eyes and actions thus negating the argument that those who cannot verbally speak for themselves should not be euthanized for it is against their will when there are clearly other forms of communication that should be taken into consideration. Furthermore if a person is elderly then they can take legal action in preparation of such a time where they may not want to be resuscitated thus making it their choice that cannot be taken away from them
In conclusion while CMF declares assisted suicide to be immoral there are others who contest “if death is in a patient’s best interest then death constitutes a moral good” (Doyal 2001). So although there are those who are opposed to assisted suicide whether on moral grounds for the patient’s benefit or because of their own personal belief, euthanasia should be legalized to give the person the right to decide whether they want to continue to suffer until their body finally gives in or to end their life on their terms. This author would personally choose to be able to make that choice for if they are ever sick with cancer that cannot be cured regardless of numerous chemotherapy treatments then they would like to be able to die on their own terms.
Work Cited
Doyal, Len, and Lesley Doyal. "Why Active Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide Should Be Legalised : If Death Is in a Patient's Best Interest Then Death Constitutes a Moral Good." British Medical Journal. BMJ, 10 Nov. 2001. Web. 04 Jan. 2017.
"Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide." MCCL. Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, 2014. Web. 04 Jan. 2017.
"Twelve Reasons Why Euthanasia Should Not Be Legalised." CMF. Christian Medical Fellowship, 1997. Web. 04 Jan. 2017.
