Medically Assisted Suicide- A Blessing for Patients in Terminal Conditions
Medically assisted suicide has been a topic of argument for several years and numerous cases are presented in courts where patients in terminal conditions and their relatives request for medically assisted suicide.
If government makes assisted suicide legal, many people can misuse this facility but it is a blessing for those who are in imminent terminal condition and long for death rather than the pain they are suffering. For instance one of my close relative of about 65 years was in coma for seven years and was alive through feeding tubes. Through medically assisted suicide, he got relief from the pain he was facing since seven years. (Denier, 2013)
Medically assisted suicide or euthanasia is favored by many debaters as they justify that the resources used on patients in terminal conditions can be used on a person who is in a better condition to recover. In cases of terminally ill people, there is no chance of betterment and the money and time is wasted just to keep a person alive and face the pain before death. Economically, it is favored to make euthanasia legal and use the resources on better places. (Jackson & Keown, 2012)
Euthanasia should be made legal, as death is a better option than a bad quality life. People in terminal conditions have no hope and chance of recovery. Doctors are just working to increase the days of life. Therefore, this becomes a painful period for the patient and the relatives attached to him. The relatives not only face the financial burden, but the emotional trauma and inconvenience attached to it are immense.
Although there are various objections to euthanasia, but in my opinion it should be made legal as it gives liberty to a person to decide about his life and it is beneficial for the society as a whole.
References:
Denier, Y. (2013). Justice, luck & responsibility in health care philosophical background and ethical implications for end-of-life care. Dordrecht: Springer.
Jackson, E., & Keown, J. (2012). Debating euthanasia. Oxford, U.K.: Hart.
Healey, J. (2008). Voluntary euthanasia. Thirroul, NSW: The Spinney Press.
Snyder, C. L. (2006). Euthanasia. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
Warnock, M., & Macdonald, E. (2008).Easeful death is there a case for assisted dying?. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
