There is a belief that everyone should have the right to die with dignity, including the right to choose euthanasia. Proponents of euthanasia argue that it is a humane way to end a person’s life and that the individual has the right to choose how they die. They claim that those who are terminally ill or experience rather severe pain should be able to opt for euthanasia instead of having to suffer unnecessarily. I believe that euthanasia should be an option available to those who are terminally ill and have no chance of recovery.
Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering. It is also known as mercy killing or physician-assisted suicide. It is often met with criticism, as some patients may not be in the appropriate mindset and that it may lead to more legal problems (Goodman, 2022). However, others, including myself, argue that euthanasia is moral because it helps another person to die with dignity. It is unfair to force a person to struggle through a debilitating health issue, especially if it has been stated that there is no chance of recovery. They should have the opportunity to make their own choices regarding their help, as opposed to being forced to continue treatment when it simply delays the inevitable outcome. Euthanasia is important because it can help people decide how they want to die.
Negative attitudes surrounding euthanasia are often related to religion and laws. The Catholic Church is strongly opposed to this drastic measure (Goodman, 2022). Besides Catholics, Muslims are strongly opposed to it as well. Regarding euthanasia and legal considerations, the situation is more complicated than it seems. Different countries have different approaches toward euthanasia and different laws that govern the practice.The bottom line here is to make sure people are aware of their local laws before deciding whether to pursue euthanasia for themselves or a loved one. It is worth understanding all the legal implications involved before proceeding.
Currently, the measure is legal in several countries and illegal in others. For example, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium allow euthanasia to be conducted (Goodman, 2022). However, even in locations where it is not, the law is not actually enforced. It was not a subject of debate until the 1900s, when the progress gave doctors the opportunity to extend the patients’ lives for longer time periods than previously.
From my perspective, the procedure has multiple advantages, such as helping people to die with dignity. Euthanasia gives people control over their bodies and death (Goodman, 2022). With euthanasia, patients can escape the problem of guilt among caregivers. A process of emotional healing may develop by assisting someone in achieving their desired level of physical tranquility, allowing everyone to grieve more consistently.
There are many things people might not like about euthanasia. First, there is the worry that euthanasia would be abused. There have indeed been cases of people being coerced into accepting euthanasia, but there are safeguards that can be put in place to prevent this from happening. For example, euthanasia could only be carried out with the explicit consent of the person involved, and there could be a waiting period to ensure that the person is not being coerced. Secondly, some people worry that euthanasia is just too final. They think that people should always be given a chance to recover, no matter how small that chance might be. Though sometimes, people are in so much pain that they would rather die than continue living.
In my opinion, there are some measures that can be taken to resolve some correlated controversies. First, the eligibility criteria should be expanded to include people who are not terminally ill but suffering from incurable, debilitating conditions, like in Canada (Austen, 2022). Second, the law should allow for advance directives so people can make their wishes known ahead of time. Finally, the law should allow more than one physician to be involved in the decision-making process. At the moment, only one physician needs to sign off on the decision, but having multiple physicians involved would provide greater protection for both the patient and the physician. Some pieces of Euthanasia laws should be changed to enhance accountability and transparency.
In conclusion, the decision of whether or not to legalize euthanasia is a complicated one. Weighing the pros and cons, it is up to people to decide what they think is right. For those who favor euthanasia, including myself, the main argument is that it gives people the right to die with dignity and defends bodily autonomy. Moreover, I believe that it will help ease the sufferings of devastatingly ill individuals For those against it, the main argument is that it could be abused and lead to involuntary euthanasia. It is a complex ethical issue with many facets, and people will continue to debate it for years to come. It is important that people educate themselves on the subject to make an informed decision if they ever find themselves in a situation where they have to choose euthanasia.
Reference
Wise, S. (2017). Euthanasia. Mason Crest.
