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Euthanasia
The question of whether physician-assisted suicide, commonly referred to as euthanasia should be allowed is one that has elicited heated reactions, with both sides giving compelling reasons for their position. Many people argue that a person should have the right to decide how they live and die. Those who choose assisted suicide do so for several reasons, and the fact that a person can be denied the choice of how they die has caused pain and suffering to many. The primary reason why people, especially sick patients choose assisted suicide is that they decide they have suffered enough with no chance of recovery, hence the best thing is for them to die in dignity and end their suffering. However, those opposed to the practice of assisted suicide take the position that human life is sacred, and it is wrong for a person to take a life. The most common support for this position is deontology ethics. A person should have the right to choose the manner in which they die, especially if they are of sound mind; thus, euthanasia should be legalized.
One of the main categories of people in need of euthanasia is terminally ill patients suffering from illnesses such as cancer (Fontalis et al. 409). Cancer is one of the leading causes of death today, and patients usually have to go through grueling treatment plans in an effort to beat the disease. Other illnesses also bring intense pain to the patients, and they have to take many drugs, which may prove ineffective after some time. When a person feels that they can no longer bear the pain and suffering, they should be allowed to die if they choose to. Family and friends also go through a lot of suffering watching their loved ones in pain, and a person can decide to spare their family of the agony by choosing physician-assisted suicide. In such cases, medical professionals usually inform patients that there is nothing more that can be done to alleviate their suffering or make them feel better. Rather than live through excruciating pain every minute of their lives, some people decide that death would be a better option to end their pain and give them rest. Based on such reasoning, it is difficult to deny a suffering person the option of ending their life.
Another common reason for euthanasia is when a person’s quality of life is rapidly deteriorating (Strinic 5). Some illnesses and diseases cause patients to lose some of their bodily functions such as walking, talking, and body movement. In extreme cases, a person can even stop recognizing close friends and family. When a patient finds out that their prognosis is not good and that their quality of life is certain to decrease as their illness progresses, they can choose to die a dignified death. For example, a person could say that they want to say goodbye to their loved ones while they can still recognize them and talk to them, tell them any last messages they have. Dignity is an important part of life, and many people also choose dignity in death. Some people cannot imagine a life in which they have to be cared for around the clock, and they are unable to perform any of their daily routines such as eating, walking, and talking. If a person wishes to avoid such as experience and receive a dignified send-off, it would be wrong to deny them and subject to a situation that would humiliate them.
The freedom of choice is another reason why euthanasia should be legalized all over the world. Currently, only a few countries, such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany have legalized euthanasia. Some states in the US also allow assisted suicide, and these include California, Washington, Colorado, Hawaii, Vermont, and New Jersey (Strinic 10). These regions uphold the freedom of an individual to choose what they do with their lives. If a person wants to die, they should be allowed to because it is their life. A person can also choose assisted suicide if they feel that continuing treatment is too expensive, especially with no cure in sight. For many terminal and incurable illnesses, families may spend a lot of money seeking treatment for their sick loved ones. The patient can choose assisted suicide when they do not want to burden their families and friends or leave them in debt.
The main argument presented against euthanasia is deontology ethics that assert that an action is judged based on whether it is right or wrong, regardless of its consequences. In the case of euthanasia, it should not be allowed because it is essentially the taking of a human life or murder, which is wrong (Fontalis et al 412). However, the topic of euthanasia is a complex one; therefore, it cannot be judged simply as right or wrong. There are many factors at play, such as the reasons for assisted suicide, and those affected by it.
In conclusion, physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia is a controversial topic. Those who support the practice insist that a person should be allowed the freedom to choose what happens to them. Situations such as terminal illness, decreasing quality of life, intense pain, and unaffordable treatment are the main arsons that drive people to choose assisted suicide. The main opposition is that it is wrong to take human life. Euthanasia should be legalized because it gives people, especially those who are sick and suffering a chance at a dignified death, relieving them and their loved ones of pain and anguish.
Works Cited
Fontalis, Andreas, Efthymia Prousali, and Kunal Kulkarni. “Euthanasia and assisted dying: what is the current position and what are the key arguments informing the debate?” Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 111.11 (2018): 407-413.
Strinic, Visnja. “Arguments in Support and Against Euthanasia.” Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research (2015): 1-12.