Argument For Legalizing Euthanasia

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Recommended: Bioethical and legal problems of euthanasia

A patient is diagnosed with brain tumors that have spread to their bones and muscles. The doctor gives them three months to live, but only with the continuation of treatment. They spend most of their remaining time in a hospital receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments. They must be pushed in a wheelchair because they are too sick to walk and spend the rest of their few months in pain, knowing they will die but not sure when. That is how the last few months of Cristy Grayson's life was spent. Now ask yourself, what would you do if you were in this situation? Would you want to spend the last few months of your life unhappy and in pain, or die peacefully? For some, euthanasia is not an option, but for others it is a way to end their suffering and have a peaceful death. Although some view euthanasia to be morally wrong, voluntary euthanasia should be legalized in the United States to end the suffering of others, help patients who have the ability to live a longer life, and decrease the cost of health care. Euthanasia is an act of killing an incurable patient who is suffering or in pain. Euthanasia comes from a Greek expression for “good death” and, in other words, allows the patients to die and easy death without suffering. Euthanasia can be described as voluntary, involuntary or active, and passive. Voluntary euthanasia is being put to death with the consent of the patient; involuntary is where the patient is to ill to give consent, so a physician or close family member gives consent for them. Passive euthanasia is when common treatments, such as, antibiotics, pain medications, or surgery, are withheld. Active euthanasia is the use of lethal substances that will end a patient’s life. No matter what form of euthanasia is used... ... middle of paper ... ...a. Hamlon Kathi. “Could euthanasia or assisted suicide be used as a means of health care cost containment?” Patient’s rights council. Jan. 2010. Web. 21 Nov. 2014. Pearlman, R. "Why Do Patients Request Physician-Assisted Death?” ProConorg Headlines. 10 July 2008. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. Pereira, J. “Legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide.” PMC. 19 June 2012. Web. 5 Dec. 2014. Standley, Tim. "Jack Kevorkian's Horrible Career Offers a Warning against Legalizing Euthanasia." News Jack Kevorkian’s Horrible Career Offers a Warning against Legalizing Euthanasia Comments. 4 June 2011. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. Stevens, Kenneth. "PCCEF - Articles." National Legal Center for the Medically Dependent and Disabled. 2006. Web. 3 Dec. 2014. Swarte, N. "Effects of Euthanasia on the Bereaved Family and Friends: A Cross Sectional Study." BMJ. 24 July 2003. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.

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