A Modest Proposal for Euthanasia
Euthanasia is a controversy that cannot be resolved from a single court ruling or a single person’s opinion. Many proposals have been suggested based on various studies and surveys. In “You Say Murder, I Say Euthanasia,” Clair Rayner describes a notable proposal regarding extreme euthanasia cases. The proposal, which has been put into the Science of Museum forum, recommends complex cases to be considered individually. In “Assisted Suicide Largely Shunned,” the anonymous author offers statistics that oppose the ethics of euthanasia.
In “You Say Murder, I Say Euthanasia,” Rayner commences the article by describing the exhibits of the Science Museum. One exhibit that the author discusses has a personal computer that operates as a euthanasia machine. The machine was given to the museum from the Voluntary Euthanasia Research Foundation of Australia. Many disabled people and euthanasia advocates relate differently to these exhibits presented in the museum. Rayner then introduces her proposal stating that complex cases, sometimes involving facts that are sometimes overlooked by court systems, need to be carefully examined individually (Rayner 31). Her proposal is based on the fact that the number of people who want voluntary euthanasia is small compared to the numbers who do not want treatment for euthanizing purposes. Legislation has offered laws that prohibit euthanasia in many areas but also permit it in other areas. Laws regarding euthanasia are useless when contemplating whether to euthanize a human being due to the fact that every case is unique.
Rayner introduces us to the case involving Tony Bland, which serves as a precedent to the proposal. “When Tony Bland was app...
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Rayner, in his article, proposes a solution that would solve a lot of problems when doctors are confronted with the ethical dilemma of euthanasia. The idea that every case is distinct and needs to be analyzed individually is a noteworthy suggestion. Rayner does a plausible job in outlining the proposal in an orderly fashion. The author in the second article, however, presents a narrow-minded viewpoint that ignores the other side of the issue at hand. The statistics are disorganized and not supported by the author’s own thoughts and ideas. Despite this fact, the article supports the cons of euthanasia by exposing the audience to a number of surprising statistics regarding euthanasia.
Works Cited
Rayner, Clair. “You Say Murder, I Say Euthanasia.” New Statesman June 2000: 31
“Assisted Suicide Largely Shunned.” The Christian Century Dec 2000: 1267
Bibliography:.. Bernard, Neal, Ed. & Co. d. a. a. a. a. a. Euthanasia: Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints Series, Series Eds. David L. Bender and Bruno Leone.
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