Euthanasia is an issue that has been in the center of many heated debates for several years. It is prohibited in all fifty states of the United States under homicide laws and in England with a fourteen year imprisonment, but it is legal in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands (“Euthanasia and Physician”). Euthanasia comes from the ancient Greek word euthanatos, which means easy death. Today, the definition of euthanasia is the direct killing of a person with a disabi¬lity or terminal illness to relieve them of their sufferings. Very often people will call euthanasia mercy killing mainly because the method is to put a person out of their pain (“Euthanasia”). Euthanasia can be done by either taking actions or not providing what is necessary to keep a person alive and is either carried out through recommendations, a person’s request, family or society burdens, or the scarcity of medical resources (“Euthanasia and Physician”). Because a precious human life is not a burden, we should not interfere with God’s business in life and death, and since the practice of euthanasia can lead to abuse, euthanasia should not be allowed.
Euthanasia is and will always be one of the leading ethical issues present in the world. There are strong arguments present on both sides of the issue including that of one of the most influential institutions on the planet; the Catholic Church. The Church has, and always will be against the killing of a human being. This applies to euthanasia: “An action or omission which of itself and by intention causes death, with the purpose of eliminating all suffering.” (Pope John Paul II - Evangelium Vitae). The Church also refers to euthanasia as “assisted suicide” and the “mercy killing”. “Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable. Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church – 2277).
“Euthanasia is the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit” (“What is Euthanasia” 2). It is accompanied with cases where patients suffering from intractable medical conditions and waiting the death to get rid of their torment and sorrows ask their doctor to put an end to their lives. Also where relatives ask the doctor to accomplish this mission in order to relieve the pain of their patient especially in the case of lastin¬g coma and terminal illness: these cases raised the issue of euthanasia, which has become one of the contentious issues in the world. Euthanasia is illegal in the majority of countries all over the world but “it has been accepted in the Netherlands for over 20 years and a law was passed in 2000 to regulate this and Belgium passed a similar law in 2001and also in the US, one state, Oregon, has had a Physician Assisted Suicide law since 1998” (Henness 3). Moreover, it is very necessary to prohibit mercy killing because it violates human rights and contradicts religions and destroys the patient-doctor relationship.
“Euthanasia”
As to whether euthanasia should be legalized or not, has been one of the most controversial topics in the United States of America and throughout the world. Euthanasia in simple terms can be referred to as an easy, painless, intentional killing of an individual in an effort to eliminate that individual’s suffering as a result of terminal illness. It is an accepted practice in very few countries around the world and only in certain states of the United States of America and should not be legalized for many reasons.
The most paramount reason why euthanasia should not be legalized is that it can cause premature death. Although many say it should be reserved as a last resort, euthanasia can be chosen by a patient due to depression.
The term Euthanasia originated from the Greek word for “good death.” It is the act of or practice of ending the life of a person either by lethal injection or the suspension of medical treatment (ProCon.org, 2013). Euthanasia is a controversial issue that compares one’s quality of life to ethics. Euthanasia can be examined as a form of suicide or a form of being merciful. Even so, does humanity have the right to determine if someone should die or not? Many that are governed by a faithful belief may see Euthanasia as a practice against the will of God. However, others may believe that mankind has the choice over their own lives, and that the belief of God is a theory.
Euthanasia, also commonly referred to as mercy killing or assisted suicide, is the painless killing of a person suffering from an incurable and painful disease or condition, by a physician. The reason for euthanasia being such an arguable topic is due to society's differing opinions. Some believe that it is humane to put someone out of their misery, while others argue that it is not okay to kill someone under any circumstance. Let's analyse two controverting articles on the matter.
Proponents of euthanasia argue that "mercy-killing" is necessary because patients, particularly those with terminal illness, experience uncontrollable pain(1). They argue that the only way to alleviate the pain is to eliminate the patient. But is there a better way? This essay proves that there is a better way, and this medical opinion is backed up by the best medical opinion available.
A universal truth that has forever been a part of the living experience is the unavoidable fact that all that has lived must also die; it is an inevitable and ultimately unstoppable conclusion. Therefore it is not unusual that humans have always had a fascination with death, whether it is in the mysteries in the hereafter, or the preoccupation with forestalling death (or even in hastening the eventual demise). Consequently, the control of ones’ own death has been a controversial, emotional topic that is continually being hashed out time after time. Bypassing the ethically charged matter of suicide, one moves on to the question of whether ending the life of someone to cease their suffering is wrong. The process of human euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide is meant to provide a means for the terminally-ill and those who are suffering unbearably a way to die with dignity and peace; it should be a right considered a universal due when deemed necessary and not a crime punishable with imprisonment. Euthanasia is never a situation or an event that should be taken lightly as no life itself should ever be considered as frivolous or unimportant; that being said, euthanasia should be a viable option for those that truly need it.
“Euthanasia: A law meant to be broken?”
“The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government .” (Thomas Jefferson.) Advancements in contemporary medical technologies have served to deny individuals the right to die. However, it may be argued euthanasia has emerged with the purpose of reclaiming that right. The expression ‘euthanasia’ derives from the Greek words, ‘eu’ meaning ‘well’ and ‘thanatos’ translating to ‘death. ’
People have the right to medical care, but pain and suffering for a person has to be one of the toughest things in life to deal with. In the health care world, few topics create a debate as heated as euthanasia. Euthanasia comes from the Greek word meaning good death. Euthanasia is the practice of ending the life of a person either by lethal injection or the suspension of medical treatment. Most religious beliefs say that God is the only one that has the right to decide the termination of any life. Euthanasia should be a person’s right of choice legally and ethically. People are faced with choices on a daily basis throughout their lives. Having the choice of euthanasia allows a quick, humane, and painless way to end pain and suffering. Even though a religious belief in God to end life and a person’s right to receive treatment, euthanasia should be a person’s choice because it is quick, humane, painless, and ends pain and suffering. Within the past twenty years there are presently countries or states that allow euthanasia as a means to end pain and suffering as a person’s right of choice. The newest state to add to the chart below is Montana in 2010.