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Essay / Why Euthanasia Should Be Legal: Analysis of Arguments and Counterarguments
Table of ContentsIntroductionBackgroundWhy Euthanasia Should Be LegalReason 1Reason 2Reason 3CounterargumentsConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionEuthanasia, the act of giving individuals the right to choose to end their suffering caused by terminal illnesses or debilitating conditions, has been the subject of intense political and ethical debate. Views differ on whether euthanasia constitutes murder or a compassionate choice. Currently, government laws prevent access to euthanasia to those who need it most, forcing them to endure a life of pain and suffering. This highlights the importance of considering why euthanasia should be legal in this essay. Granting patients the autonomy to make this decision would honor their right to choose how they wish to approach their final moments and end their unbearable suffering. Additionally, legalizing euthanasia could ease the burden on families by reducing the financial burden of hospital care and prolonged medical treatment. Legalizing euthanasia would be a step towards recognizing the dignity of people facing insurmountable pain and the importance of respecting their wishes in these difficult times. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayBackgroundAlthough euthanasia has recently received media coverage, euthanasia dates back to early times. In fact, the ancient Greeks believed that there should be no reason for a person to continue living when they don't want to be alive in the first place. Euthanasia, which means “good death” in Greek, is an easy and peaceful way to exit life. There are many types of euthanasia: passive, active, voluntary, non-voluntary and involuntary. Passive euthanasia occurs when a person stops life-sustaining treatment, resulting in death. Active euthanasia involves using lethal substances to end a patient's life. Voluntary is the practice of ending life in a painless manner. The involuntary act is illegal and is considered murder since it is committed on a patient who did not have consent or did not want to die in the first place. In Texas, “mercy killing or euthanasia is neither condoned nor permitted under Texas law, nor is any act or omission other than allowing the natural process of dying” (Euthanasia Laws ). In all other countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, euthanasia is considered illegal and people will face prison sentences for euthanasia. Fortunately, there are countries that have legalized euthanasia, for example Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium and some states in the United States. States. In fact, the Netherlands was the first country to legalize euthanasia in 2002. Today, "a Dutch organization that performs euthanasia received 3,122 requests last year, an increase of 22% per year." compared to the previous year” (Corder). When the Netherlands legalized euthanasia, other countries quickly followed suit, making people with terminal illnesses want to be euthanized. To be able to undergo the procedure, one must be 18 years old, reside in a state where euthanasia is legal and, most importantly, have two doctors determine if the patient is capable of undergoing euthanasia. Minors aged 16 to 17 can request euthanasia only if it is their sole decision, but parents must be informed. As for the patient's right, he has the rightto refuse treatment and no doctor, government or person is allowed to force the patient to perform the procedure. Why Euthanasia Should Be Legal Reason 1 When a person is in critical condition, having the right to choose to die gives them a sense of control. People make their own decision whether they want to be alive or not and do so if it's what they think is best for them. In life, people are able to decide what they want to do for their career, believe in their own religion, start a family and make choices about their life based on their own expectations, values and emotions. It is their own responsibility that will guide their actions. In this case, a person who is not able to do things for themselves, such as eating or going to the toilet, can be degrading and having the possibility of dying is the only option they can do for themselves . Kevin Davis, a 60-year-old man who suffered from terminal kidney cancer, “was angry that he could not choose a dignified death once his suffering became too much to bear” (Davis). Since Kevin had cancer, he could no longer use his legs and could only crawl around his house. Two years before Kevin was diagnosed with terminal cancer, his mother died of cancer, causing Kevin to choose to have the right to die, allowing him to not die the same way as his mother. Unfortunately, in the UK, where Kevin lived, he did not have the option of euthanasia. When Kevin was unable to obtain euthanasia, he took matters into his own hands and committed suicide. If only euthanasia was an option, Kevin could have died peacefully in bed with his family by his side, and not in a pile of blood. What happened to Kevin Davis shouldn't happen to anyone else. Everyone should have the right to choose what happens to them. Of course, everyone would like to live as long as possible, but that can change when a person is diagnosed with an incurable illness, leaving options, such as death, to have a sense of control. Reason 2: Suffering every day is very heartbreaking and with euthanasia, it can end their suffering. Doctors try to find cures and save lives, but sometimes there is nothing they can do when a patient is suffering from a terminal illness. The patient must engage in a constant struggle which can easily result in euthanasia. Nowadays, medical technology is improving, allowing people to live longer and helping to improve the management of health problems. However, using medical technology with someone with a terminal illness causes them pain and suffering on a daily basis. For example, as Ronald Dworkin recounts, “Lillian Boyes, an English woman who suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis, begged her doctor to help her die because she could no longer stand the pain” (De La Torre) . Another example can also be a terminal illness like cancer, where a patient receives chemotherapy, a radioactive drug that poisons the body. Chemotherapy leads to side effects like vomiting, hair loss, headache, abdominal and muscle pain, etc. where one can barely manage the pain. Without euthanasia, a terminally ill patient will have to continue taking medication for an illness that doctors cannot cure. The suffering is there for them every second, and legally, it cannot stop. As illness and health conditions worsen, these people struggle not only physically but also emotionally, and they have little interest in life except to die. In this state. 2020.