Euthanasia Debate
Euthanasia is the practice of voluntarily ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering (Euthanasia.com/definitions). The act of euthanasia differs from the act of murder in that the person who will die makes the decision to end their life. In the case of murder, the person does not wish to end their life, but anther person intervenes to bring about their death against their wishes. Euthanasia is categorized as active and passive (Euthanasia.com/definitions). Passive euthanasia means failure to provide life prolonging medical treatment and letting a disease state take its natural course without intervention. Active euthanasia means to take measures to end a person's life (Euthanasia.com/definitions). When the topic of euthanasia is discussed, active euthanasia is typically to what is being referred.
The debate over whether euthanasia, particularly physician-assisted suicide, is acceptable is a debate of global concern. The question has clearly defined sides of opposition. One that feels assisted suicide is a form of mercy killing and that under certain conditions the patient feels that this is their wish. However, others clearly oppose euthanasia, claiming that regardless of the circumstances, to end someone's life early is wrong. The following will explore both sides of the euthanasia debate.
Proponents
The Netherlands and Switzerland were the first countries to legalize assisted suicide for those that were suffering from a painful or deadly disease (Pollard). The issue in the United States is still hotly debated, with states switching back and forth on the issue continually (Euthanasia.com/history). On the pro-side of euthanasia, it is recognized...
It is considered to be a basic human right to die with dignity (Maisie). Proponents of the right to euthanasia propose that the right to die is a natural extension of a person's right to make their own decisions on any other topic regarding their (Maisie).
The concept that a person has a right to decide whether their life has value to them or not is considered to be a basic human right (Maisie). The right to take one's own life by suicide is considered to be unacceptable in many cultures, therefore it is looked down upon as culturally unacceptable. However, suicide differs from euthanasia in that a person does not have a condition that would shorten their life, or be considered to place them in unbearable pain that is not expected to cease (Euthanasia.com/reasonsforeuthansia). People who commit suicide have hope for a quality life, if they receive help (St. Clair, 2009). Those who consider euthanasia are exercising their right to end their own suffering.
Doctors are at the center of the euthanasia debate. They are in a position where they have an oath to do no harm. Both preserving a life of suffering against the wishes of the patient and ending that life can both be considered doing harm (St. Clair, 2009). Patients have the right to refuse any medical treatment that is against their wishes (Maisie). It is considered to be contradictory to disallow them to end their life in order to end suffering (Maisie). Many of those who support euthanasia do so on the basis of preserving human rights and dignity.
Opponents
However, those that oppose the right to die do so on the basis of fears…
