Individuals who suffer from terminal illness must be given the choice of whether or not to commit suicide. Better yet, they might as well let someone else murder them instead. Furthermore, if an individual is already dying, everyone present should act as bystanders while they die rather than rushing to extend a helping hand. While these claims may seem inhumane at first glance, let me assure you that my intentions are only ones from compassion. I believe that the practice of euthanasia should be available as an option for any human whose illness has brought them severe anguish, or to an incurable state.
Euthanasia derives from the Greek to “good death”, but is otherwise referred to as “mercy killing” (Wells, Frey & Cataldo, 2013). When performing the practice of euthanasia, it is either active or passive. Active means that a physician or nurse will be deliberately injecting or supplying the drug to the patient, whereas passive refers to the restraint of medical care (p. 1282). In addition to being active and passive, it is also voluntary and involuntary. When an individual wishes and requests to die they are voluntarily participating. Consequently, if an individual is in a coma or is mentally incapable of making an informed request, someone else makes the decision which results in involuntarily participating (p.1283) While euthanasia has caused major controversy around the globe throughout history, it still remains as a topic up for debate today.
Euthanasia Throughout History
Different methods of euthanasia have been practiced universally throughout history. For example, soldiers would perform “coup de grâce”. The French term translates to “stroke of grace” and was used to kill any fellow soldier who was greatly injured to end his misery, as well as to leave his fate out of the hands of the enemy if he were to be captured (p. 1283). A variety of ancient societies also practiced acts of euthanasia on infants with birth defects, similarly, they also were tolerable of elders who would starve themselves to death. Despite euthanasia being prohibited under the Hippocrates Oath, ancient Roman and Greek physicians still supplied poison to their patients (ProCon.org, 2017).
Opinions changed to be against euthanasia due to the dominance of Christianity from the twelfth century up to the eighteenth century, despite the renaissance enlightenment, and the Revolutionary war which brought along a new acceptance of suicide (ProCon.org, 2017). It was not until the twentieth century that opinions and movements were being formed again in favour of euthanasia. From the feature film “The Black Stork”, which was based on the 1915 infant euthanasia controversy in Chicago, onwards to the economic sufferings of the great depression in the 1930’s, support behind euthanasia continued to grow. While there was some push back during World War II when the acts of the Nazi’s were being brought to light, euthanasia regained the support of the public in the 1970’s. So where are we now?
The Debate Today
The practice of euthanasia impacts several different groups in society. While the general public all has their own opinions, the dominant forces involved with the debate are: the members of government, healthcare professionals, and the religious groups.
Euthanasia is illegal in most countries around the world. However, on June 17, 2016 the Supreme Court of Canada passed Bill C-14. (Government of Canada, 2017). Bill C-14 allows individuals, who are fully eligible, to participate in either active or passive forms of euthanasia. Canada, known for it’s kind hearted nature, has been ranked as the second best country overall for two years in a row (U.S. News, & World Report L.P., 2017). Not only has Canada achieved that, but this year they were ranked as the top seed when it came to quality of life. Canadians must be on to something.
Physicians are dedicated to their primary goal of eliminating sickness and restoring health. So understandably, many health care professionals become uneasy at the thought of purposefully ending their patient’s life through euthanasia. Not only do
After countless years of hard work and dedication during schooling to be able to practice medicine, physicians are not ones to give up easily. It forces them to re evaluate where the line is and when it has been crossed.