Merriam-Webster dictionary defines euthanasia as “ the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (such as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.”
Euthanasia comes from the Greek words, Eu (good) and Thanatosis (death), and it means “Good Death,” “Gentle and Easy Death.” Starting, euthanasia has been practiced over time in various ways by ancient Israel, India, Ancient Rome, and Middle Age Europe. There are two kinds of euthanasia: active and passive, active is when something is done to end the patient’s life, and passive is when the patient is neglected when the doctors could have continued their lives. In America, euthanasia is currently legal in seven states and shows little signs of legalization elsewhere. Furthermore, certain doctors, like Jack Kevorkian who’s famous for advocating and practicing suicide, was sentenced 25 years in jail(only serving 8 for good behavior) after performing several unethical euthanizations. Euthanasia should not be legalized because some patients are mentally unstable, the act is morally wrong, and the pain and suffering patients are feeling could be managed.
However, there are many opposing viewpoints to this argument. Some believe that humans in suffering should be put out of their misery like sick dogs. Fortunately, it does not have to mean the end of their lives, it only means they have to fight harder. Even though death is inevitable, and terminal patients have less time on earth, doesn’t that just make their time left here more valuable? In other arguments, people say that euthanasia is more dignified than dying naturally of a disease, but would it not be more dignified and honorable to persist and live life, instead of giving up and choosing to die?
To begin, receiving news they’re suffering from a terminal disease can greatly affect a patients mental health. The idea that they may die anyways makes them choose a sooner death over the rest of their lives. Euthanasia can also sound more plausible to patients with worse illnesses (Miller, Rudden, et al). Dr. Earl Cheng, MD is a pediatric urology specialist in Chicago, IL and has been practicing for 31 years. He specializes in pediatric urology and is extremely intelligent and nationally respected. To begin, when asked if patients considering euthanasia are mentally unstable or making poor decisions based on mental health he said,
The practice of euthanasia is extremely controversial, and I understand those who advocate for it and those who think it’s not appropriate. I think one has to realize there is no one perfect answer, a single approach to it isn’t adequate. When someone considers euthanasia, a controversial option in medicine, you need to individualize care, when your talking about an individual who may not have the mental capacity to make an educated decision themselves and the mental capacity certainly, they should not be allowed to make a decision that would result in, obviously, the termination of their lives.
Obviously, patients hearing they have a terminal illness, that will eventually kill them, clouds their judgement and makes them lean more to suicide then alternative options. Above all, if a patient is considered mentally unstable, or simply panicking from their disease, they can be comforted and treated by psychiatrists. There are many psychiatrists who specialize in helping people cope with their fatal illnesses, helping them see it through to the end.(Hendin, Radtke, et al)
Another argument against euthanasia is that it is a moral outrage and a sin in most religions. It is clearly said in the Ten Commandments as “Thou shall not kill” no matter the circumstances. Also, most major faith groups, including Catholic, Mormons, Muslims, and Jews, have published their opposition to assisted suicide (Somerville, Smith, et al). Each religion that does not support euthanasia, usually believes that God, not them, should decide when it is their time to die. Surprisingly, euthanasia also goes against the Hippocratic oath (a oath for physicians created to make sure they follow proper ethics) which states “I will keep (the sick) from harm and injustice. I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect.” Starting the discussion of moral issues and euthanasia Dr. Cheng responded
I think when your talking about morals and religion, there is no right answer. When you talk about morality and religion I truly believe that when one is a physician, and is trying to facilitate the needs of the patients, unless the patient wants to bring in morals and religion I don’t necessarily believe it is fair for me to part my religious beliefs on another individual and if you asked me If euthanasia is completely a moral issue I’d say no, physicians jobs are to facilitate and care for their patients, and each individual has different ethics that should be carried out in different ways.
To put it clearly euthanasia clearly violates what’s ethically correct, not only for most religion, but also for what it means to be a doctor.
Also, fatal illnesses, to no one’s surprise, psychologically and physically torment patients, making them jump to the idea of euthanasia.
Asking how may a patient may choose euthanasia because of the pain they’re experiencing and how it may be managed, Dr. Cheng responded
So the bottom line is I think most people that would consider euthanasia are in such a great combination of emotional and physical pain to where they feel the ending of the life is more satisfactory to their needs as opposed to prolonging the situation that is associated with terminal distress and a lot of negative issues. You have to individualize the care of the individual, there is no right or wrong answer.
Although there are alternatives to euthanasia that can successfully manage patients pain. To help the pain certain medications and palliative care services can be used to help quell a patients pain. If a patient’s disease affects them psychologically more than physically, trained psychiatrists are experienced in helping people cope with terminal diseases. Palliative care is a specialized form of medicine that aims to enhance the quality of life of patients and their families who are faced with serious illness. It focuses on increasing comfort through the prevention and treatment of distressing symptoms (Morrow). Even though some patients could be considered too in pain to have an enjoyable life, only 1-4% of patients experience pain so severe they need to be sedated (Chambaere, et al). Completely using all of these important and often functional treatments is necessary before euthanasia should even be considered.
In conclusion, due to mental instability caused by terminal illness, a disposal of morals, and that their (a patients) pain can be treated, euthanasia should not be legalized. Euthanasia is a choice hastily made, by often mentally unstable patients, who leap to euthanasia before considering other alternatives. The ethics of euthanasia violate every major religion and the Hippocratic oath. Also, euthanasia has many alternatives for people considering it due to their pain and suffering. Euthanasia is difficult because it is considered justifiable in some cases. Unfortunately, People cloud their head with the idea that assisted suicide isn’t still murder, because the person will die eventually anyways. After everything is said and done, euthanasia is a devaluement of life and an easy way out. Possessing the knowledge of a near death, and the fear caused by it, should not dictate when someone should die, even if it is their choice.
Chambaere, et al “Some Reasons Why Assisted Suicide Should NOT be Legal”,
EuthanasiaFree-NZ, Ponsonby, Auckland 1144, New Zealand
Cheng, Earl. Telephone interview. 20 April, 2019
Hendin, Radtke, et al. Physician Assisted Suicide, Thomson Gale, Farmington Hills,
Michigan, 2006
Miller, Rudden, et al. Terminal Illness, Thomson Gale, Farmington Hills, Michigan, 2005
Morrow, Angela “Palliative Care Overview and Examples” Dotdash Publishing, Dec 6,
2018
Somerville, Smith, et al. The Right to Die, Thomson Gale, Farmington Hills, Michigan,
2006
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