Why I believe Euthanasia Should be banned

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Why I believe euthanasia should be banned

Euthanasia is defined as ending of a life to relieve suffering, or mercy killing.  It is a terrible act that goes against the moral principle, religious ground and the right of person to live.  Let me start my argument against euthanasia with this question.  Since when do we call murder an act of mercy?  For euthanasia is just that, murder!  No one has the licence to kill.  If we choose to give ourselves that permit, then we erode our own respect for our own lives. Legalised euthanasia will allow carers a legal license to terminate life, thus become murderers.  Besides, it goes against many moral and religious principle, euthanasia also violates the International Code of Medical Ethics and the Hippocratic Oath.

The main argument for the legalisation of euthanasia is that it is the patient’s choice to end their own suffering.  To this statement I offer this rebuttal, when it becomes the family’s choice and not the individual’s choice, then isn’t this involuntary?  An example of this is Terri Schiavo, she was thought to be in a permanent vegetative state (or PVS) when she actually was in what is known as locked-in syndrome.  A person with locked-in syndrome (or LIS) is fully aware of their surrounding and can hear and remember all conversations that take place around them, but they can’t respond.  They still can experience life, yet because of the similar diagnosis of PVS and LIS, there is the danger of doctors and loved ones assuming the worst, for the only way of telling the difference is through a CAT scan.  If it is PVS the person as no brain activity, LIS will have it.  Terri Schiavo was diagnosed incorrectly with PVS. Her husband, Michael Schiavo subjected her to a painful death by dehydration, thinking she wouldn’t feel it.

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This leads me to my next point.  If euthanasia was permitted, then this would lead to abuse in euthanasia.  We can clearly see an example of this in Holland, where statistics of euthanasia have skyrocketed out of control.  A survey carried out in the nation has shown that in 1995, out of 4500 deaths through euthanasia, 900 were unauthorised by either family or patient.  A frightening account of this is told to us by supposed PVS patient Kate Adamson.  She spoke of the time that the hospital removed her feeding tube without her or her husband’s consent.  It was ...

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