Another popular argument is that people should not be
left lingering in pain. They should not have to suffer
when death is inevitable. People do have the right to
commit suicide, although most of the time it is a tragic
and individual act. However euthanasia is not suicide. It
is not always a private act, meaning a person could have
the support of his/her family or friends.
Many people argue, however, that a person who is
terminally ill may make a miraculous recovery - it has
happened in the past. Most terminally ill people whose
pain and sufferings are relieved by excellent care, given
by hospices, hospitals and GPs do not require to make
decisions about euthanasia. It is only needed for those
whose pain is not relived with any form of care or whose
bodily disintegration is beyond bearing. Also, some may
debate that a person may be only wanting to commit
suicide because of a suicidal tendency, and is
exaggerating their pain in order to die. When a sick or
elderly patient asks for euthanasia, it can sometimes be
caused by psychological and emotional pressures. How can
we be sure it is what they really one and not just
because they feel a burden to their families?
Medical advances in recent years have made it
possible to keep terminally ill people alive for beyond a
length of time, without any hope of recovery or
improvement. For this reason the ‘living ill’ has come
into use in the USA as part of the right-to-die
principle. Most states now legally allow the making of
such wills that instruct, GPs etc., to suspend treatment
or refuse life-support measures in hopeless cases.
A pro-longed life can be intolerable for people with
a condition which leaves the brain alert but eventually
shuts down all bodily functions and skills of
communicating. How can people be expected to live like
this? For people like this and also people in PVS,
(persistent vegetative state) Many people believe that
their legal representatives or close family should have
the choice and the trust to let them live a prolonged
life or to end their life and let them die with dignity.
If people could make the decision themselves then the
option of euthanasia could be morally acceptable.
On the other hand, people believe that no one has the
right to play God. Christians believe that we are made in
the image of God and therefore human life is God’s gift
to us and is uniquely precious - we are not the owners of
life, but it’s caretakers, we belong to God because he
made us. Many religions follow this belief, so do not
believe in suicide and assisted dying. The opposition to
euthanasia does not mean that people insist on medical
treatment at all costs. Good medical practice is the
alternative to euthanasia. Sometimes a difference is made
between active euthanasia (e.g. Giving a lethal
injection) and positive euthanasia (withdrawing
treatment). However it is misleading to describe
withholding or discontinuing treatment as ‘euthanasia
unless it is done with the intention of killing the
patient.
So, should we allow people the choice of when they
die? The debate about euthanasia props up all the time,
even when it is not publicized, it is still happening
secretly all the time. As an issue euthanasia refuses to
die. Everyone has their own opinion on it, with many
people wanting to see a change in the law. I think that
there are three major sides in this debate: the people
involved, the law and the religious and moral side. Each
side raises very substantial factors and queries.
Legally, euthanasia is against the law. Simply put is it
murder. The law is established by the religious and moral
arguments, remembering that one of the ten commandments
is ‘thou shalt not kill´. But as in other areas in life,
people come around as the years pass on and they become
more accepting of others needs.
With euthanasia, there is a swelling amount of
doctors who would like it legalized.
People may agree or disagree, but who can really know
what they feel about the issue, until they are actually
in that situation? At the moment, I believe that if I was
faced with the fact that a terminally ill relative who
was in a great deal of pain wanted to die, I would go
along with what they wanted. I would not want to see them
suffer, but this is only what I think now. I have never
been in such a situation, and hope I never will, but if I
was maybe I would hold a different view. Although, if a
dog or cat is suffering, the vet is called and the animal
is put to sleep. The owner is upset over the loss but
they feel that they have done the right thing, by putting
the pet out it’s misery.
I do not think we can look at human life in the same way
however, as humans are treated better than animals and
have more respect. But what is better, letting someone
suffer a prolonged and very painful life, or allowing
them to die with dignity , in peace and without pain?