Euthanasia - is it right?

Euthanasia is currently illegal throughout the world apart from the state of Oregon where a law has been introduced which gives permission to doctors to give patients a lethal drug for the purpose of Euthanasia. However there are certain rules and requirements in order to give this drug to a patient. I strongly believe that everyone has the right to make their own decision on what they wish to do and therefore I personally only agree with voluntary euthanasia.

One of the main reasons why euthanasia should be accepted is that it is much better to have an easy peaceful death than a long lingering painful one. Many terminally ill patients suffer with huge amounts of pain, which cannot be controlled as well as other distressing symptoms such as sickness, which cannot always be relieved by medicine. Euthanasia is a way of freeing these people. On the other hand it can be argued that euthanasia is a form of murder, which Is why it is illegal. It is also like ‘playing God’ to decide when a person’s life should end and because God gave us life many religions argue that he alone has the right to decide when life should end.

In addition, relations and loved ones suffer when they see their loved ones in pain and therefore death may be a way of a ‘happy release’. These people feel that they do not deserve this and they should be given permission to peacefully kill themselves. The government reviewed this issue at the end of 1999 and they decided that euthanasia should remain illegal. People still argue that simple injections can quickly and humanely end this huge amount of suffering and it is probably a more pleasant way to die rather than in pain.

It can be argued that sometimes doctors do make mistakes and miracles can happen where people who are terminally ill, get better. Putting euthanasia into action in such a situation can cause a huge amount of disagreement.

People see life, as a gift from God and it is sacred. Euthanasia devalues life making it something disposable. This in a way is betraying God and showing that you do not care. This is also in a way betraying God, which is very wrong in the eyes of religious people. However people should be freed from their suffering and as God is good and all knowing he would approve of putting somebody out of their misery. I have always supported euthanasia because when I see terminally ill patients suffering I feel that they should be given an easy death. Many will argue that the elderly should be looked after and cared for, not got rid of. However euthanasia is not a way of getting rid of someone but actually only freeing them of the immense pain which doctors know they are going through.

In conclusion, I accept that euthanasia is ‘playing God’ however I agree with it simply because I feel that people should not suffer and should die peacefully only if they wish.