Euthanasia is currently illegal throughout the world apart from the state of Oregon and some European countries 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. It is practised throughout Netherlands although it remains illegal.
One of the main reasons why euthanasia should be legalised is because most feel it is much better to have an easy peaceful death than a long lingering painful one. Many terminally ill patients suffer from 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 ‘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. Others may argue that humans cannot guarantee that a patient is definitely going to die and that they may have a miraculous recovery which has happened on numerous occasions in the past. Although its unlikely and medical advances have proved correct 9 out of 10 times religion argues that we are loosing one human out of every ten due to euthanasia. Religion also teaches that God decides if a person deserves to be cured as a result of their prayers or because of their good actions and that his decision is final. As God is seen as all good he must be causing suffering for a particular reason and that he must see something good out of it. Euthanasia is stopping Gods wishes or disregarding him and in doing so we are causing ourselves to be sinned. We are seen as God’s servants and thus have no right over one another. We are not owners of life, but its caretakers because we belong to God who has full right over us just like you have right over something you own.
However this view can be argued from the contrary as it can be said that if God is all good then he would not cause relations and loved ones suffering when they see their family and friends in pain. Therefore death may be a way of a ‘happy release’ for them. The patients usually 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.
Terminally ill patients are often relieved by excellent care, given by hospices, hospitals and GPs and so euthanasia does not need to be considered. Putting euthanasia into action in such situations can cause a huge amount of disagreement even though death is inevitable. People argue that the only time euthanasia can be put into action is when no form of medication or care can relieve the patient or when bodily disintegration is beyond bearing.
People see life as a gift from God and it is sacred. Euthanasia devalues life, making it something disposable. This is also in a way betraying God and your faith, showing you do not care 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 God is doing wrong and so turn to euthanasia in an attempt to help them. 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.
The one question that always arises with the issue of euthanasia is that when do we actually know that a person really wants to die. Sometimes ill patients can be exaggerating their pain in order to die or can be caused by psychological and emotional pressures. They may feel a burden to their family or may not understand their illness.
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. People cannot be expected to live like this and the decision comes down to human morals. People believe that in these circumstances 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. I believe that if the people involved can make the decision themselves then it could be morally acceptable. The Queen mother had also asked for the doctors to switch off the life support machine if she was ever terminally ill. This shows that euthanasia although illegal is still practiced by making it appear legal and not claiming that is was actually euthanasia. Everyday people sit in hospitals in agony due to a law which makes their easy peaceful death illegal.
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. Therefore voluntary euthanasia is what should be legalised and other forms banned. I feel that the government should not have a decision on the life of a patient wanting to die. If God sees it as wrong then it will be them punished not anyone else.
