We should be trusted with making decisions about our own lives. We didn’t choose to be born, but it should be our privilege in a democratic society to decide how we enjoy it and have the right to end it peacefully under physically painful circumstances where even doctors fail. Why should a patient be forced to live if they think their present life has degenerated beyond the point of meaningless, when doctors can’t find a remedy but only provide palliative care? And what if the pain has become unbearable? At this point, if the person is conscious, should have the option of dying peacefully, even if they need a doctor’s assistance in doing it so to make it peaceful.
In any humane or humanistic view of what is good, it is morally wrong to compel hopelessly suffering or irreversibly debilitated patients to stay alive when death is voluntarily elected.
Speaking of doctors, this brings me to my second point, why doctors’ assistance should be legalised. The doctors’ help is vital as they make the death peaceful and painless. But some euthanasia opponents argue that there is some treatment available for patients with extreme cases. But the remedies in nearly all cases are either palliative, which is not a remedy, or one that causes extreme pain. As Christian Barnard at the World euthanasia conference said, “I often believe that death is good medical treatment as it achieves what all the medical advances and technology can’t achieve in every case today, that is stop the suffering of the patient.”
Hospice care isn’t the answer for keeping the terminally ill comfortable, even where facilities are ample. Nowhere in the world is there the place to care for that equally humiliating and humiliated example of humanity – the so-called human vegetable kept alive purely by life support systems.
Also, opponents also argue that doctors’ help in suicide is unethical as they are supposed to be on the side of life. But in-fact, the American Medical Association says, ”Physicians dedicate their lives to the alleviation of suffering, to the prolongation of life, and the destinies of humanity.”
They clearly state alleviation of suffering before prolongation of life. So if the reduction of pain would mean letting the person pass on, what would be so unethical about it? But still some mislead critics argue that doctors are breaching the laws of humanity; but what about the laws of nature? These were established long before the laws of mankind. Humanity breached the laws of nature long before the laws of humanity were broken. In-fact the real breach of the laws is not letting a person die peaceful when they are going to die a torturous death anyway.
So as you can see, it is not unethical for a doctor to assist in suicide.
Thirdly, I’d like to address religious ethics. According to critics, God will decide when we die. But should we really listen to this when, as euthanasia supporter Dr. Christian Barnard pointed out, it also says things like, I quote,
“ It is the Christian duty to face maximum pain even if the pain can be eradicated by medial skills.” This basically says to me that if my arm is cut off, I shouldn’t apply a bandage to it. What hypocrisy!! The same people claim reducing suffering is an intervention in God’s act. Come heart surgery for themselves, the same doctor is praised as a Messiah. I would dearly like to take some of the euthanasia opponents to some bedsides in hospitals where relatives and doctors alike are driven mad by patient’s pleas for mercy, crying for a death with dignity. As Seneca quoted in Bolander, “A punishment to few, to some a gift, and to many a favour.” Yes! These patients look at their death as a supreme favour. To argue that it is the Christian duty to conquer pain is fine when your beloved is going into a gentle, peaceful decline. But the suggestion becomes a mockery of lifeless and empty words when you are confronted by a helpless vegetable begging for a release from their harrowing ordeal, hopefully, into a state of peace, calm and bliss.
Death doesn’t scare these people, at the mention of this seemingly dark word, they are overcome by a fit of elation which knows no bounds.
Taking everything into account, it should be up to the individual if they want to die or not. If you believe in fate, fine. But if you don’t want something else to be in control of you, you should be allowed to take your destiny into your own hands; the democratic rights should be in full effect throughout society. A person shouldn’t be forced to live with excruciating pain when there is no remedy, or a remedy which will only increase the pain.
The doctor should have the right to assist someone to put them out of their misery. That is what being a doctor is all about; the alleviation of suffering. And as far as religious ethics go, I’ m sure God doesn’t want his people to suffer, live secluded and meaningless lives.
Does the government have the right to impose a law forcing a human die a painful and cumbersome death?
Therefore, just as we have a right to live, we should have a right to die. A right to die with dignity through euthanasia. A right to live and let die.
