Euthanasia is the act of taking a life in order to relieve suffering. The word originates from Greek it means good death. In voluntary euthanasia the sufferer asks for measures to be taken to end his or her life. This is because the sufferer believes life is not worth living no more. To accomplish euthanasia there is usually an administration of a drug. Another way to achieve euthanasia is by passive euthanasia whereby there is a deliberate withholding of treatment.
Euthanasia candidates believe there is a distinct difference between suicide and euthanasia. Euthanasia is repeatedly mistaken for suicide. Many religions like Catholicism have a strong belief against suicide. Muslims believe that if you commit suicide you will go to hell once you die. That is why euthanasia is not actively practised in Muslim countries.
The medical equipment in third world countries is not as advanced as ours. So many people tend to die naturally anyway, because there is no such equipment to keep them alive. Which in a sense could be called euthanasia anyway. Despite this, the concept of compulsory euthanasia would be respectively rejected within these societies due to the religion.
‘Human life’ is a group of doctors who are against the legalisation of euthanasia. They believe, objections from doctors moral grounds could lead to ‘Poor job prospects for doctor who aren’t willing to kill their patients on request.’ This quote exemplifies a valid point against euthanasia. Which should be taken into consideration within this argument.
However patients argue that once you are terminally ill and machines are keeping you alive, then you are already dead. There are some patients that believe using machines is ‘an act of cruelty’ and that it is ‘degrading because technology has taken over from human will’. Life is seen as not worth living by euthanasia candidates. They fall into deep depression and begin to believe the only way to relieve them and their suffering family is by peacefully killing themselves. Many people believe these patients want to die because they are ‘unaware of what makes their human existence meaningful.’ In other words they become one-minded and begin to neglect their options and prefer to take the easy option out. Which is ironic because you have to fight to get the right to commit euthanasia in this country.
If euthanasia was legalised a benefit to society would be the costs saved by the NHS. Which could be reinvested into other areas of the health service. This is a harsh but true fact and people who fully understand the cause of euthanasia, would acknowledge this fact with credence.
Furthermore the time scale families spend grieving is shortened. So they are able to get on with their life with normality.
The moral dilemma is as I outlined before that doctors do not want to be seen as killing someone and patients do not want to be seen as committing suicide. Considering this if the cause of euthanasia was fully understood and respected. Then the individual patient’s freedom would be allowed to express it self. If euthanasia were legislated then people who believe in euthanasia would have the choice. Which further enables them to be in control of themselves mentally when they are not physically in control of themselves.
For people who are against euthanasia there would be little affect to their life, as they would have the final say as to what happens to their life.
Ultimately it should be you not the government who decides whether you want to die by euthanasia. The government should give the choice to dieing patients by legalising euthanasia, but strict safeguards should be put in place. Euthanasia is the simple answer to a civilised society with strict rules.
