Euthanasia - Right or Wrong?

Euthanasia in humans has been on the rise since the 19th Century. Even before, there were cases of euthanasia. But should euthanasia be legalised? There is much discussion over that topic. Euthanasia is only legal in some countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Holland and some states in America. However, there is still a large fight to legalise euthanasia in other parts of the world. Assisted suicide is often attempted after a patient requests it. However, in some cases the person may be unable to talk, due to a degenerative disease, a coma or a vegetative state.

There are many views on euthanasia, many of which are due to religion. Almost all religions are against euthanasia, because of their moral codes. Judaism is firmly against euthanasia, due to their belief that all life is sacred, and one should never do anything to shorten it. Religions like Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Sikhism all believe that euthanasia is bad, but they also have other views. Many of them believe that due to the increased physical damage, one can be mental damaged. So euthanasia is a good way to release them from their pain. However, they also think that involuntary euthanasia (euthanasia without a request) is also killing someone. Hindus believe that by performing euthanasia, the doctor and the patient’s Karma will be damaged. Their views on voluntary euthanasia are also different. Judaism, Buddhism and Islam are all against voluntary euthanasia. Buddhists believe that allowing someone to take your life because of your physical suffering means that you are mentally suffering as well. Jews and Muslims both believe that life is sacred and that because one is taking his life because of his pain. Muslims believe that Allah will not allow the victim into paradise, and Jewish believe that even if one is mentally fit to make that choice, they are still going against the Jewish moral codes. They believe that one should not speed up the process of death.

There are groups that are for euthanasia and against it. The groups that are for believe that it is the victim’s life, so they decide what happens to them. If a patient doesn’t want their heart or breathing to be artificially started again, due to either: unnecessary pain, no more benefits of life or life just being a burden, then they request a DNR (Do not resuscitate). The groups that are against euthanasia are mainly aggressive towards involuntary euthanasia. They believe that it is not up to someone else to decide whether the person should be euthanized. However, the groups for euthanasia believe that a relative, or someone who knew the patient well, should make the decision, depending on what the person would want if they were capable of making a decision. If the person has already written a will stating that they would not like to be put on life support, then they may be granted the “Right to Die”. In countries where euthanasia is illegal, some Doctors have assisted their patient’s suicide, and have been arrested. Some terminally ill patients have gone to Swiss suicide clinics.

The debate on whether euthanasia is the correct thing to do, still continues, and will carry on for a long time. This moving subject can be a very mentally demanding job for a doctor. Whether or not to let someone die, is sometimes a very difficult dilemma. The decision that all life is sacred, and whether someone has the right to make the choice about death, is something that is different to everyone. There are some good points about euthanasia, and also some bad. So it is not really up to one person to say if it is good or bad. If you were terminally ill, then the choice should be up to you…

By Luke Warner