One of the main reasons behind the euthanasia ethical debate is the difference between passive and active euthanasia. While passive euthanasia is often done medically and not seen as an illegal act (Euthanasia Definitions 2012), active euthanasia is considered immoral and illegal because it involves the physical act of taking a human life. However, both fall under the term 'euthanasia', therefore creating the question; Should euthanasia be legal?
Although euthanasia is seen as an immoral act, there are still arguments for it. The major argument for euthanasia is that people who are in unbearable pain shouldn't have to suffer, and should be able to receive euthanasia so as to end their suffering (Reasons for Euthanasia 2012). By receiving euthanasia, patients who are in extreme amounts of pain and who are terminally ill do not have to stay alive when they are suffering. Another argument for euthanasia states that people should not be forced to stay alive if they do not wish to be (Reasons for Euthanasia 2011). As euthanasia is seen as immoral, and in most countries is illegal, it is rarely performed. However, some people no longer wish to stay alive, and believe they should be able to receive euthanasia. After a time, it becomes almost cruel to keep a person alive. However, a person's natural instinct can often keep them alive, even throughout pain and suffering. At this stage in a person's life, they probably do not wish to be alive any longer, and therefore would like to be able to receive euthanasia, but cannot, as it is illegal.
However, there are more arguments against euthanasia, as most people see it's immorality to be too overwhelming to overlook. One of the major arguments against euthanasia states that there is a great possibility that euthanasia wouldn't be localised to terminally ill patients (Arguments against Euthanasia 2012). This argument states that if euthanasia became legal, then people who are not terminally ill, like those who suffer from depression or who are ill but not terminally so, will use euthanasia to commit suicide. As euthanasia is the killing of a human being for their alleged benefit, this opposes the definition. The best thing for a depressed or suicidal person isn't death, as they may believe, but instead it is getting help from a medical professional. However, if euthanasia became legal, suicidal people would take advantage of the ability to die quickly and use euthanasia.
Another important argument states that euthanasia is a rejection of value and importance of human life (Arguments against Euthanasia 2012). This argument is based on the fact that a human life is sacred, and only in the most desperate of times, as through self-defence, should a human life be deliberately taken. The self-defence argument is justified by stating that although a human life is been taken, it is to save the life of another, the person being attacked. However, this argument cannot be used to justify euthanasia as life is only been taken, not saved.
The aforementioned argument is the one that is most often used by Christianity to justify the reason why they are against euthanasia. Christianity argues that life is a gift from God, and as such God is the only one who can take it away (Linda Jackson 2005). Christianity states that birth, life and death are all a part of God's processes and that people should respect them and do not have the right to end it themselves, as it would offend God. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – BibleGateway 2012)
“As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death.” (Ecclesiastes 8:8 – BibleGateway 2012)
Another argument from Christianity is that all human lives are equally as important as each other and therefore none should be taken away. Christians believe that no matter what, all human beings should be treated as equals and that one persons life is just as important as anybody else’s (BBC News 2009). Whether people are in a vegetative state, or are old and dying, the Christian view states that all these people should be treated as everyone else, meaning that, as equals to the rest of society, they should not receive euthanasia, as well as those who are mentally or physically handicapped. (BBC News 2009)
The Catholic Church also has the Catechism, which Christians and Catholics are meant to follow. When it comes to the topic of euthanasia, the Catechism states that “Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.
Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.
Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church n.d.). As this is one of the text that Catholics and Christians follow, it is just another reason why the people of the Catholic faith are against euthanasia.
Personally, I believe that euthanasia, under any circumstance, is the wrong thing to do. Although it is hard when people suffer through extreme pain, I believe that it is what they are meant to go through, otherwise they wouldn't be going through it, and the euthanasia is the wrong response to a difficult situation.
Euthanasia is a difficult ethical issue. When a person is in pain, the right thing to do is to try and help the pain go away. However, making the pain go away is a big difference to actually ending somebody's life. However, some people want to do anything they can to make the pain stop, and therein lies the ethical dilemma.
Bibliography – Religion Ethics Essay
Arguments Against Euthanasia. n.d. Accessed 15 Aug. 2012. <http://www.euthanasia.com/argumentsagainsteuthanasia.html>.
BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible n.d. Accessed 14 Aug. 2012. <http://www.biblegateway.com/>.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. n.d. Accessed 15 Aug. 2012. <http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a5.htm>
Elliott, Ray H., and Kathleen Engebretson. Chaos or Clarity: Encountering Ethics. Katoomba, N.S.W.: Social Science, 2001.
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide – General Christian View. BBC News. BBC, 03 Aug. 2009. Accessed 15 Aug. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/christianethics/euthanasia_1.shtml>.
Jackson, Linda. Euthanasia. Oxford: Heinemann Library, 2005.
Lanham, David. Euthanasia, Pain Killing, Murder and Manslaughter. 1993. Accessed 13/08/2012
<http://www.aic.gov.au/events/aic%20upcoming %20events/1993/~/media/conferences/medicine/lanham.pdf>
Reasons for Euthanasia. n.d. Accessed 14 Aug. 2012. <http://www.euthanasia.com/reasonsforeuthanasia.html>
I.D Number: 8091020
by
trinatrina (student)
