Euthanasia

A detailed Summary of Euthanasia

"Death is not so much to be feared. Everything in this world is temporary." Life is "a trial," said Joseph Quinlan when referring to his daughter's death. Death should not be feared, but should it be so non-chalantly welcomed? Euthanasia can be a very touchy subject for those who have gone through a situation in which they have been forced to make this decision. I have not had to make this decision, thankfully, but I believe it should not be an option in any case. Life should be lived out until the day it is taken from you! I see murder taking place, do you?

"I was surprised, I didn't know I'd have as much feeling because, from a human point of view, her life had minimal quality. But it was over," the 60-year-old priest said of Karen Ann Quinlan following her death. Karen Ann Quinlan died in 1985, nine years after being taken off of a respirator that was supposedly needed to help her breathe and live. On April 15, 1975, Karen slipped into a coma resulting from an overdose of alcohol and tranquilizers. Despite being pronounced "brain dead" by physicians, she unexpectedly clung to what life she had for nearly a decade. Her parents' landmark 1976 victory before the New Jersey Supreme Court allowed the turning off of her

Many people believe that Euthanasia should be allowed when a person's quality of life has diminished significantly. It is thought that when someone has lost their independence and happiness, that they become a burden and that the burden must be relieved at some point. I find it completely understandable why certain people feel this, and also why some do not.

I believe both active and passive euthanasia are forms of murder, even though I have never had to make the decision of euthanasia for someone else. I do not believe that euthanasia should be allowed and I do not see the difference in passive and active euthanasia. I think people should have living wills stating whether or not they would like to be kept alive by extraordinary means, should something happen to them. One day my beliefs may be tested if I am in a situation of taking care of a sick family member, but for now I see a killing taking place! I see murder, nothing more and nothing less.

I cannot say whether Karen's parents made the right decision, and neither can James Rachels. I did not go through the experience that they did, so I believe only they could say what was right and wrong at that time.

I personally believe everyone should life the life they were given by God, and should not shorten it by any means. Perhaps being raised to believe that I should never give up or give in is what promotes my point of view. Although I am almost positive that all children should be taught the same things! I am sure that I make it sound easy because I have never been in a situation where euthanasia was a choice, but I have witnessed it happen more than.

Third, I fear that some people out there can easily abuse the decision to end a family members life for personal gain. For example, a husband may choose to euthanize his comatosed wife because he may in turn receive a large life insurance policy from her death. A spouse may also choose to "pull the plug" on another if they just do not like them anymore. There are some people out there capable of killing someone just because they do not get along anymore and want an easy way out.

Quality of life can be defined by a number of things. Does a person lose quality when they cannot make their own decisions any more, or do they just lose an ability that they possessed before? I do not believe that a persons quality of life is minimal enough at any point to let them die, or to kill them. Everyone is guaranteed the right to live his or her life ou

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Approximate Word count = 1675
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous