Canada and Euthanasia
There is considerable debate today, both among the public and the politicians, about euthanasia. While the government is hesitatant to venture into morals and ethics, it appears that euthanasia is gaining more press coverage, in light of the Sue Rodriguez and Robert Latimer cases. Indeed, the issue is difficult to resolve, and despite few advances, the government has enacted penalties in the Criminal Code to punish assisted suicide. Without reservation, euthanasia is illegal in Canada. An increasing number of people are turning to doctor-assisted suicide. As a result of a more liberal political arena, more people are agreeing that some form of euthanasia must be acceptable in specific circumstances. Politicians, and the courts, claim that the country is not yet ready for such a climate. The characterization of pro-euthanasia advocates by their counterparts as selfish, taking the easy way out, diserespectful of life, and challenging human dignity is misconstrued. Pro-euthanasia groups advocate self-dignity, personal choice, economic well-being, happiness, family support, and individual rights. The word euthanasia simply means good death, but has come to mean causing death with intent, whether by doing something(commission), or by o
This society actively lobbies politically for active euthanasia, and provides counselling to every member who wishes to know about assistance-in-dying. Similarly, the Canadian Medical Association has run a series of articles on euthanasia. Eike Kluge, the former CMA ethicist, is outspokenly pro-euthanasia. A recent article published as a discussion article stated, "What a strange world we live in, that we are kinder to our animals than we are to human beings." His colleague, Ethics Committee Chairman, Dr. Arthur Parsons, asked "Who is going to get into the lifeboat? Is it better to keep a severely retarded person alive, or spend your tight resources on bypass surgery for a father of four?" This brings up two important issues, the first, that euthanasia is still used for animals, despite being called "putting to sleep", and secondly, the issue of money and the costliness of keeping a person alive. Research shows that the most expensive term of care for a patient is the final six months prior to their deaths. The financial burden for a seemingly hopeless case is unbearable, not just for the family, but for the patient as well. The patient, in their last few days, should not have to worry about being a financial burden, but the truth is, healthcare is expensive. As Dr. Parsons argued, it may be better to supply those crucial healthcare dollars to the father of four who requires surgery because the chances of success are phenomenally better than the comatose or terminally ill patient. Current euthanasia advocates have erealized that active euthanasia is too difficult to push through Parliament. They have elected to go through assisted suicide which opens the door to active euthanasia. Svend Robinson has proposed Bill C385 which would amend the Criminal Code to allow doctors to assist in the suicide of a patient who is terminal and requests this. In 1972, suicide was decriminalized in Canada, keeping with the understanding that suicide is not a rational act and th
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1329
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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