Can We Handle Euthanasia
Euthanasia, though seen by many as murder, is nothing more than a way to help people who are in pain put an end to their times of sorrow and agony. The word Euthanasia originated from the Greek language: Eu means "good" and Thanatos means "death". The meaning of the word is "the intentional termination of life by another at the explicit request of the person who dies" (Robinson). This definition explains exactly what euthanasia should be, but there are still many meanings and types of euthanasia. Passive euthanasia is "hastening the death of a person by altering some form of support and letting nature take its course" (Robinson). Passive euthanasia would be removing life support equipment or stopping medication. Another form of euthanasia is active euthanasia, which "involves causing the death of a person through a direct action, in response to a request from that person" (Robinson). An excellent example of active euthanasia would be the well-known mercy killing by Dr. Jack Kevorkian. Involuntary euthanasia is a term used to describe "the killing of a person who has not explicitly requested aid in dying" (Robinson). Involuntary euthanasia is most often used for patients who are in a persistent vegetati
Some reasons one may not want to legalize euthanasia are because of religious reasons or own personal beliefs. Many who are against euthanasia see it as a way for physicians to prescribe death. Leon A. Kass expresses his feelings, "the legalization of physician assisted suicide will pervert the medical profession by transforming the healer of human beings into a technical dispenser of death" (78). Although Kass seems to have a good point, he is exaggerating the situation completely. Legalizing euthanasia does not mean that doctors are going to immediately give up on helping the sick, it simply means that when there is no cure for a person's pain and doctors have done all they can, patients will have the option of euthanasia. Not all patients will choose the option of euthanasia; many feel safe just having the option there. Derek Humphry explains " What is also not generally realized in the field of euthanasia is that, for many people, just knowing how to kill themselves is in itself of great comfort and often extends lives. Once a person knows how to make his/her exit and has the means, he/she often renegotiate the conditions of dying" (20). There are many different sides to the issue of euthanasia. When every aspect is examined closely it is plain to see the answer is to simply legalize euthanasia. Although many people in society feel assisted suicide would harm more than help people, they are not looking at every side of the issue equally. The easiest way to allow one to see that euthanasia is the answer, is to put themselves or a loved one in the position of these suffering patients. There is a point when it is too difficult to go on living, and these patients that are choosing euthanasia have found that living is too difficult, so they would rather choose to die. One cannot blame these poor patients. It is an extremely difficult decision to choose to end your own life, but it is a decision that is always for the better. Legalizing euthanasia gives these suffering patients the option to choose whether they want to go on living with the endless pain, or if they would like to end the pain peacefully. Not all patients will choose euthanasia once they are given the option, but it does give them comfort knowing the option is there. The legalization of euthanasia would show that society does care about these individuals enough to grant them their wishes as they lie helpless in a world of torture and agony. It is necessary to care for these patients and help them, for they have endured enough pain already. A decision such as euthanasia is a very hard choice to make. There are many arguments as to whose decision it should be. Many say the decision belongs to the person, and others say it belongs to the family. In some cases the public is even questioned as to their opinion on the matter. These choices are very hard and come at a time of confusion and helplessness. Unfortunately, the decision still needs to be made with a clear head. Naturally, it should be the individual's choice, because it is their life. It is their own body; nobody else knows what they are going through and why they are choosing to make the decision they are making. Phyllis Taylor explains, "As long as a person is able to communicate, he or she remains in charge of his or her body" (141). If the situation is not benefiting the individual then a change should be made. These individuals make the choice of euthanasia because they feel they are no longer able to live comfortably. It should definitely be up to the person who is going through with the assisted suicide because they are wanting to rid themselves of the unbearable pain and torture. Euthanasia is actually going to improve society. It is outrageous to think society can have a clear conscien
Some common words found in the essay are:
Derek Humphry, Assisted Suicide, Phyllis Taylor, Ronald Otremba, John Pridonoff, Wesley Smith, Judy Harrow, Euthanasia Euthanasia, Leon Kass, Robinson Passive, assisted suicide, pain suffering, legalizing euthanasia, physician assisted suicide, request person, suffering patients, persistent vegetative, euthanasia people, involuntary euthanasia, physician assisted, active euthanasia, people society feel, die painful death,
Approximate Word count = 2529
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)
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