Medical Ethics Essay

Euthanasia

The only thing that’s certain in life is death. Some of us don’t think about it because there’s no sense in worrying about the inevitable. Most of us spend our entire lives thirsty for an answer; we search under rocks, inside religion and within ourselves.  Others become financial planners, invest in skyscrapers and collect plush Dalmatians and antique silverware. Then there are those who aren’t so fortunate. Those who grow sick and beat cancer, then they get sick again and are faced with X amount of time left to live. If you’ve ever been asked the question “How do you want to die?” then you know the feeling that comes with it. It’s not something you want to think about, and even more so, isn’t death supposed to just happen? For many that are terminally ill, the only certainty they have is death, and euthanasia is sometimes the only thing that gives them control.

 “Euthanasia” in Greek means “Good Death”, and is arguably the perfect combination of words to define it. It’s also known as the practice of intentionally ending one’s life in order to relieve pain and suffering. Euthanasia is illegal in the United States, but assisted suicide or “Physician Aid in Dying (PAD)” is legal in Washington, Oregon and Montana. PAD requires the patient to take the dosage themselves, where as euthanasia is given to the patient by a third party. However, there are many countries that do practice euthanasia. For example, The Netherlands offer a series of requirements that a Doctor must take into consideration before allowing someone to end their own life. The doctor must feel the request is volunteered and well thought out, that their suffering is unbearable, that all other life saving scenarios have been exhausted and the doctor has consulted at least one other physician(Haulussy). As you can see, euthanasia is a well thought out process and isn’t an acceptable treatment plan for just anyone. Still, many find themselves very passionate on both sides of the spectrum.  

The biggest argument surrounding euthanasia is whether it’s moral or immoral. 54 % of medical practitioners in the United States support it and 86% of the general public believes in it as well (Gallup Poll). What’s even more alarming is that 55 % of terminally ill patients die in pain each year in the United States. One of the main arguing points for those who are pro euthanasia is that we as people should have the decision whether or not we want to live. Our lives should not be in the hands of others, especially if we’re suffering and will never get better. Many say that it’s inhumane to keep people on life support or in a vegetative state. Then there are those whom fall powerless to conditions or diseases that will ultimately kill them, but have to continue on. Strokes and dementia cause people to strongly rely on others, losing their dignity along with their life. For some people, having that control subsides any fear and anxiety they may have, and gives them the freedom to be human again, just by allowing themselves to have  the decision on whether they want to live, or don’t.

When people believe euthanasia is immoral the majority fall back on the bible. People that are anti euthanasia closely correlate it to abortion, and the killing of innocent life. It’s said by Christians that God takes people as he pleases, and that it’s ultimately his decision when they die. Many believe that proponents of euthanasia will not be able to draw a line, and in return children with broken hearts may find themselves toying with the idea of seeking medical treatment to end one’s life. Basically, they feel that it’s opening a door to all walks of life, and that eventually it won’t just be limited to the terminally ill. Another consideration is that those who choose to end one’s life aren’t mentally stable, and therefore shouldn’t hold the reigns to a decision about themselves. A study in Great Britain showcased people who contemplated suicide, in which 93 % supposedly suffered from a mental disorder, and 24 % of them desired an assisted suicide (Karlovich). Apparently, all 24 % suffered from some sort of mental disorder. Many believe that terminally ill people aren’t sad because they want to die and can’t, but that they’re sad that they can’t keep on living.

When we’re born into this world we only have one mind and it continues on that way until the day we die. After researching and placing myself within the shoes of those who believe in euthanasia, and those who don’t, I ultimately feel that it should be your own personal decision. It’s easy for people to become hungry for control and want to help people to do the right thing; but what’s right for you isn’t right for everyone else.  People become so passionate about pro life and pro choice topics because the idea of life is so intangible that it’s frightening. Many of us will walk miles searching for purpose and entertain ideas that litter our head; but no one person should have the right to tell someone else what their purpose is.

Works Cited

Gallup Poll, “Euthanasia Statistics” Date Verified July 27 2012 Accessed on April 30 2013, Retrieved from < http://www.statisticbrain.com/euthanasia-statistics/>

Haulussy, Glenn C. “Euthanasia” Alpha Universal: World Trade Lawyers, Accessed on April 30 2013, Retrieved from <http://www.alphauniversal.org/lermais_materias.php?cd_materias=83>

Karlovich, Erin “How to Argue Against Euthanasia without Resorting to ‘Because God Doesn’t Like It’” Ignitum Today: The Social Network of the New Evangelization Generation, Accessed on April 30 2013, Retrieved from < http://www.ignitumtoday.com/2012/10/08/how-to-argue-against-euthanasia-without-resorting-to-because-god-doesnt-like-it/>