Euthanasia, originally came from the Greek word “well/good death,” became a complex topic ever since it was first brought into this world. Many debate the topic of “the right to live” vs “the right to die. ” But what exactly is Euthanasia and how does it affect the basic rights of an individual?
Euthanasia: What Is It?
When a individual is constantly suffering from great pain, doctors or a third party may choose to perform Euthanasia. This requires the injection of a lethal drug into the blood streams to stop the heart from beating. Euthanasia is a complex process and includes several types depending on a variety of factors (e.g. level of consciousness, illness).
Two Types of Euthanasia:
Active: Directly bringing someone’s life to an end without the permission of a witness
Passive: Described as withholding treatments of the patient. Has an existing intention that death will occur sooner or later.
Legalization of Euthanasia?
In past few years, much talking of Euthanasia has been surrounding our world and many controversies has been formed. Some may argue that every human being has control over their own body, even when it comes to ending their life to eliminate the unbearable pain. While others conclude that having a third party end your life is considered a murder crime, therefore, its not legal.
Pros and Cons of Euthanasia:
Pros:
- Gives every person the right to die with dignity
Euthanasia allows the individual to decide their final life destination and gives them the right to shorten their lifespan to step away from the pain.
- Reduce pain and suffering
It’s not inhuman to make individuals endure their pain from the illness. Euthanasia will help them feel revealed by ending their life.
- Healthcare equipment’s and costs
As the population of this world increases day by day, healthcare services will always be limited. Instead of suffering for weeks or months in the hospital, Euthanasia is able to help the individual die in peace. The equipment and space will also be able to be transferred elsewhere to a patient that really requires it.
Cons:
- Religious beliefs may not be respectively valued
The world is filled with various perspectives that are born from various religions and cultures. Certain religions have strict values with life and death theories. It may be viewed as an ultimate sin against God or the creator of this world. Even without the factor of religion, taking your own life is greatly disagreed upon across many parts of the world.
- Euthanasia gives the third party too much power
Allowing a third party to physically kill a individual gives them great power which may be misused during some occasions. Expending this mistake will mistaken Euthanasia as a dangerous murder tool.
- Euthanasia has a risk of not delivering the desired result
An experiment stated that out of the 1,857 people who chose to take Euthanasia, only 1,179 received a positive experience. 7 people regained consciousness afterwards and 1 person survived while still fighting the pain of their disease.
Case of Euthanasia:
“No Evil In His Act”
Carson City District Attorney, Jason Woodbury, dismissed a murder charge against William Dresser, a elderly man who shot his paralyzed wife in the hospital.
“I didn’t view there being any component of evil to his act of killing,” Woodbury said.
Jason Woodbury showed evidence that William Dresser’s wife begged to be killed in order to escape the pain and suffering she was going through. After two weeks of her hospitalization, her husband bought a gun from a nearby pawn shop. During her sleep, William Dresser gave her a kiss and shot her on the chest. He tried to take his own life afterwards, but the gun was jammed and he couldn’t perform the act.
“William Lyle Dresser killed his wife, but he is not a murderer,” Woodbury wrote. “He saw his wife suffering with no hope of improvement, facing a short existence not remotely resembling a life she cared to live. So he ended that life. And he ended that suffering.”
In Conclusion:
Every individual has their own personal beliefs and ideas, and every situation is unique. Giving people the right to choose their final destiny should be taken into consideration. But the laws within this world should still not be forgotten. Some may hope to end the pain while others choose to hope for a miracle. Euthanasia is all about the opinion of a certain individual and how they decide their chosen path.
Sources:
http://Euthanasia: Right to life vs right to die (nih.gov)
http://Pros and Cons of Euthanasia: Learn Everything! – HealthMed.org
http://7 Important Euthanasia Pros and Cons | Flow Psychology
https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2015/06/19/evil-act-da-seeks-drop-mercy-killing-murder-charge/29006263/