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Life Or Death euthanasia Essay Research Paper

Life Or Death (euthanasia) Essay, Research Paper


The beliefs and views of our country are hypocritical and unjust. As we


grow from a young child to a mature adult, we are taught many things such as


that killing another human being is wrong, it is against the law and goes


against most people’s religious beliefs. Yet, there are some instances when


this rule does not seem to apply. If someone kills another in self-defense


it is seen as an act of bravery, if a soldier kills an enemy in war it is


seen as courageous and honorable. But who is to say that these acts are more


justifiable than allowing someone who is in extreme pain and suffering to be


given an opportunity to end their own lives with the help of another. As the


world around us changes at an incredible rate, we must always ask ourselves


if these changes are in our own best interest. The decisions that people make


are always up for debate by anyone who has an opinion one way or another.


The debate of euthanasia has been ongoing for many years and as of now, there


is no end in sight.


There are many views on the topic of euthanasia, some people believe that


it should be open to anyone who feels that their life is not worth living;


while others think that there is no justifiable reason for euthanasia be


allowed. These opposing sides have many different reasons for believing what


they do, some reasons people give for euthanasia are intriguing and very


thought provoking. Some people believe that a person with an incurable


disease or severe disability that causes life to be racked with pain or so


burdensome that a meaningful and desirable existence has ceased, then this


person should be allowed to die. This conclusion should only be allowed


after all other alternatives have been thoroughly considered.


Another argument that is given in favor or euthanasia is that the role of the


physician is to do whatever is best for their patient. This could mean that


in some extreme situations the best answer might include hastening death upon


the request of the dying. The job of a physician should always be to help


their patient in any way possible. It is the duty as a professional to heal,


prolong life, and to reduce suffering. In some extreme cases, when every


other option is hopeless, the best service that a physician can render would


be to help a person hasten death in order to relieve the unnecessary


suffering they must go through.


Another argument supporting the use of euthanasia is that everyone would


benefit if it were legal to show mercy when death becomes preferable over


life. With that in mind one must look at the families and loved ones of


those who wish to end their extreme suffering. No one would want to watch a


loved one die in extreme agony, while sitting there not being able to do


anything. This feeling of helplessness and despair would almost be


unimaginable. Making anyone watch this while hoping for a quick end to his


or her loved one’s suffering, would be wrong in itself. Although this type


of case is rare in the real world is very rare, just one case alone would be


argument enough for the use of euthanasia.


While the views of many people may be against the use of euthanasia, it sad


to say that in all actuality it goes on almost everyday. Many people have


heard of doctors who report that they have, out of compassion and mercy,


given heavy doses of morphine to relieve the pain and suffering of patients


who are near an inevitable death. While doing this, the doctors know


perfectly well what the ending result will be, to hasten death. Somehow this


is right, since the goal of this is to ease the pain and not actually to kill


the patient. But would it not also be right to do the very same thing with


the goal of hastening death?


While these views and arguments are very interesting and thought provoking


there are many more people who believe that euthanasia is wrong. There are


majority of people can be separated into three main groups. The groups that


are fighting against the legalization of euthanasia are conservative


religious groups, medical associations, and groups concerned with


disabilities. These three groups all have their own argument on why we


should no allow the use of euthanasia.


The religious groups feel that it is God’s place to decide the time and place


of a person’s death, not your own. They feel that if someone chooses to take


an innocent life, they are "playing God". Yet, if that is the case one must


then question the use of medicine and the act of helping others. If someone


has

been in a car accident and is bleeding to death should we just stand


there and watch, because it is God’s will for that person to die. Anyone who


makes this claim form a religious point of view must state when human action


is supposed to encroach on divine power.


The Medical associations have their own arguments against euthanasia. They


believe that the Hippocratic Oath expressly forbids the giving of deadly


medicine to anyone for any reason. Although the American Medical Association


has condemned physician-assisted suicide as an unethical practice, the


majority of doctors in some areas are in favor of this practice in extreme


circumstances. The Medical field also agrees that in some cases a


misdiagnosis could occur or a possible cure could be found. In this case,


the physician would want to extend their patient’s life as long as possible.


Another downfall would be that doctors might feel less obligated to provide


the best possible care if administering death was always a possibility.


As for the groups concerned with people with disabilities, they have their


own original argument. They believe that even if assisted suicide is


accepted in the most limited forms, after people become more comfortable with


the idea doctors might eventually allow the killing of the handicapped, the


poor, or the elderly. The belief that once legal, subsequent move are


inevitable and will only cause more problems in the long run. These


concerned people feel that without proper safeguards this "slippery slope"


will without a doubt come into play.


These three groups have come up with there own defenses regarding the


banning of euthanasia. Other people who are also against assisted suicide


have their own beliefs on the matter. Some people believe that no matter


what the reason we do not have the right to have other people kill us or


assist us in committing suicide. The emotional effects on the person or


persons who have assisted with the procedure could last for years and be


extremely harmful to their day to day life. These effects could include


depression, guilt, and a number of other results that anyone would not wish


to have. Is this fair to allow someone in unbelievable pain and suffering to


die, while causing another to be burdened with emotional distress?


Bonnie Steinbock has her own opinions on the life and death situation of


euthanasia. She believes that "you have the right to decide what happens to


your own body, and the right to refuse treatment is an instance of that more


general right". This statement is very bold in the fact that you may have


the right to decide what happens to your body, but one must also think about


the people around them who care for them. Someone cannot make decisions that


will have a devastating affect on loved ones. Another statement that she


makes is that, "there can be a reason for terminating life-prolonging


treatment other that to bring about the patients death." This statement is


one that I really agree with; I believe that if someone is in need of


treatment and wishes not to continue it due to the fact that the treatment


does more harm than good, they should be allowed to terminate the treatment.


Some of the statements that she makes can be true either way in different


circumstances. She states that, "once active or vigorous treatment is


stopped, a quick death is not always preferable to a lingering one. In some


instances this is true; if someone has treatment stopped and feels less pain


or less harmful side effects, then allowing the last part of that persons


life to be pleasant would be the best option. However, if stopping treatment


caused more pain and suffering then a quick death would be the best option


for the patient.


No one can say in an unbiased manner whether or not euthanasia should be


allowed. People will always believe the way they do because of the morals


and ethics that they follow. It is extremely hard to get past these beliefs


and determine the best solution to the problem. At this point in time, the


debate on the issue of euthanasia is ongoing, and will continue to be as long


as people stand by their own personal beliefs. If a patient wishes to end


his or her own life with the help of another person, no one can judge them


for choosing one way or another not knowing exactly what they are going


through. Yet, if someone does choose to die, this person must determine if


it is fair and just to ask someone to do such a life-altering task, while


possibly causing serious emotional damage to all of the people around them.

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