Euthanasia

Euthanasia can be active or passive. Active euthanasia is when the physician takes an active role in the patient’s death. The doctor may deliberately administer drugs that induce death such as morphine or an overdose of insulin or barbiturates. Passive euthanasia is when the physician takes a more passive role in the patient’s death.

This method includes a lack or suspension of treatment. An example of this is when a doctor takes a terminally ill patient off of life support systems such as respirators and intravenous food supply system . Physician assisted suicide has been a common practice in many societies for hundreds of years; however, it remains a very controversial topic today . Euthanasia is an unethical practice and should be illegal in all parts of the United States.

Not everyone agrees that euthanasia is unethical. Supporters believe that physician-assisted suicide, or euthanasia, is the best solution to terminal conditions. Because of a fear of a lingering and painful death, patients often opt for a physician-assisted death because it provides a relatively painless way of dying as compared to going through with their condition. Supporters also argue that capable patients have the right to refuse medical treatment, even if it is life-supporting .

They also argue that euthanasia is better solution because it prevents the “hellish experience” of death. They argue that hospice care is not good enough and that it isn’t readily available everywhere. They say that euthanasia is the best way to escape unbearable conditions such as paralysis, blindness, and the inability to communicate and interact with other human beings.

The first reason physician-assisted suicide should be illegal, is the fact that it is unfair and unethical. All humans have basic worth and dignity; therefore they must have equal indispensable rights. According to the Vatican Declaration of Euthanasia in 1980.

Life is a gift from God, and on the other hand, death is unavoidable. Thus we should be able to accept it with full responsibility and dignity. It is true that death marks the end of our earthly existence, but at the same time it opens the door to immortal life .

If euthanasia were legalized, it would void the fundamental and societal values and symbols that uphold respect for human life. Physician-assisted suicide changes the norm that states that humans must not kill each other. Legalizing euthanasia depreciates the value and respect for human life .

Euthanasia is wrong because it involves taking patients who are at their weakest and placing them in a situation where it is believed that euthanasia is the only alternative . Hospice is a sufficient alternative to euthanasia. Hospice care helps people die with dignity (Lamb). Hospice care helps patients cope with illness by providing special care and service . Hospice is better than euthanasia in because it provides a nurturing environment in which patients can die in a caring and nurturing place .

There is no significant reason to consider physician-assisted suicide, or euthanasia. It is morally and ethically unjust. Every human being has basic worth and dignity and his or her right to live cannot be voided by another human being . Euthanasia goes against everything that society was built upon. Civilizations have established the norm that humans shouldn’t take another human being’s life. Euthanasia contradicts this norm in the fact that doctors take their patients’ lives .

Hospice is an alternate solution to euthanasia. Hospice provides professional care for terminally ill patients. Hospice also provides patients with the opportunity to die with pride and dignity (Lamb). Euthanasia is an unnecessary solution for terminally ill patients and therefore should not be practiced.