FREE ESSAY ON EUTHANASIA

EUTHANASIA

To Live or Not to Live
The beliefs and views of our country are sometimes hypocritical and unjust. We have been
educated with the idea that killing people is against our morality as well as our
religious beliefs. However, there seems to be some instances when this rule does not
apply. If one kills another in self-defense it is considered bravery, if a soldier kills
an enemy in war it is considered courageous and honorable. On contrary, relieving a
patient??s pain and desperate suffering by ending a patient??s life turns out to the
human morality. The decisions that people make are always up for debate by anyone who has
an opinion one way or another. The controversial issue of euthanasia has been going on
for decades and as of nowadays, there is no end in sight. There are many views on the
topic of euthanasia, some believe that decisions should be made of the patients?? best
interest, while others insist that men have the responsibility to prolong others?? lives.
Both sides have their own ideas to base upon, and this contradiction has brought along
the topics for discussions. Some people believe that a person with an incurable disease
or severe disability that turns life into pain or so burden that a meaningful and
desirable existence has ceased, then this person should be allowed to die. Another
argument is that the role of the physician is to do whatever is best for their patients.
This could turn out to be a case in which a patient awaiting for death soon may be
considered for euthanasia. The job of a physician should always be to help their patient
in any way possible. It??s the duty as a professional to heal, prolong life, and to
reduce suffering. In some extreme cases when every other alternative is hopeless, the
best that a physician can do would be to help a person hasten death in order to relieve
the unnecessary suffering they would have to 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. 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. 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
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? 
On the other hand, there are many more people who believe that euthanasia is wrong. The
groups that are fighting against the legalization of euthanasia are conservative
religious groups, medical associations, and groups concerned with disabilities. 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 goes against God??s will, they are playing
God. In that case on emust then reconsider the use of medication and treatment, because
it is God's will for that person to die. Anyone who makes this claim from 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. They 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 argument is that
doctors might consider euthanasia as an alternative, thus becomes less obligated in doing
their best in prolonging patient??s life.
For the groups concerned with the disabled, they??re afraid that as euthanasia becomes
more common, doctors might eventually allow the killing of the handicapped or even the
elderly. These concerned people think that without serious awareness, problems may arise
sooner or later. 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 regardless of the justification one may
have, no one has the right to take away other??s live through active or passive practice
of euthanasia. The emotional effects including depression, guilt, and some other results
could last for years. How, then, would it justify for a person assisting suicide to be
burdened with painful distress?
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.