Topic > Why euthanasia should be legal: analysis of arguments and counter-arguments

IndexIntroductionContextWhy euthanasia should be legalReason 1Reason 2Reason 3Counter-argumentsConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionEuthanasia, the act of providing individuals with the right to choose to end their own suffering from terminal illnesses or debilitating conditions, has been the subject of intense political and ethical debate. People's perspectives differ depending on whether euthanasia constitutes murder or a compassionate choice. Currently, government laws prevent access to euthanasia for those in desperate need, forcing them to endure a life of pain and suffering. This highlights the importance of considering in this essay why euthanasia should be legal. Giving patients the autonomy to make this decision would honor their right to choose how they wish to approach their final moments and end their unbearable suffering. Furthermore, legalizing euthanasia could ease the burden on families by reducing the financial strain of hospital care and prolonged medical treatments. Embracing the legalization of euthanasia would be a step towards recognizing the dignity of individuals facing insurmountable pain and the importance of respecting their wishes in such difficult times. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Context While euthanasia has recently received media coverage, euthanasia dates back to the early days. In fact, the ancient Greeks believed that there should be no reason for someone to continue living if they don't want to be alive in the first place. Euthanasia, which means “good death” in Greek, is a simple and peaceful way to give up life. There are many different types of euthanasia, such as passive, active, voluntary, non-voluntary and involuntary. Passive euthanasia occurs when a person stops treatment to keep them alive, resulting in their death. Active euthanasia is when someone uses lethal substances to end a patient's life. Volunteerism is the practice of ending life painlessly. Involuntary manslaughter is illegal and is considered murder since it is performed on a patient who did not have consent or did not want to die in the first place. In Texas, “mercy killing or euthanasia is not condoned or authorized by Texas law, nor is any act or omission other than to permit the natural process of death” (Euthanasia Laws). In any other country like Australia and the United Kingdom, euthanasia is considered illegal and people face prison sentences if they commit euthanasia. Fortunately, there are countries that have legal euthanasia, for example, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and some US states. States. In fact, the Netherlands was the first country to legalize euthanasia in 2002. Now, “a Dutch organization practicing euthanasia received 3,122 requests last year, a 22% increase from the previous year ” (Corder). When the Netherlands legalized euthanasia, other countries soon followed suit, prompting people suffering from terminal illnesses to want to undergo euthanasia. In order to get the procedure, you must be 18 years old, be a resident of a state where euthanasia is legal, and most importantly, have two doctors determine whether the patient is capable of undergoing euthanasia. Minors between the ages of 16 and 17 can request euthanasia only if it was their only decision but their parents must be informed of this. As regards the rights of the patient, he has the right to refuse treatment and no doctor,government or person is authorized to force the patient to perform the procedure. Why euthanasia should be legal Reason 1 When someone is in a critical state, having the right to choose to die gives them a sense of control. People make their own decision whether they want to be alive or not and they do so if that's what they think is best for them. In life, people are able to decide what they want to do for their career, believe in their religion, have a family, and make choices about their life based on their expectations, values, and emotions. It is their responsibility that will guide their actions. In that case, a person not being able to do things for themselves, such as eating or using the bathroom, can be degrading, and having the opportunity to die is the only option they can do on their own. Kevin Davis, a 60-year-old man suffering from terminal kidney cancer, “was angry that he was unable to choose a dignified death once his suffering became too much to bear” (Davis). Due to cancer, Kevin could not use his legs and could only crawl in his home. Two years before Kevin was diagnosed with terminal cancer, his mother died of cancer, which caused Kevin to choose to have the right to die (allow him not to die the same way as his mother). Unfortunately, in the UK, where Kevin lived, he was not given the opportunity to obtain euthanasia. When Kevin was unable to obtain euthanasia, he took matters into his own hands, committing suicide. If only euthanasia had been an option, Kevin could have died peacefully in bed with his family by his side, not in a bloody pile. What happened to Kevin Davis shouldn't happen to anyone else. Everyone should be given the right to choose what happens to them. Of course, everyone would like to live as long as possible, but that can change when someone is diagnosed with an incurable disease, leaving options such as death to have a sense of control. Reason 2 Experiencing pain every day is very heartbreaking and with euthanasia it can put an end to their suffering. Doctors try to find cures and save lives, but sometimes they can't do anything when a patient has a terminal illness. The patient faces a constant struggle that can easily end in euthanasia. Nowadays, medical technology has improved, allowing people to live longer and helping to improve the management of health conditions. However, using medical technology with someone who has a terminal illness causes them pain and pain every day. For example, as Ronald Dworkin recounts, “Lillian Boyes, an English woman suffering from a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis, begged her doctor to help her die because she could no longer bear the pain” (De La Torre). Another example can also be a terminal disease such as cancer where a patient receives chemotherapy, a radioactive medicine that poisons the body. Chemotherapy has side effects such as vomiting, hair loss, headache, stomach and muscle pain, etc., and you can barely bear the pain. Without euthanasia, a terminally ill patient will have to continue taking medications for an illness that doctors cannot cure. The suffering is there for them every second and legally cannot stop. As the disease and medical status worsen, these people struggle not only physically but also emotionally and have little interest in life except dying. In this state of condition, the disease is seen socially as worsening, and these people are likely to have family and friends retain positive memories of them and to be seen as a healthy person, in better shape, living a good life. Furthermore, euthanasia is not used 2020.