Euthanasia: The Controversy Continues

            Euthanasia can be almost thoroughly defined as physician-assisted suicide. It is the practice in which a medically employed individual aids in the purposeful death of a patient. In several locations, euthanasia is illegal, but it is highly controversial in other areas. Today’s society presents the positives and negatives of this practice, with some supporting it and many opposing it. Because this topic literally deals with the fine line between life and death, it is important that the public realize what euthanasia actually entails.

            For over 700 years, suicide and physician-assisted suicide have been disapproved of. The controversy began with the Greek physician, Hippocrates, also known as the “Father of Medicine”. Since then, the issue has only worsened. In 1997, Oregon passed the “Death with Dignity Act” stating that assisted suicide was legal. Furthermore, cases of euthanasia were voted upon in 2006, asking whether citizens of Maine agreed or disagreed with the matter. As the issue has been debated over for years, it unfortunately will continue to be in the future.

            Considering the fact that suicide is illegal, it is evident why opponents of euthanasia do not agree with it. Many believe that the process is not only suicide, but also an indirect method of murder. I agree with this aspect of the practice. Euthanasia, in my opinion, should be illegal without question. Others, however, do not feel the same. Some believe it allows a patient to die with dignity and compassion, and that he/she has the right to live or die. Again, I consider this route to death morally wrong. When a patient is in such a position that he/she needs the aid of a physician, that individual is giving the doctor permission to take care of him/her; therefore, the physician should do what is in the patient’s best interest to aid him/her back to health. For a physician, death should never be intentional.

          According to the Research Diagnostic Criteria of the University of Manitoba, 44.5% of patients that were studied with terminal illnesses said they knew death would come soon, but only 8.5% of these patients actually stated the desire to die. Jack Kevorkian, known as Dr. Death, is one of the most well-known euthanasia supporters. He served eight years in prison after admitting to assisting at least 130 suicides. You also have to remember the possibility of mental illnesses. A patient suffering depression may say they wish to die. Depression is an illness that can be treated, thus changing the thoughts of the patient.

          Many believe that there are positive aspects having to do with euthanasia and continue to support it. Patients feel as though they are dying with dignity and compassion. They know they have the right to make the choice between life and death, and they take advantage of that option. The negative aspects of euthanasia are clear and should lead everyone to believing that it is wrong. It can be considered suicide for the patient. People may say a patient has free will, can make decisions about his/her life, and the government shouldn’t dictate one’s desires to die, but these all correlate to suicide which is illegal. There shouldn’t be a difference between a patient killing him/herself and asking a doctor to do it. Purposeful death should never be OK. The physician is not doing his/her job by allowing a patient to take his/her own life. Death is intentional for both the physician and patient and can sometimes even be considered murder on behalf of the doctor.

          In the famous case of Theresa ‘Terri’ Schiavo, court rulings overruled family decisions to take the patient’s life. Terri suffered in a 15-year vegetative state after being diagnosed with irreversible brain damage. Her husband, Michael Schiavo, told doctors she wished to be taken off of life support, but her parents disagreed. They wished for Terri to remain alive, which sparked a huge controversy, resulting in several court cases. Eventually, court rulings forced Terri to be taken off of life support. She died of malnutrition and dehydration 13 days after this action.

          The devastating nature of euthanasia should never be accepted. It will never be acceptable for a patient to take his/her life or for a physician to help one do so. Although euthanasia is indicative of a compassionate nature, it also is representative of intended suicide by physicians and should be addressed by society.

The following chart represents the popularity of the practice:

Junior Gerard Bingham disagrees with euthanasia and states his opinion on the practice.

Junior Joi Louviere believes euthanasia should be practiced and gives her supporting reasons.

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