Euthanasia, also known as assisted suicide, should be legalized because there are many terminally ill people in the world who suffer an unimaginable amount of pain every day. It is a person’s right to control their body and their life. Those who are terminally ill should be given an option to a peaceful and dignified death, rather than being forced to suffer endlessly.
The word euthanasia itself, is Greek for “good death.” The practice of euthanasia is meant to end people’s suffering. If a person is constantly in pain, and already knows he will soon die, then who are we to force him to live out the rest of his days in misery? This was a country founded on rights and free will and these principles should continue to prevail, especially in regard to a person’s body.
Imagine being terminally ill with a disease, whether it be cancer, heart failure, or any other kind of devastating illness you can think of. Imagine your whole world come crashing down when the doctor tells you there is no cure. Imagine the complete devastation and anger you’d feel when the doctor tells you not to worry because they are going to do everything they can, but you know the true outcome of the situation is inevitable.
Imagine the looks on your friends’ and families’ faces, filled with tears and pity, and knowing you will soon have to leave them behind. Imagine the agonizing pain you will have to endure every second of every day for the rest of your time. Imagine losing all control and over your body. Imagine having to be absolutely dependent on another person for even the most minute tasks like going to the bathroom.
Although the true severity and devastation of a situation like this can never be fully expressed in a piece of writing, if you have any first hand experiences like this, then you would know these are just a few of the impossible things terminally ill people must go through.
In an interview conducted by NCBI, one woman who suffered from a terminal illness stated, “I myself want to be in control as long as I can, I don’t want doctors and nurses controlling me. I’m on morphine, I get a lot of breakthrough pain, when I get to the pitch where I really can’t cope with anything any more, where my quality of life is totally gone, I will tell my husband I want a really good day out with the kids which is when he’ll know that when I go to bed that night I won’t wake up the next morning.” It must be degrading to have all of your independence ripped away in a matter of seconds. One day you are living your normal life, going to work, exercising, seeing friends and family, and the next you can’t even brush your teeth or walk without constant support and care.
In no way am I promoting people killing themselves. Everyone should live their life to the fullest. However, when a person’s quality of life is completely decimated against their will, then why should they be obliged to continue to deal with that suffering? That would be the most cruel thing you can do.
Some people argue that legalizing euthanasia will lead to an increase of suicides and murders. Although euthanasia can be a slippery slope at times, this does not mean it shouldn’t be legalized. Just like any other law that can be abused or broke, it should be strictly regulated and handled with the proper authority. The terms of euthanasia should be circumstantial and looked at with great regard.
Developed nations such as the Netherlands, have legalized euthanasia, and through the use of refined laws and protection have had few legal issues. We could look at their laws and regulations as a model if we are serious about euthanasia.
Some of the guidelines to euthanasia in the Netherlands are as follows:
- The request must be made entirely of the patient’s own free will.
- The patient must have a long-lasting desire for death.
- The patient must be experiencing unbearable suffering.
- There must be no reasonable alternatives to relieve suffering other than euthanasia.
- The euthanasia or assisted suicide must be reported to the coroner.
It’s immoral would be to deny a sickly patient’s wishes. Euthanasia allows people to end their lives while they are still in control. No one wants to be remembered as weak or sick. No one wants to experience their minds and bodies slowly deteriorate. People want to be remembered in happier times of better health and euthanasia offers this opportunity to the terminally ill.