Euthanasia is known as many different things like mercy killing, physician assisted suicide, and the right to die, but they all mean the same thing. Euthanasia is administering a lethal dosage of a certain medication, or ending all life support means, and letting a person who is terminally ill pass away at their own will. Many different things charge the debate surrounding this hot button issue. Terminal diseases and illnesses are painful, especially when the person inflicted is nearing the end of their battle. Unimaginable pain, uncertainty, and a loss of control are things that no one should have to endure when they are nearing their death. However, the opposition believe that religious, moral, and ethical values all must take importance and that death should come naturally as it is intended to. In order to gain a true understanding of the issue of euthanasia, it is vital to learn all about the debate from both sides of the fence.
The Pros of Euthanasia
1. An End To Suffering
People that are living with a terminal illness, or that are in an irreversible coma, are suffering. This is especially true when you look at the end of their battle. The pain can be debilitating, and the only option for these people are to take copious amounts of drugs and painkillers to help numb the pain even just a little bit. The quality of life is extremely low. Euthanasia gives these people a way to stop theirs and their family’s suffering.
2. Death With Dignity
A person that is bed ridden and sick is at the mercy of nurses, medical staff, and family for things like eating, using the restroom, changing clothes, and bathing. This can be very degrading for a person, and many do not want to be a burden or remembered by their family in such a way. Giving them the opportunity to choose when they die and how they die lets them take control of their own life, and the ability to say what they want to say or do for their family before their death.
3. Frees Up Funds And Equipment
Terminally ill patients, or people that are in irreversible comas, use a large portion of the medical funding available. This is also true for space that is available in the hospitals and care facilities. While this is by no means a good way to look at it, it is simply an added benefit of euthanasia. These people, instead of spending weeks, months, or even years using these resources, could die in peace all while saving money and space for the hospitals.
4. The Freedom To Choose
No body wants to be at the mercy of anybody else, especially not a disease or sickness that has controlled your life for so long. The biggest benefit of euthanasia is simply having a choice. It puts people back in control of their own life, when it matters the most. This gives people a great sense of peace and hope for their family.
The Cons of Euthanasia
1. Devalues Human Lives
By allowing our doctors to actively “kill” people, they will begin to see euthanasia as a solution and it will begin to be misused. This also gives the impression to other places and young children that the human life has a lesser value.
2. Religious and Ethical Problems
One of the most common brought up topics in the euthanasia debate is that of religion. The majority, if not all, religions have very strict views on taking lives, especially your own. It is viewed as one of the ultimate sins against God. The view that taking a life in general is also popular, even without the mention of religion.
3. Corruption Of The Worst Kind
There are tremendous costs involved in the care of terminally ill patients or patients that are in a coma. These valuable resources are saved in a great amount if a person chooses to participate in physician assisted suicide. This could prompt hospitals and doctors to begin using euthanasia as a means of money saving, which could result in people that have not agreed, being killed.