The Pros And Cons Of Voluntary Euthanasia

Claire Conroy, a woman suffering from end stages of dementia, robbed of her right to choose voluntary euthanasia. She had other health issues including heart disease, high blood pressure, gangrene in her leg, bedsores, and was unable to talk. She could not control her bladder or bowels, and was only able to moan, scratch, and sometime smile if someone was combing her hair. Claire had not gotten to exercise her right to die. She died a slow and painful death, suffering from infection and dementia. This is just one example of a huge issue facing Americans caused by current laws, religious beliefs, and ethical debates; the effects are needless suffering, emotional stress, financial ruin, and driving people to criminal acts. Euthanasia by definition means “good death”, and refers to the act of ending someone’s life in order to relieve him or her from pain and suffering. Euthanasia can be done voluntarily or involuntarily. Voluntary euthanasia occurs when the patient is aware of the decision to end his or her own life. Involuntary euthanasia occurs when the patient’s family on their behalf makes a decision if they are too incompetent to make that decision on their own. …show more content…
This is a major effect of not being able to use physician-assisted suicide to relieve patients of their suffering. Besides the family, the patient themselves go through quite a bit of pain throughout the dying process of a terminal illness. When a patient anticipates dying, it can take a toll on them emotionally, especially if they know what is in store for them. Some patients know almost exactly what symptoms that they are going to show throughout their dying process. This can be tough for a patient to experience, and if they had the chance to exercise their right to die with dignity, they could avoid the emotional and physical suffering they would otherwise have to