Euthanasia, the act of taking one’s own life through the mediation of a doctor. As medical improvements have taken place, an issue of moral standards has arrisen. Currently in Belgium, Doctors desire to be able to convince children that dying is a better option (Braw), as opposed to taking medication or staying in the hospital. However, euthanization is allowing doctors to “play God” and play with the lives of their patients. Because of all the risks and alternatives associated with Euthanasia, it should not be legal. Alternative treatments such as palliative care and hospices are available. Also, there is a high risk of not being able to control it and a risk of involuntary euthanasia becoming an issue.
“You always have a choice” is …show more content…
There is no “right to be killed”, and there is no easy way to control euthanasia. As soon as it becomes legalized, it can easily become comparable to genocide. In fact, euthanasia is strictly against the oath that most doctors follow upon becoming a doctor; the Hippocratic Oath. The Hippocratic Oath clearly identifies with the issue of euthanasia and states; “I will not give poison to anyone though asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a plan” (Torr, 26). So right away, ethically (in accordance with a taken oath), euthanasia is not accepted. Not only is it not accepted, but doctors know that it is not accepted because they have taken this oath. Just like there is no “right to be killed”, there is not a “right for doctors to kill”; that is the same thing as murder, and just because a doctor does it, does not make it right to do so. Having this mindset can be very dangerous and can lead to many outcomes, none of which are good. This isn’t the first time that euthanasia has become a leading controversial topic in the U.S, it happened back in the 1930’s in the midst of the Great Depression. During the Great Depression, there was a lot of controversial arguments over whether citizens should have self-determination in the topic of euthanasia. Soon after these arguments took place, World War II broke out and many citizens learned of the Nazi encampments (Newton). Suddenly, the idea of euthanasia had …show more content…
Involuntary euthanasia can lead to a third world war or even a second holocaust or mass genocide. This, as well as the many more peaceful alternatives to euthanasia, is why the United States should be cautious in it’s desire to euthanize patients. Euthanasia is too dangerous for the United States to
“You always have a choice” is …show more content…
There is no “right to be killed”, and there is no easy way to control euthanasia. As soon as it becomes legalized, it can easily become comparable to genocide. In fact, euthanasia is strictly against the oath that most doctors follow upon becoming a doctor; the Hippocratic Oath. The Hippocratic Oath clearly identifies with the issue of euthanasia and states; “I will not give poison to anyone though asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a plan” (Torr, 26). So right away, ethically (in accordance with a taken oath), euthanasia is not accepted. Not only is it not accepted, but doctors know that it is not accepted because they have taken this oath. Just like there is no “right to be killed”, there is not a “right for doctors to kill”; that is the same thing as murder, and just because a doctor does it, does not make it right to do so. Having this mindset can be very dangerous and can lead to many outcomes, none of which are good. This isn’t the first time that euthanasia has become a leading controversial topic in the U.S, it happened back in the 1930’s in the midst of the Great Depression. During the Great Depression, there was a lot of controversial arguments over whether citizens should have self-determination in the topic of euthanasia. Soon after these arguments took place, World War II broke out and many citizens learned of the Nazi encampments (Newton). Suddenly, the idea of euthanasia had …show more content…
Involuntary euthanasia can lead to a third world war or even a second holocaust or mass genocide. This, as well as the many more peaceful alternatives to euthanasia, is why the United States should be cautious in it’s desire to euthanize patients. Euthanasia is too dangerous for the United States to