Suffering, unimaginable pain, and the loss of meaning in life are all fears that people face when thinking about their eventual deaths. However, these fears can be dismissed by the practice of physician-assisted suicide. This practical and ethical procedure is a safe and humane way to help those with terminal illnesses die on their own terms without causing more damage to not only themselves but to their family as well. While physician-assisted suicide is frowned upon by many moral crusaders, the legalization of this process is necessary due to the need for protection of people’s rights, the current working application of supportive legislation, and the support of a majority of the population where activism is occurring. As stated by the
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The protection of the right to autonomy, the right to “independence and the right of self-determination” (Marker), is an important factor in the legalization of assisted suicide. Forfeiting the value of the life that one had before illness struck, can be seen as more debilitating than the sickness itself, as witnessed from a case in the Netherlands, where a “proud lady reject[ed] being admitted to a nursing home. For her this equals unbearable suffering” (Boer). By restraining assisted suicide, terminally ill patients are losing respect for themselves as they are forced into dependent positions that they feel to be “unbearable”. The right to a death with dignity is also an endangered right without the legalization of physician assisted suicide. Having the ability to die while still maintaining a healthy mental state is one of the main focuses of a death with dignity. Without having mental stability and full physical control, the value of life that these patients have slowly begin to deteriorate, becoming a great concern for those being diagnosed with a terminal illness. This fear was showcased through Brittany Maynard, a 29 year old, diagnosed with a terminal brain …show more content…
As seen with legislation in the Netherlands, there can be issues with fulfilling the guidelines that are set up the government. In one case, it was reported that 23% of the euthanasia cases were not reported to the government like they were supposed to by law (Richmond). Although the small percentage, 77% of all of the cases were reported and the detrimental minority should not overshadow the supportive majority. There is also a concern when dealing with the medical staff that would have to commit the process of euthanasia on a human being. How having to help kill another human being can affect the mental health of these professionals has been a constant brick wall in the fight for the legalization of euthanasia. This may have some merit as seen in a study where it was proven that there is positive relationship between euthanasia and depressed mood and suicide risks, as veterinarians who commit euthanasia on animals are four times more likely to commit suicide than people in other professions (Tran). Posing as a possible serious threat, additions to legislation that require therapy and psychiatric treatments for the practitioners of euthanasia can be created to fix this
The protection of the right to autonomy, the right to “independence and the right of self-determination” (Marker), is an important factor in the legalization of assisted suicide. Forfeiting the value of the life that one had before illness struck, can be seen as more debilitating than the sickness itself, as witnessed from a case in the Netherlands, where a “proud lady reject[ed] being admitted to a nursing home. For her this equals unbearable suffering” (Boer). By restraining assisted suicide, terminally ill patients are losing respect for themselves as they are forced into dependent positions that they feel to be “unbearable”. The right to a death with dignity is also an endangered right without the legalization of physician assisted suicide. Having the ability to die while still maintaining a healthy mental state is one of the main focuses of a death with dignity. Without having mental stability and full physical control, the value of life that these patients have slowly begin to deteriorate, becoming a great concern for those being diagnosed with a terminal illness. This fear was showcased through Brittany Maynard, a 29 year old, diagnosed with a terminal brain …show more content…
As seen with legislation in the Netherlands, there can be issues with fulfilling the guidelines that are set up the government. In one case, it was reported that 23% of the euthanasia cases were not reported to the government like they were supposed to by law (Richmond). Although the small percentage, 77% of all of the cases were reported and the detrimental minority should not overshadow the supportive majority. There is also a concern when dealing with the medical staff that would have to commit the process of euthanasia on a human being. How having to help kill another human being can affect the mental health of these professionals has been a constant brick wall in the fight for the legalization of euthanasia. This may have some merit as seen in a study where it was proven that there is positive relationship between euthanasia and depressed mood and suicide risks, as veterinarians who commit euthanasia on animals are four times more likely to commit suicide than people in other professions (Tran). Posing as a possible serious threat, additions to legislation that require therapy and psychiatric treatments for the practitioners of euthanasia can be created to fix this