The word euthanasia comes from a combination of two Greek words ‘eu’ meaning good and ‘thanatos’ meaning death. The ancient Greeks viewed illness as a bothersome affliction and allowed sick individuals to seek the approval of the state to commit suicide. According to Plato, Socrates considered the agony of painful disease and suffering as just reasons not to “cling to life.” A variety of terms have been used to describe good death including mercy killing, assisted suicide and Physician assisted suicide. Euthanasia gives an individual whose life has turned into a constant and hopeless cycle of pain the only freedom he or she still has, to leave this world with dignity. An assisted dying law would not result in more people dying, but in fewer
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Voluntary euthanasia is at the request of a fully competent person of sound mind who wishes to die. Currently a patient in Australia has no legal right to insist on medical intervention in order to end his or her life. The first person in Australia to legally choose Physician assisted suicide was Bob Dent of Darwin, Northern Territory, who passed away in September, 1996. Dent was assisted by Dr. Philip Nitschke. This was possible under the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, 1995. Dent dictated in a letter to his wife explaining his choice and pleading that this “most compassionate legislation in the world be respected” (Dent, 1996). Dent further described an incontinent, pain racked, totally dependent existence, exacerbated by watching the suffering of his wife as she cared for him. Individuals should be morally and legally permitted to decide whether to terminate their lives by either active or passive means. If patients have a right to refuse treatment even if this leads to their death, individuals should then also have the right to determine the moment of …show more content…
A recent poll conducted in May, 2016 by Vote Compass shows Australian’s strongly support allowing voluntary euthanasia for the terminally ill. Public support for reform has been in the majority for decades. Polls have consistently showed 75-85% in favour (Vote Compass, 2016). One in three doctor’s support Physician assisted dying. Dr. Rodney Syme has warned terminally ill Australians could resort to violent and dangerous methods to end their lives if euthanasia remains illegal. As supporters of voluntary euthanasia try for the 15th time to lodge a Bill to amend legislation in South Australia, Syme stated Australia had fallen far behind the rest of the world in fostering social change. “This is an issue that will not go away and support for it is growing from all over the country” (Syme,
Voluntary euthanasia is at the request of a fully competent person of sound mind who wishes to die. Currently a patient in Australia has no legal right to insist on medical intervention in order to end his or her life. The first person in Australia to legally choose Physician assisted suicide was Bob Dent of Darwin, Northern Territory, who passed away in September, 1996. Dent was assisted by Dr. Philip Nitschke. This was possible under the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, 1995. Dent dictated in a letter to his wife explaining his choice and pleading that this “most compassionate legislation in the world be respected” (Dent, 1996). Dent further described an incontinent, pain racked, totally dependent existence, exacerbated by watching the suffering of his wife as she cared for him. Individuals should be morally and legally permitted to decide whether to terminate their lives by either active or passive means. If patients have a right to refuse treatment even if this leads to their death, individuals should then also have the right to determine the moment of …show more content…
A recent poll conducted in May, 2016 by Vote Compass shows Australian’s strongly support allowing voluntary euthanasia for the terminally ill. Public support for reform has been in the majority for decades. Polls have consistently showed 75-85% in favour (Vote Compass, 2016). One in three doctor’s support Physician assisted dying. Dr. Rodney Syme has warned terminally ill Australians could resort to violent and dangerous methods to end their lives if euthanasia remains illegal. As supporters of voluntary euthanasia try for the 15th time to lodge a Bill to amend legislation in South Australia, Syme stated Australia had fallen far behind the rest of the world in fostering social change. “This is an issue that will not go away and support for it is growing from all over the country” (Syme,