Life is a long, treacherous journey filled with many blessings, disappointments, surprises, and failures. Nonetheless, the only thing guaranteed in our unpredictable lives is that one day each of us will meet our death. According to the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, euthanasia is “the act or practice of killing someone who is very sick or injured in order to prevent any more suffering.” Understandably, someone suffering from a terminal illness such as AIDS, cancer, or Alzheimer’s may think it best to put an end to his or her agony as soon as possible. Although many argue that there are good intentions in carrying out this mercy killing, they do not change the fact that euthanasia is murder and should remain illegal in the United States of
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Medical advancements are made every day: what may have been an incurable disease decades ago can be easily prevented and treated today. For example, tuberculosis claimed thousands of life during the 17th century in Europe and was referred to as “The Great White Plague”: today, antibiotics and other drugs are available to cure the disease. Fundamentally, an act of euthanasia could prove to be unnecessary in a short period of time in the event that a cure or alternative medication is found. The assumption that a patient with a terminal illness either has to suffer a slow death or receive euthanasia is a common misconception. The World Health Organization remarks: “…Now that a practical alternative to death in pain exists, there should be concentrated efforts to implement programs of palliative care, rather than yielding to pressure for legal euthanasia." The efforts used in administering lethal injections to dying patients to hasten their death could be used to administer drugs to relieve and manage physical …show more content…
In a state of vulnerability, a terminally ill patient may opt for euthanasia out of consideration for the family and in fear of becoming an emotional or financial burden. Family members may also push for euthanasia for their own reasons as well. "The terminally ill are a class of persons who need protection from family, social, and economic pressures, and who are often particularly vulnerable to such pressures because of chronic pain, depression, and the effects of medication" (Alaska Supreme Court, 2001). It is also likely that with the legalization, insurance companies will push for euthanasia as a means for the company to save money. In another instance, Canadian residents, Betty and George Coumbias sought to be the first couple to be euthanized after George suffered from heart disease: Betty Coumbias has excellent health (The Suicide Tourist). Hence, the law should definitely remain to protect terminally ill individuals from feeling as though it is their duty to die and individuals who have death
Medical advancements are made every day: what may have been an incurable disease decades ago can be easily prevented and treated today. For example, tuberculosis claimed thousands of life during the 17th century in Europe and was referred to as “The Great White Plague”: today, antibiotics and other drugs are available to cure the disease. Fundamentally, an act of euthanasia could prove to be unnecessary in a short period of time in the event that a cure or alternative medication is found. The assumption that a patient with a terminal illness either has to suffer a slow death or receive euthanasia is a common misconception. The World Health Organization remarks: “…Now that a practical alternative to death in pain exists, there should be concentrated efforts to implement programs of palliative care, rather than yielding to pressure for legal euthanasia." The efforts used in administering lethal injections to dying patients to hasten their death could be used to administer drugs to relieve and manage physical …show more content…
In a state of vulnerability, a terminally ill patient may opt for euthanasia out of consideration for the family and in fear of becoming an emotional or financial burden. Family members may also push for euthanasia for their own reasons as well. "The terminally ill are a class of persons who need protection from family, social, and economic pressures, and who are often particularly vulnerable to such pressures because of chronic pain, depression, and the effects of medication" (Alaska Supreme Court, 2001). It is also likely that with the legalization, insurance companies will push for euthanasia as a means for the company to save money. In another instance, Canadian residents, Betty and George Coumbias sought to be the first couple to be euthanized after George suffered from heart disease: Betty Coumbias has excellent health (The Suicide Tourist). Hence, the law should definitely remain to protect terminally ill individuals from feeling as though it is their duty to die and individuals who have death