Should Euthanasia Be Legalized

Death, disease, fear. This is the recipe for euthanasia – the quick and painless answer to an incurable disease and seemingly endless suffering. Euthanasia should be a legal process in which a terminally-ill patient may voluntarily end his or her own life. This has been an extremely controversial topic over the years. Many say that it should be illegal, screaming outright murder. Others say it should be legalized…. It should be. The process of euthanasia is having a patient sign a waiver agreeing to allow a doctor to inject them with a toxic substance that will end their suffering and allow the person to have a quick, painless death. Some equate this with being more dignified and peaceful. This method of suicide is meant only for patients …show more content…
Many say that euthanasia should be illegal, claiming that doctors can abuse it too easily; others criticize it based on religious beliefs. Proponents for its legalisation usually cite humanitarian grounds and believe that the potential for abuse can be controlled. Euthanasia is currently illegal in most countries in the Western world. It is legal only in Colombia, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. (Wikipedia) In the United States, it is legal in only five states. (Wikipedia) Some countries, such as Canada, have legalized only passive euthanasia, whereby a doctor withholds the medical treatment necessary to keep a patient alive. Outside of these few exceptions, euthanasia has been criminalised altogether in most other countries. (Wikipedia) Despite this, there are many persuasive arguments that support the legalization of euthanasia. Firstly, people who are terminally ill should have the right to choose whether to live or die. Secondly, when suffering, euthanasia through assisted suicide can help someone put an end to constant misery or pain. Lastly, health resources are limited; a choice to end life when terminally ill can free up these resources to treat …show more content…
There is a shortage of health resources in many countries around the world. Thus, people who are ill and can be cured are not being treated and helped due to the shortage of health resources. The real question is, “Does the patient even want their life prolonged?” They could be miserable in their condition. In some cases, health care resources are being used on people who cannot be cured. Giving the terminally ill the right to choose euthanasia will not only fulfill their wish, but would also allow the allocation of health resources to be used to treat others who have a fighting chance to live. Money spent to prolong a patient’s life that is not valued, can be better spent on another patient who can be cured and live a normal life. ' 'You find all kinds of patients trying to cope with dying - angry patients, calm patients, happy patients, sad patients, ' ' said Dr. Richard B. Freeman, a kidney specialist. ' 'And there are patients who just curl up and die far sooner than necessary. ' ' (The New York Times) Depending on what country you live in, not everyone has the opportunity for treatment in the desired amount of time. Sometimes people have to weigh the pros and cons of waiting for a treatment versus going to another country to get the treatment right away. However, getting treatment elsewhere can be very costly depending on the country. Some people may choose to go to another country