Euthanasia is a highly controversial topic that has been at the center of public debate for many years. The word “euthanasia” comes from the Greek word for “good death.” It is the act of ending a life painless or minimally painful, usually to relieve suffering. There are two main types of euthanasia: active and passive. Active euthanasia is when a person takes active steps to end a life, to end his or her own life, such as by ingesting a lethal dose of medication. Passive euthanasia is when a person allows someone else to end their life, typically by taking them to a hospital where they or they will be given an overdose of medication that will kill them. In recent years, there has been much debate surrounding the issue of euthanasia. Some people argue that it should be legalized to allow people to die with dignity, while others argue that it is unethical and should not be allowed. In this essay, I will argue that euthanasia should be legalized.
There are a number of ethical considerations involved in the debate surrounding euthanasia. One of the main arguments favoring euthanasia is that it allows people to die with dignity. People who are terminally ill or have a severe disability can often find life difficult and uncomfortable. They may feel they are a burden to those around them and wish to die rather than continue living in such a situation (Akdeniz et al., 2021). Euthanasia allows these people the chance to die with dignity, which is something that they may not be able to achieve while alive. Conversely, the principle of double effect is a utilitarian argument for euthanasia. According to this principle, it is wrong to intentionally kill someone suffering because doing so will also cause pain and suffering. However, in cases of euthanasia, it might be permissible to kill someone in pain since euthanasia is the only way to relieve their suffering.
The practical considerations involved in legalizing euthanasia are also important to consider. One of the main concerns is that legalizing euthanasia could increase the number of suicides. People who are terminally ill or have a severe disability may feel suicidal and may decide to take their own life if they know that euthanasia is available to them (Kumaravel, 2018). It is also possible that people will use euthanasia as an excuse to end their lives prematurely. If euthanasia is legalized, it will be much easier for people to commit suicide without being held accountable for their actions.
The principle of effectiveness is a practical argument against euthanasia. The issue of euthanasia is complicated, and there are many different perspectives on it. It is important to remember that every person has their own unique set of values and beliefs, which means that there is no one right answer to whether or not euthanasia should be legal (Brouwer et al., 2018). Ultimately, it is up to each state to decide whether or not they will permit euthanasia, and each state will have different laws governing the practice. It is important to research the possible implications of legalizing euthanasia before making a decision.
Some people believe euthanasia should be illegal because they believe it is wrong to take a life. They argue that taking life should always be an act of desperation, not something we do lightly or without thought. They say that allowing euthanasia will lead to more deaths in the future due to people thinking that they can get away with it. This is especially true in cases of active euthanasia, where people might take unnecessary risks in order to end someone’s life (Nicolini et al., 2020). Some people argue that it should be possible for elderly people or people with disabilities to commit suicide without the help of a doctor. This is because they believe that such people should be able to end their own lives without someone else’s involvement. However, many argue that assisted suicide should only be allowed in cases where it is truly voluntary and when no other option is available. In the case of euthanasia, it is argued that this is always the case.
The main reason why people want euthanasia to be legalized is that they think it will end their suffering. However, there is no guarantee that this will be the case. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that legalizing euthanasia could cause more suffering in the long run. One of the main arguments for euthanasia is that it will allow people to die with dignity (Akdeniz et al., 2021). However, there is no guarantee that this will be the case. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that people who are forced to undergo euthanasia may feel more pain and distress than people who choose to die on their own. Additionally, legalizing euthanasia could lead to an increase in the number of suicides. In countries where euthanasia is legal, there has been an increase in suicide deaths. This is likely because people forced to undergo euthanasia may feel too much pain and distress to live without ending their lives.
Overall, there is evidence that legalizing euthanasia could lead to more pain and suffering for people forced to undergo it. Therefore, it is likely that euthanasia should not be legalized. It is important to remember that this decision should be made case-by-case. On the other hand, euthanasia should be legalized. It allows people to die with dignity and without the risk of suicide. The ethical considerations involved are minimal compared to the benefits of legalizing euthanasia.
References
Brouwer, M., Kaczor, C., Battin, M. P., Maeckelberghe, E., Lantos, J. D., & Verhagen, E. (2018). Should pediatric euthanasia be legalized? Pediatrics, 141(2).
Nicolini, M. E., Kim, S. Y., Churchill, M. E., & Gastmans, C. (2020). Should euthanasia and assisted suicide for psychiatric disorders be permitted? A systematic review of reasons. Psychological medicine, 50(8), 1241–1256.
Akdeniz, M., Yardımcı, B., & Kavukcu, E. (2021). Ethical considerations in end-of-life care. SAGE Open Medicine, 9, 20503121211000918.
Kumaravel, A. (2018). Physician Aid-in-Dying: Practical Considerations. American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’ Journal.
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