The Paradox of Euthanasia

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What is euthanasia?

Euthanasia is the medical term used to describe the deliberate ending of one's life for compassionate reasons. It has been criminalized in many countries and is punishable by imprisonment.

NOTE:
Some words are indicated with dark colour. Click on them for further definition in case you are unfamiliar with them!


Lethal injection

Different constitutions:

There have been numerous legislations passed by European member countries prohibiting medical professionals from carrying out such procedures. Laws vary from country to country. In some areas, euthanasia is still existent.

Interesting figures
 

Disagreement between professionals:

There is a substantial number of different perspectives, both sides passionately defending their own point of view. However, there has been no scientific consensus on this issue.

Quarrels to a global extent:

The main question to be taken into consideration is whether making the allowance for undergoing euthanasia is morally right or the abolition of such should be signed into law by world leaders worldwide.

The question is not as easy as it looks at first glance!


Different semantics:

There are countless subcategories of euthanasia with different interpretations. I have perused several sources to provide you accurate and detailed information:

  • Voluntary euthanasia: 
    When euthanasia is conducted with consent. Both the patient and the physician agree to put an end to the patient's life.

  • Involuntary euthanasia:
    When euthanasia is performed on a person who would be able to provide consent, but does not, either because they do not want to die, or because they were not asked. This is called murder, as it’s often against the patients' will.
  • Non-voluntary euthanasia:
    When euthanasia is conducted on a person who is unable to consent due to their current health condition. In this case, the decision is made by another appropriate person, on behalf of the patient, based on their quality of life and suffering.
Types of euthanasia

The two medical classifications of euthanasia:

  • Passive euthanasia:
    When life-sustaining treatments are withdrawn or the doctor no longer provides medical treatment to keep the patient alive. To illustrate this, a life support machine is turned off, or a feeding tube is removed.
The latter is heavily debated due to different religious and moral views on the issue!

What is common between these is the paradox between them and what the Hippocratic Oath includes among other things:

"I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect."

Owing to the rapid improvement of groundbreaking technological innovations, some doctors may consider this way of thinking rather obsolete and outdated.

The supportive attitude towards patients

Reasoning for and against:

Arguments in favour of euthanasia:

  • Human beings should have the right to be able to decide when and how they die

  • Euthanasia enables a person to die with dignity and in control of their situation.

  • It is expensive to keep people alive when there is no cure for their illness. Euthanasia would release precious resources to treat people who could live.
    (Condemnatory)

  • It is an overwhelming emotive experience for families and friends seeing the pain of their loved ones suffering a long-drawn-out death.

  • Society permits animals to be put down as an act of kindness when they are suffering; the same treatment should be available to humans.

Advocates of euthanasia

Proponents of euthanasia:

  • euthanasia would weaken society's respect for the value and importance of human life
  • it would lead to worse care for the terminally ill
  • it would put too much power in the hands of doctors, and damage the trust between patient and doctor
  • it would undermine the commitment of doctors and nurses to save lives
  • it would discourage the search for new cures and treatments for the terminally ill
  • some people unexpectedly recover (arguable)
  • some people may change their minds about euthanasia and be unable to tell anyone. Once it had begun it is irreversible. (slippery slope)

The disbelief of protestors

Conclusion:

What is common in all forms of euthanasia is that having a terminally ill beloved one is not an easy thing to deal with.

Concerned sons and daughters

Personally, taking everything into account, I would say that the patient himself / herself should be the only decision-maker when it comes to opting for euthanasia, if conscious. However, if there is no verbal response from the patient and there is no chance of recovery, I advocate the idea of leaving the decision to the closest family members and the doctors. I would definitely ask the physician if there is a little chance of revival. If not, then euthanasia is justified to take place so as to ease the excruciating pain of the patient as humanely as possible.


The inevitable end

Sources:

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