Euthenasia

Euthanasia

Imagine a world marked by constant pain. In this world you are comforted only by the few minutes of sleep you get in-between the waves of pain caused by your cancer. This world expands only to the edges of your bed. You can’t eat, bathe, move, or take care of yourself. You are completely dependent on the nurse that walks in once every hour to check if you are still breathing. To some this is only a horrible nightmare; to others this is a reason for euthanasia. Euthanasia has been a growing topic of controversy. It has been marked by countless debates of its morality, legality and whether it is a human right or not. In examining the leading issues behind euthanasia all three of these topics are of utmost importance. Where they come together is in the question of whether euthanasia is a fight for a person’s right to die or a fight for a person’s right to kill. Euthanasia should be permitted only to a certain extent. If a person were terminally ill euthanasia would be allowed as long as there is clear consent from the victims themselves.

The first bill for euthanasia was drafted in Ohio 1906. There were many more attempts to pass bills for “a right to die” but they were unsuccessful. One bill for euthanasia was close to being passed in Florida 1967. This bill aroused extensive debate but was unsuccessful. In 1986 Americans Against Human Suffering was founded. It launched a campaign that became the California Death with Dignity Act in 1992.

Other Countries are also trying to pass laws for euthanasia. In Australia a Dr. Philip Nitschke invents a killing machine for a do-it yourself suicide. The machine involves a simple chemical reaction as formic acid is dripped into a solution of sulphuric acid giving off the lethal carbon monoxide gas, which is delivered through nasal prongs. Your first breath of the gas will be your last breathe of life with the sudden death effect the gas will have on you. Australia is now the only nation in the world that has legalized physician-assisted suicides. The law was passed in July but legislators in the country’s Parliament are holding up.

Few states in America have passed laws for euthanasia. There are thirty-five states that have laws punishing assisted suicide. Nine states criminalize assisted suicide through common law. There are three states that have abolished the common law of crimes and do not have statutes criminalizing assisted suicide at all. Oregon is the only state they permits physician-assisted suicides. Oregon’s Law states that an adult who is capable, is a resident of Oregon, and has been determined by the attending physician and consulting physician to be suffering from a terminal disease, and who has voluntarily expressed his or her wish to die, may make a written request for medication for the purpose of ending his or her life in a humane and dignified manner in accordance with this Act.

Someone who is against euthanasia could argue that a person who practiced this would be “playing God”. Those who wish to defend euthanasia can argue back that euthanasia stops a persons suffering. Also, suppose a cure is found or modern medical technologies that can assist a person who is suffering. Euthanasia is a subject that is far too complex to choose and defend only one side. When looking into a debate between two people with the topic of euthanasia at hand one of the first arguments is that people who participate in euthanasia are playing God. Others will argue that euthanasia is “infringing upon God’s will”. Meaning, when a person is going to die their body will be overcome with illness and disease, and the person’s organs and body will shutdown. Therefore, “God’s will” would be acknowledged as man’s physical nature”. According to this, God’s power would be taken from him if someone went through with euthanasia. If those who believe it took the idea that people were “playing God” seriously, then logically there could be no more technological or medical advancements. In other words, any curable diseases or viruses could not be treated because