End For The Lives Of Their Patients example essay topic

Euthanasia refers to the intentional bringing about of the death of a patient, either by killing him / her, or by letting him / her die, for the patient's sake to prevent further pain or suffering from a terminal illness. Euthanasia is a complex issue in many underlying theological, sociological, moral, and legal aspects. Its legalization is heavily debated around the world, with strong arguments made for both sides of the issue. The supporters of euthanasia often repeated that "We have to respect the freedom of the patient' or "people should be able to exercise control over their own lives and death". However, Euthanasia, by nature, is "wrongfully killing" or "mercy killing", and if we allow any type of euthanasia, all sorts of negative affects might follow, and our commitment to improve the lives of the terminally ill might be weakened.

In essence, nothing is worse than our right to life itself being diminished in value from the theological perspective. The debate of legalizing euthanasia is not about the right to commit suicide or to assist in suicide. It is about placing the lives of the weakest among us in the hands of people other than themselves who often have self-serving agendas. Once society gives a group of people the right to end life, our right to life disappears behind red tape. The principle of the sanctity of human life is a fundamental ethical norm and the value of life is not negotiable. Therefore, a reasonable prudent person should not accept the practice allowing their lives be taken away by others.

Secondly, from the sociological perspective, euthanasia is the tragedy arises from pressure exerted by a materialistic, self-centered society which increasingly embraces the notion of "throwing away" human beings. There are people who would allow physicians to kill their parents and grandparents once they cease to function as providers of life's necessities and opportunities. After many years of service, mom and dad, granny and grandpa are treated like dogs, they are sent to the hospital to be injected with a lethal overdose of drugs. Supporters of euthanasia lie to themselves and others by saying that they want to end suffering. Their true motive is to get rid of those who become a problem, so they can enjoy their lives with more time and money. Thirdly, from the medical morality perspective, euthanasia is assisting suicide that violates the morals and values of the medical world.

Current mindset of doctors is to heal their patients. They have the goal to fight to the end for the lives of their patients. But, if euthanasia is allowed, doctors will be put in a mindset which implies to only help patients if they measure up to a certain standard. Therefore, life is so devalued that it no longer deserves to be fought for until the end. This mentality that once life hits a certain point, it is a hopeless situation and should be brought to an end immediately sets the medical world in the pathway that leads to all types of immoralities. Moreover, from the legislation perspective, the height of arbitrariness, injustice and abuse is reached if euthanasia is legalized, since there is no sufficient legal resort to exercising euthanasia.

It is accepted the possibility that even other people may sign a request for euthanasia on behalf of the incapacitated patient and in the presence of witnesses. In addition, the law doesn't provide any specific punishment against physicians giving euthanasia without the necessary requisites. The choice of euthanasia becomes serious when it takes the form of a murder committed by others on a person who has in no way requested it and who has never consented to it. In addition, if euthanasia is allowed, there will be a huge increase in suicides. Suicidal people who temporarily suffer from depression typically undergo severe emotional and physical strain. Depression which contributes to the sense of hopelessness is the primary trigger of most suicidal behavior.

When patients are suffering greatly from the pain, they are very likely to give up medical treatment to end their lives easily. However, depression can be treated and the feeling of hopelessness can be re-channeled in more rational and positive ways. Legalizing euthanasia will deprive a significant part of suicide at tempters of their chances to pursue medical and professional psychological assistance to overcome depression. Finally, I think the reason that many people support to legalize euthanasia, is not because they really respect people's freedom of living and dying, but because they do not care about this issue at all. If euthanasia is legalized, many patients might face the cold reality that the society and other people do not care about their lives. Those patients will be disadvantaged by apathetic public judgment.

A simple "yes" or "no" decision will significantly affect a small and weak group of people's fates. However, the debate of legalizing euthanasia is a complicated and controversial issue that relates to people's fundamental rights of living and dying, which should not be decided in such a normative and irresponsible way. In conclusion, the debate of legalizing euthanasia is a complicated issue relating to morality. Americans should not cross the line of moral boundaries. There are no theological, sociological, moral, and legal bases to allow euthanasia. Legalizing euthanasia will increase the rate of suicide and harm patients' rights.

American people should not sell their fundamental rights of living over to the agenda of euthanasia..