Support Pro Euthanasia example essay topic

... j ection of the importance and value of human life" ("Arguments Against Euthanasia"). By choosing to take a persons life rather than caring for them and nursing their sickness, we'd be sending a message of that person not being worth our time or care. It's also thought that if one chooses euthanasia there's the possibility they would be choosing to end their life too soon. One example of this is in the book Euthanasia is NOT the Answer: A Hospice Physician's View. The author Dr. David Cundiff discusses how in the weeks before his death the sixty-two year old "Mr. White" had openly talked about the possibility of suicide with his doctor.

He had stated that he was aware that his lung cancer had reached an incurable state, and he felt that because the disease had been so excruciating and had posed such an inconvenience on his wife and family that he would rather get it over with than prolong the pain. With no desire to enter a hospital or nursing home, he'd made plans to end his life after the holiday season had passed. In an immediate attempt to save the man, Mr. White's doctor changed his medicine prescriptions and admitted him into a hospice program. A hospice nurse was ordered to visit the White's home on a regular basis. She attended to all his needs, answered all questions, and made sure that the proper medical equipment and attention was provided. Mr. White's pain became noticeably more controlled, and he was able to enjoy Christmas with about sixty members of his extended family.

There had been no mention of suicide for weeks when he died of pneumonia in the comfort of his own home. Mr. White's wife said after his death that the final weeks were very meaningful to him and his family. Despite the amount of difficulty there had been in her caring for him during his ending days, Mr. White was able to die peacefully not in a hospital, but rather at home the way he had preferred. If Mr. White had chosen to end his life at the time HE had deemed appropriate, he wouldn't have been able to share the joy and love of his family during the holidays.

Even his family admitted that his natural death was important to them; despite the emotional burdens and financial obligations it created. Those who are against euthanasia being legalized use examples such as Mr. White to argue that even though the family does experience a small burden while caring for their loved one, the emotional benefits received when continuing medication and allowing a natural death are far greater. There are, however, many other reasons people choose to disagree with the act of euthanasia. Many religions state that the taking of any life, your own or someone else's, is not supported (Cundiff 64). With descriptions varying from violating the Divine Law, to negative karma, Catholicism, Protestant, Unitarianism, Islam, Judaism, Greek and Russian Orthodox, Hinduism, and Buddhism are among the religions that provided detailed reasons for the dissuasion from euthanasia (Cundiff 65-71). With each side holding strong to their arguments for and against euthanasia, there has been a lot of pressure on the government as to how to respond to this action.

In October of 2003 the band Hell on Earth caused much controversy in St. Petersburg, Florida when news let out of their plans to allow a terminally ill fan commit euthanasia at one of their shows. While Senators and the Governor did all they could to shut down the show, the band reacted with protests and examples of loopholes in the laws against their procedures. With cases of euthanasia becoming more common, and much more publicized the government needs to start facing the issues. While the government may not want to offend religious groups and anti-euthanasia organizations, or they may not fully support pro-euthanasia advocates, our leaders need to consider both sides and make the best decisions for all parties. The battle coming from those who support the legalization of euthanasia is strong, and they will continue to push to get their way until something is done. Pro-euthanasia groups also provide many good cases as to which euthanasia would be appropriate or the best decision for all parties involved.

In an effort to compromise between both sides, euthanasia should be legalized. If this were to happen, those who would like to have the option of euthanasia would be able to choose it. It would calm a lot of the legal battles that are presented and would cause less stress for the family members of the terminally ill. Doctors and hospitals would be able to spend less time providing for patients who are incurable, and less money and resources would be spent on the fatally ailing. While it may not exactly please those who are anti-euthanasia, they would not be forced in any way to participate in acts of euthanasia. Family members would be able to decide if the pain their loved one was experiencing should be put to an end, and if they were being selfish in keeping them alive.

Many would be able to be at peace knowing they would never have to prolong their pain, and that those surrounding them would never have to watch them suffer through an agonizing death or pay for it afterwards. By legalizing euthanasia, our leaders would be taking huge actions to provide peace of mind and calm what Newsweek had addressed as "a growing concern of most Americans".

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