Euthanasia essay
Euthanasia refers to the deliberate killing of a patient to halt their suffering. People who opt to engage in the practice are usually under a lot of pain. However, there are other cases why people undergo euthanasia (BBC, 2014). For instance, one may feel like a burden to their family in relation to hospital bills. In many cases, it is carried out at the person’s request but there are times when they may be too ill and the decision is made by relatives, medics or, in some instances, the courts. ethics of (Ebrahimi, 2012). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the euthanasia.
Advocates of euthanasia argue that a patient has the right to make the decision about when and how they should die, based on the principles of autonomy and self-determination. [1, 5] Autonomy is the concept that a patient has the right to make decisions relating to their life so long as it causes no harm to others (Ebrahimi, 2012). They relate the notion of autonomy to the right of an individual to control their own body, and should have the right to make their own decisions concerning how and when they will die. Furthermore, it is argued that as part of our human rights, there is a right to make our own decisions and a right to a dignified death.
It is said that relieving a patient from their pain and suffering by performing euthanasia will do better than harm. [4] Advocates of euthanasia express the view that the fundamental moral values of society, compassion and mercy, require that no patient be allowed to suffer unbearably, and mercy killing should be permissible.
The Christian view sees life as a gif offerrom God, who ought not to be off ended by the taking of that life. [1] Similarly the Islamic faith says that “it is the sole prerogative of God to bestow life and to cause death.” [7] The withholding or withdrawal of treatment is permitted when it is futile, as this is seen as allowing the natural course of death. [7]
While autonomy is used by advocates for euthanasia, it also features in the argument against euthanasia. Kant and Mill [3] believe that the principle of autonomy forbids the voluntary ending of the conditions necessary for autonomy, which would occur by ending one’s life.
In conclusion, the topic of euthanasia has drawn a number of conflicting perspectives.