The legalization of euthanasia
The legalization of euthanasia has been a hotly-debated topic in the medical field. Some people have argued that physician-assisted suicide (PAS) should be made lawful to control more suffering to patients in healthcare amenities. Still, I say, it is against the right to life whatsoever. Assisted suicide involves a process where medical practitioners facilitate a patient’s death by encouraging the use or providing a lethal dose to the patient to initiate suicide. Think of a situation where physicians may misuse the legal process for personal gain. Despite an individual‘s consent due to pain and suffering, deliberate killing is against social norms and code of medical ethics; therefore, it should be considered a criminal act and evil in society.
A study conducted by Mayo Clinic in 2005 on terminal illness diagnosis, showed that in most cases, the prediction from doctors is rarely accurate. Patients considered in end-stage disease situations such as lung cancer where a specialist may recommend euthanasia were found to live longer than predicted by the doctor hence resisting legal platform for assisted killing (Yang et al., 2005). Besides, the establishment of strict guidelines enough to limit euthanasia to the victim becomes almost impossible where legalized. According to Etienne Montero, Faculty of Law in the University of Namur in Belgium, following a strict interpretation of the legal process for euthanasia cases is extremely difficult (Jones, Gastmans & MacKellar, 2017). Therefore, some ill-minded physicians might abuse the law for personal gain.
In conclusion, life is a God-given gift, and no human should, under any circumstance, limit the right to life. Besides, medical facilities should help to nurture this gift rather than restrict it no matter the situation. The right to life is considered an ethical principle based on the social norms and beliefs that should be respected by all entities, including the government. Therefore, law stakeholders and the entire human race should rise to declare euthanasia illegal and against social values, hence punishable under the legal ground.