The Right to Die - Assisted Suicide - Essay Example

Some of the ways through which this can be achieved are by assisted suicide. This is the main focus of this research.

This entire issue of ending one’s life has elicited a lot of debate in modern times. The major reason that has sparked this debate is just that at the center of this issue is that it is a person’s life that is in question. There are proponents of both sides. Some individuals are for the idea with the thought that the issue of mercy killing is morally acceptable. In fact, what is being said is that there is a right to die. An example of such proponents might be seen in the members of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of Scotland.

At the same time, there are those proponents who are totally against this whole issue of this type of life termination. These individuals think that the taking of a person’s life is unacceptable under any circumstance. In some cases, it can be said that suicide is acceptable, only that it has not been put up in the books of law. However, the issue of doctors assisting the patient to commit suicide is a whole story altogether (Whiting, n.p.). One of the major opponents of the whole euthanasia issue since time immemorial has been the Catholic Church.

There are very few countries that permit euthanasia. However, this is under very specific circumstances. An example of such a circumstance is when a person is in excruciating pain. However, even though these few circumstances may allow for mercy killing, there has to be sufficient evidence to furnish this sort of action (Manoj, n.p.). It is also important to note that there are those countries that are adamant in the acceptance of this issue, regardless of the state of the patient. An example of such a country is Japan or even Columbia.

What happens in these countries is that the patient is just left to be in the state in which he or she is until his or her body eventually gives in. On critical examination of the position that is held in this case is that there will be the questioning of whether the right action has been taken. Would it be right to kill the person to help them avert the pain that is associated with their current state or would it be logical to let the person be in that state of pain on their deathbed (Whiting, n.p.)? These and many others are some of the questions that leave people at crossroads when the issue of euthanasia pops up in forums and discussions. In the United States for example Euthanasia is not acceptable in all the states. This is under homicide law. According to Wisconsin Laws, the act of mercy killing is not acceptable in any way.

So despite all these arguments are there any good things or benefits that are associated with the act of euthanasia? Well, the so-called benefits that are associated with this practice are also under question. The first benefit that is brought forth in this connection is that it alleviates the sick individual from the pains and troubles that are associated with his or her ailment (Manoj, n.p.). Another benefit that may be seen in this case will be realized by the family and friends of the patient. This is because it will save them on the health costs that they have been incurring to take care of the sick individual.

In this same relation, it is argued that the resources that are used on a person who is terminally ill could be used on a person who shows signs of possible recovery. Another benefit that comes up in this issue is that it makes death a more acceptable phenomenon (Smith, n.p.). This is because it is inevitable that the patient will have to die one way or the other. Another benefit is that it lessens the pain of death. This is so because the methods that are used in euthanasia are very much harmless. This is as opposed to the initial pain that the patient might have been suffering from.

In conclusion, one fact stands out. The ending of one’s life is an act that should not be advocated for at all. The position that I take about this matter is that I am totally against it. This is so because it goes against the societal and religious morals upon which the character of most individuals is founded. Read More