Attempting to Elucidate the Opinion of the People Concerning Euthanasia - Essay Example

Euthanasia Terminal ailments and some other chronic diseases cause extreme pain and suffering to patients. In orderto alleviate this pain some palliative strategies have been developed through research. However, some diseases predispose patients to agonizing situations that are not only unbearable but also very disturbing to the people around the patient. In an effort to control some of these incidences, some governments have developed policies to allow euthanasia as an ultimate solution to pain. Such decisions have created massive criticism and complain from different quarters (Spack 23-27). I conducted a survey among twenty people in order to get their understanding and opinion about euthanasia. According to my survey, it is apparent that quite a number of people have little understanding of euthanasia and are adamant to embrace the practice. In an attempt to elucidate the opinion of the people and evaluate their propositions about euthanasia, a survey was done. The survey targeted twenty respondents who were required to answer fifteen questions based on the topic of euthanasia. To prevent any inconveniences to the respondents, the survey took approximately ten to fifteen minutes per respondent. The questions were framed in such a manner that one question led to a more deeper and specific question. The responses were brief, most of them having yes/no questions, while some required some brief explanations. No personal data was supposed to be provided in the survey forms in order to protect their confidentiality. The questions were brief, simple and clear so that the respondent clearly understands what the questions involved. Majority of the people interviewed have some basic understanding of euthanasia. Fourteen out of the twenty respondents could distinguish euthanasia and assisted suicide. The reasons given by the respondents about the differences were justifiable, a situation that demonstrated that they understood some aspects of the practice. The basis of assisted suicide as revealed by most of the respondents relates to a person wishing to die. In addition, it is not done to escape a painful and incurable situation. True to the fact that euthanasia is a controversial issue, most of the respondents believe that the practice is not ethically justifiable, nobody among the group stood for the ethical justification. However, lack of experience in having people who were willing to be euthanized among majority of the respondents revealed that, they didn’t really comprehend the magnitude of the situation facing these people. Only two among the twenty had an experience with an individual willing to be euthanized. Euthanasia is one of the practices that are common in the media. A whooping majority, seventeen out of twenty respondents confessed having never heard or read about the practice in the media. This presents the situation as minor, because if it were a major issue many would have read about euthanasia in the print media and heard through the electronic media. Euthanasia does not appear to be one of the emerging issues neither is it a problem that has been given a lot of attention. However, the fact that a few individuals have heard and read about the practice is enough evidence to reveal that Euthanasia is not any strange around us. Death and pain are resented aspects according the findings of the survey. The majority of the people was of the opinion that life is extremely important and should be protected at all costs. A substantial majority of the people said they would prefer having a person who helps another in committing suicide be prosecuted. In addition, they would not support a death sentence for such an offender but they supported the argument of the legal system handling the case appropriately. However, considering the sensitivity of the cases presented, a majority are of the opinion that euthanasia should be made legal in some cases. This proves the understanding of the people about euthanasia and the opinion they have towards unbearable pain and suffering. A simple majority opposes justification of the practice as an ethical practice. The rest are neutral about the practice being ethically justifiable. This further demonstrates the perception people have towards death. Some are not confident of expressing a strong stand on ether extreme while the majority prefers the practice remaining illegal under all circumstances. Individuals value life highly and would consider euthanasia as the last option. As depicted by the opinions of most of the respondents, doctors should use all possible means to prolong the lives of their patients including when they are suffering. The high value given to life is demonstrated here. Sixteen of the respondents were of the opininion that doctors should do their best to ensure the patients remain alive. However, there are some who are opposed, these people believe that some conditions should make provisions for doctors to terminate life. This stand is not common since the rest of the related questions seem to be pointing out that life should be valued highly above all things. Half of the people took the stand that there are situations that they would be willing to participate in euthanasia, three others were not sure, while seven were opposed to the participation. Approval of the practice was met with mixed reactions. The response to the question of approval of the practice if one of relatives wanted it was met with varying opinions. Half of the respondents could not approve while eight could, two of the individuals had no firm position. This reveals that even under painful conditions with one suffering from incurable diseases, a majority of the population would not accommodate the idea of having to perform euthanasia. To demonstrate the disapproval people have against euthanasia, only six out of the twenty could allow the practice to be done on them. These might have undergone through painful situations and do understand what it means to be under extreme pain and distress. Fourteen of the respondents could not imagine such a practice being done on them. Ideally, all humans love themselves; this is exemplified by the response they gave for the case of a relative. Despite the esteem life is taken with, pain and suffering is detestable. There appear to be individuals constantly supporting the practice of painless killing. Such persons have a likelihood of having undergone through traumatic events that resulted into pain or had an experience with a person under pain. Such situation leaves a person thinking that the best remedy would be termination of life, because this solves the situation for the last time. Fourteen of the respondents were in total agreement that there are circumstances that should call for legalization of euthanasia while only three individuals were opposed to the move. Some of them also said that they could allow the practice done on them, despite their small number their significance is felt. Much more than these would approve the practice if their relatives were involved. Comparing the life of animals to that of people draws the attention of individuals who love their pets more than they do even to friends. The first question on animals was meant to draw an understanding of how the respondents relate humans and animals. Surprisingly, a significant number, five, individuals said that both are equal. In the same line of thought, most of the individuals said that humans should be put to sleep when they are suffering. Reasoning using the arguments presented by the respondents, they are concerned with whatever the animals goes through just like human beings since sixteen out of the twenty have or had pets. Euthanasia seems to be encouraged by the respondents in this case, being among the last questions, the questions about the pets tries to bring the point of pain and suffering close home. It is evident from the results of the survey that most of the individuals would not tolerate pain but would otherwise consider euthanasia. In conclusion, the results presented by the study are quite informative about euthanasia. Firstly, it is evident that quite a number of the population, do dot know much about the practice. The survey acted as a revelation to most of them and the results were a testimony. Publicity of the practice is not well developed since few people claimed to have read or heard about the practice. Because of the fear of death, many people have divided opinion on whether they can embrace the practice or not. Works Cited Spack, Ruth. Guidelines Teacher's Manual: A Cross-Cultural Reading/Writing Text. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print. Read More