Controversial Position such as Supporting Death Penalty - Essay Example

Debates concerning euthanasia range from the easiest and least painful way in which an individual can be given euthanasia, to the ethical status of euthanasia. Euthanasia is prohibited on religious and ethical grounds irrespective of the victim’s will, and should thus be illegalized.

A vast majority of religions, particularly the Abrahamic religions, consider both suicide and murder some of the gravest sins described by these religions. For example, killing one person is considered equal to killing all mankind according to Islam. Proponents of euthanasia say that euthanasia is not murder since the will of the victim is involved in it. In a vast majority of cases, this is not what happens. A lot of cases of euthanasia happen to people who are either mentally retarded, or are patients of a comma. In neither of these cases, the victim is able to decide for himself/herself. The decision is made by the relatives who are bearing the expenses of medical care of the victim. There are certain cases in which the personal will of the individual who is given euthanasia, is involved. From the religious perspective, this may not be a murder, but for sure is a suicide, which is again a grave sin. This sin is committed not only by the victim of euthanasia who opted for it but also by the doctors who helped in making the victim’s wish come true. Therefore, religion condemns euthanasia whether or not the personal will of the victim is involved.

From the ethical perspective, euthanasia is wrong as well. In the case when the victim’s will is not involved, ending his/her life is essentially a violation of his/her most fundamental right of living. Every human being deserves to live till the time of natural death. It is not for other human beings to decide when a certain individual’s life should be brought to an end. On the other hand, when the victim’s will is involved in euthanasia, giving him/her euthanasia is still unethical for several reasons. People opting for suicide are psychologically disturbed and overcome with distress and tension. The solution to their problems is medical help and psychological therapy, not euthanasia. If the individual is allowed to survive, his/her health might improve with the passage of time. Besides, an individual does not feel the same at different points in time. Many individuals opting for euthanasia might want to change their decision for the better at a later point in time. Giving them euthanasia upon their will deprives them of this right.