Euthanasia and Abortion - Essay Example

ed, it is rather natural to think that people have a complete control of their body and might make any decisions regardless of the opinion of others, including the government. However, there are two situations, namely euthanasia and abortion, which present obstacles on the way of exercising one’s right to bodily autonomy. This paper will argue that the same level of control should be granted to a person in the above mentioned cases. First of all, it may be logical to analyze the idea that favors this approach with regard to euthanasia.

Thus, the supporterd point out that the ideas of passive and active euthanasia are very different and “the process of being ‘allowed to die’ can be relatively slow and painful, whereas being given a lethal injection is relatively quick and painless” (Rachels 2). There is no doubt that no person in the world would like to experience pain for a long time, but would prefer a quick and painless death instead. As a result, euthanasia should be regarded as a logical exercise of one’s bodily autonomy since it reflects the desire of a person.

In other words, people should be granted such a right since this will be beneficial for them. Secondly, the concept of bodily autonomy is closely connected to a larger concept of self determination which is essential for any person who lives in a society. It is suggested that “in exercising self-determination people take responsibility for their lives” (Brock 11). This means that they may be responsible for continuing it or end it at will. In other words, if the law forbids a person to end his or her live, one is deprived of an essential right that makes life incomplete.

Indeed, right to life is universally recognized, but the backside of it, namely right to death is still under the scrutiny of the society. It must be noted that recognition of euthanasia as an illegal action should be regarded as a limit that is placed on person’s bodily autonomy. Therefore, it should be eliminated