Euthenasia

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Euthanasia



Euthanasia has been a controversial topic for quite some time but made a huge impact in the media when Dr. Jack Kevorkian sentenced to a 10-25 year prison term for giving a lethal injection to Thomas Youk. Euthanasia, meaning “good death” is the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit. People today try to differentiate between the distinction of killing someone and allowing someone to die. When we look at this topic some questions are raised; specifically who gets to decide when you should live or die? At what point does an individual get to end his or her life with active euthanasia, which the immediate cause of death is not the patients’ disease but something that is done or given to the patient to cause his or her death.
One argument on euthanasia from a Utilitarianism perspective, says that if the pain of one person is causing pain to others, that it is in the best interest to end that person’s life. If a persons’ life has lost all value and is causing the person nothing but pain, then why not end the pain for them and their families. The philosopher James Rachels states: “Terminal patients sometimes suffer pain so horrible that it can hardly be comprehended by those who have not actually experienced it… The argument form mercy says: euthanasia is justified because it provides an end to that.” (Velasquez, 2005)
Some terminally ill patients are in unbearable pain and/or experience an intolerably poor quality of life. They would prefer to end their life rather than continue until their body gives in. Who is anyone to deny them their wish or right? I believe that the person’s right whether they live or die comes from the mere factor that we have free will and choice. Who is someone to say that you cannot die?
A prime example of this controversial topic is about a woman named Teri Schiavo, who spent the last 15 years of her life ...