Legalizing Euthanasia

8 Pages 1890 Words

Legalizing Euthanasia

In early 1970’s Jean and Derek Humphry found themselves in a dilemma. Jean had cancer, and at the slightest sudden movement her bones would crack. Jean was in agonizing pain, which she could no longer endure. One night while Jean and Derek were in bed, she begged of Derek, “Find a doctor who will give us a lethal overdose that I can take.”
After many restless nights Derek agreed and began his search for a doctor. He considered three doctors to nurse Jean back to health but was rejected. This was because the doctor would be subjecting himself to prosecution in court. The other doctor would suffer from malpractice in court and could not afford to lose his license in medicine.
After being rejected, Derek asked a young doctor that he met years ago, who went under the name of “Dr. Joe”. Derek, Jean, and “Dr. Joe” met and discussed what would happen and exactly how Jean would want to die. Jean decided on taking capsules.
Jean died in 1975 as she wished. Jean died a calm and peaceful death. She did not have to suffer for as long as a year. Jean ended her suffering with in an hour and Derek was happy knowing she would not be suffering.
Several years later Derek met a woman by the name of Ann Wickett. The two of them fell madly in love and got married. Derek explained the situation that he and his ex-wife had gone through. Together they formed Hemlock Society and with that explained the proponents of euthanasia.
In this case euthanasia was humane. It was humane because not only was it Derek’s choice but most importantly it was Jean’s choice too. Euthanasia gave Jean a final rest from all her misery since she found out she had cancer. Most importantly, it expedited a slow and inevitable death for Jean. Euthanasia should be legalized, because contrary to common belief euthanasia is a humane act.
There are two types of euthanasia. Those two types are passive and active. Passive ...