Introduction
Euthanasia is referred to as a practice where someone is killed basically in the argument of merciful grounds so as to bring to an end the sufferings of patients who may have been ill for a long time. Euthanasia is carried out on three different grounds which include: voluntary aspects, non-voluntary, or else involuntary (Naga). This practice is carried out in two different ways through omission where life necessities are denied to the terminally ill patient or through the action process where an exercise like the lethal injection is done. It is however distinguished from murder or suicidal acts, hence being referred to as mercy killing. The Euthanasia debate has continued to grow more wide and wide on whether it is morally acceptable in relation to different major religions like Christianity, Islamic, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. Legal aspects also play a very significant role in whether to practice the act or not. Therefore, the research paper is inclusive of the pros and the cons in relation to euthanasia where the final conclusion on whether to go for the exercise lies on the individual understanding and belief.
Positive aspects of Euthanasia
There has been the legalization of euthanasia in some countries in the aspect of alleviating suffering for the patients who undergo terminal illness. These terminal illnesses involve unbearable pain where it is considered unfair for someone to endure such pain and end up dying at the end. A quality life is very important but there are some incurable diseases such that even if effective treatment was provided, it becomes impossible to acquire it. In consideration of this argument, an induced death is, therefore, necessary where the patient is allowed to make the decision whether to allow the action to take place or not. Everybody has a chance to make a choice to live or not and since euthanasia is all about choice freedom, an individual’s choice should be respected especially when he is in great pain.
The aspect of waiting for someone’s death is quite frightening and at the same time traumatic especially when there are no hopes of living long or being well. About the medical philosophy, it is considered ethical when the patient who owns his or her own right to life, chooses euthanasia instead of going through intolerable anguish thus promoting the patient’s rights. Euthanasia has been considered as a means of reducing the family cost which is spent on health care especially when there is no hope for the patient to recover into good health. These patients continue to strain the little family income available which could be used in other developments. The promotion of mercy killing does not preclude the exercise of offering the paramount palliative care which is needed but it is involved in the integration of the sympathetic care as well as the enhancing the patient’s autonomy leading to a dignified death (Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia – Pro and Con).
Negative aspects of Euthanasia
Despite various reasons why euthanasia should be allowed it is however considered morally and illegally incorrect thus calling for the banning of the exercise. It is therefore considered irrational to view killing in any sense as a peaceful and merciful exercise. In many regimes, it is constitutionally illegal to carry out the exercise for whichever reasons (Leadership U. Nothing under all cost that can be said to substitute human life therefore, there should be the provision of exception security along with the protection. Out of the advancement of medical expertise, it has been made possible for the promotion of quality human life as well as its span. Some of the institutions such as the palliative care centers have made it possible for those that are physically challenged or else those that are on their deathbed to experience better life (The Concept of Euthanasia Term Paper).
Taking into consideration of the religious aspects different religions consider euthanasia as wrong and at the same time an evil act. Christians believe that God is their creator who is the owner of life and therefore no one who has full control of it except Him. The Islamic faith also believes that euthanasia is morally wrong as it is a means of taking the position of Allah who is the giver of life. Beyond religious and legal aspects promoting euthanasia would on the other hand promote victimization especially to the societies that are considered as vulnerable. It is clear that almost in all constitutional sets up there is always the human right on right to life in which, enhancing euthanasia is like transforming this right into death right through killing (Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia – Pro and Con).
Life-threatening illnesses do not automatically present the absence of recovery into a healthy state as this has been made possible through the advanced treatments. Therefore, doctors cannot accurately predict filmily on when the death must happen thus, euthanasia is one way of promoting unlawful deaths by the fact that the same patients could in one way or another survive later and be instrumental to the society at large. The promotion of euthanasia either legally or through moral considerations is a means of encouraging distrust between the patients and the doctors where the patients view their doctors as a threat to their life rather than individuals who are meant to help in saving their lives (Morrow).
Conclusion
Euthanasia has been reported in some cases where it has been misused out of the desire for early wealth inheritance devoid of the patient’s consent where the life support requirements are withdrawn which is also against the patient’s dignity. There is clear evidence that even though different religions have different beliefs, there are common aspects in relation to life and death. They all believe in the protection of human life at all cost which includes Christianity, Islamic, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism even though some religions such as Buddhism with Hinduism allows euthanasia which is said to be carried out of compassionate acts. Therefore, in my opinion, euthanasia should never be allowed to happen at all costs. No one has control over his life as the control is vested in the supernatural being that controls all that is in the universe (Euthanasia and Religion). It is therefore a way of denying someone the right to life.
Recommendations
Various critics have continued on euthanasia where there should be no assumption on the same since the act has continued to take place. It is, therefore, necessary to come into an agreement if any on how to assess mental turmoil that qualifies euthanasia. It is also recommendable to put into consideration of the constitutional aspects of law before making a decision to carry on euthanasia as well as the societal needs where the decision of the patients should never be overlooked especially when he is against the act.
References
Euthanasia and Religion. ReligionFacts. 2011. Web.
Leadership U. Euthanasia: Mercy or Murder?. 22nd 2011. Web.
Morrow, Angela. Euthanasia. 2011. Web.
Naga, L. EUTHANASIA – A Negative or Positive Component. 2nd 2011.
Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia – Pro and Con. 22nd 2011. Web.
The Concept of Euthanasia Term Paper. Search for College Term Papers Online. Web. 22nd