Introduction
There has been an ongoing discussion regarding the legalization of assisted suicide or so-called euthanasia. The problem of its legalization intersects a range of disciplines, including medicine, law, religion, philosophy, and demands the participation of specialists from all these fields to make an impactful decision (Kimuyu, 2018). It is vital to decide if assisted suicide should become lawful and identify the reasons for its legality.
Debates about Assisted Suicide
Typically, there are two opposing sides of the debates related to the assisted suicide. The proponents consider assisted suicide as a fundamental human right alongside a right for life (Kimuyu, 2018). Additionally, they view it as a means of alleviating one’s suffering. Meanwhile, the opponents consider euthanasia as a crime committed by a person against oneself and society (Kimuyu, 2018). Assisted suicide allowed on the scale of an entire country speaks of a global spiritual disease.
Examples
Numerous states have discussed the issue of assisted suicide legalization and came to a concrete decision. One of the first countries to legalize assisted death was the Netherlands. The state allowed for assistance in committing suicide in 2002 and it is now not prosecuted (Kimuyu, 2018). The procedure is provided with a strict set of conditions: the patient must suffer from an incurable disease and have no chance of recovery. They must express a desire to die while entirely sane and insist on it for a certain period. In 2002, Belgium followed the Netherlands in passing a law legalizing euthanasia (Kimuyu, 2018). Patients must be Belgian citizens and permanent residents in the country. In the United States, whether or not to allow assisted suicide depends on the particular states (Kimuyu, 2018). So far, it has been permitted in four states but remains illegal nationwide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, assisted suicide or euthanasia remains the cornerstone of multiple heated debates in different countries. In my opinion, euthanasia should be legalized because if there is a right to life, then there should be a right to death. Moreover, if a person cannot cope with the pain and knows their condition is incurable, they should resort to assisted suicide. Nevertheless, the issue is increasingly controversial, and specialists from different fields should make a final decision.
Reference
Kimuyu, P. (2018). The age-old practice of euthanasia. GRIN Verlag.