With just the mention of death, it is a real shock to the world. Then, it is surprising how one can comfortably walk into a medical center and demand to die. Michele’s case could not be the only one in the world but watching her die is flabbergasting (Bueller, 2012). However, arguments as to why it is not necessary to accept euthanasia and the counterargument are explained below.
Firstly, it would be hard to get assisted in committing suicide for fear of death. Despite the sufferings that people go through in life, the majority would not wish to die. Thus, people do all they can to ensure that they live. For instance, they spend all their money and energy as they rely on life support machines in hospitals. Michele seems to have suffered so much for her to make such a decision. She should have known how valuable life is. It is not easy to accept to die for fear of death, unlike Causse, who gives up her life voluntarily.
Secondly, euthanasia may not be the option because patients have a right to know information. When a patient suffers much in life, especially from a terminal disease, they tend to lose hope and may wish to hurry up death. They may lose hope for lack of knowledge about other options to make them survive with less suffering (Santoro & Bennet, 2018). Therefore, as a medical practitioner, Erika should have questioned Michele’s decision to die, and perhaps she would have helped her change her mind. Erika seems to only be concerned with patients’ decisions when she argues that if patients change their decisions, she returns the euthanasia prescriptions. If she was concerned, Causse, who looked energetic and full of life, would have changed her decision.
Thirdly, Christian values of righteousness do not allow human beings to end their life whether by themselves or assisted. Thus, Christians focus on obeying the ten commandments to attain holiness. Committing suicide is one of the commandments that should not be broken if one wishes to remain holy and succeed in receiving a reward for eternal life (Zeigler, 2017). If Michele did not have such value for righteousness, then Erika should have intervened. Both Erica and Michele seem to be ignorant of the Christian value of righteousness that pushes them to agree with euthanasia. Contrary, I would not accept to agree with mercy killing, for I value holiness and life after death.
Fourthly, Christians argue that life is sacred and no one has the right to take it. When God created man, he placed human beings as special and sacred beings. He put them in charge of other things on earth and valued their lives. Even after sinning against Him and were subjected to suffering, He loved them by sending them his only son who would redeem lives. Jesus, the son of God, demonstrated God’s love by loving all kinds of people and reached out to those who suffered, for He also valued life. Therefore, we should value our sacred life and not try to take it away no matter what the sufferings are.
On the contrary, the principle of autonomy would not allow one to disagree with a patient. When Michelle Causse approached Erika on the issue of euthanasia, she might have no option but to give in to her request. According to these principles, patients’ decisions are to be respected, and no one has a right to refute what the patient wishes. Therefore, Erica had to agree to euthanasia based on the principle of autonomy.
In conclusion, agreeing to euthanasia is one of the hardest decisions to make. Basing on fear of death, Christian values, and some ethical principles that govern decision-making, one can make a sound decision. As explained above, medical practitioners may get their hands tied once autonomy comes into the picture. Thus, the decision about whether to accept euthanasia or not depends on the values and ethical principles now and still in the future.
References
Bueller, D. (2012) Do you agree with euthanasia? – Woman’s Assisted Suicide Gets Filmed [Video]. Web.
Santoro, J. D. & Bennett, M. (2018). Ethics of end-of-life decisions in pediatrics: A narrative review of the roles of caregivers, shared decision-making, and patient-centered values. Behavioral Sciences, 8(5), 42.
Zeigler, M. W. (2017). Christian hope among Rivals: How Life-Organizing Stories Anticipate the End of Evil. Wipf and Stock Publishers.