Contemplating Controversy Prompt #3

            One of the biggest debated subjects in the field of medicine is if the patient is allowed to commit physician-assisted suicide (Euthanasia). What this means is if a patient is so ill passed the point of being comfortable, he/she is able to end their own life get rid of the pain.

            There are two sides to this topic, both with extremely different mindsets about this controversial topic. The two are it’s a humans right to choose if they want to die, and the other is it’s not their choice.

            First off the Pro-Euthanasia has about 8 different arguments:

1(1)   It’s a human Right

2(2)   Mercy: cruel and inhumane to refuse someone their right to die

3(3)   Libertarian Argument: Should be allowed when it’s the best interest of all involved, and doesn’t violate anyone’s rights

4(4)   Resources: Cost effective for death ex: medical bills to stay alive even though you’ll eventually die

5(5)   Universality: Everyone deserves a good death

6(6)   Inevitability: it’ll happen anyway so why not have it regulated

7(7)   Death is not always bad: since it’s not a bad thing so why would making it come sooner be bad?

8(8)   Morally equivalent: Passive and active euthanasia are equivalent; passive just allowing yourself to die, active actually killing yourself

Second, Con-Euthanasia has around 10 basic arguments, but here are the important ones:

1(1)   Fear: The pain involved in future and scared to fight it

2(2)   Undermines medical excellence: easier to administer euthanasia than to care for a patient

3(3)   Personal autonomy important, but never absolute: person’s decision to die has life long effects on the lives of others

4(4)   Violates accepted codes of medical ethics: Euthanasia is condemned unethical by World Medical Association

5(5)   Pressure on the elderly: some feel it’s their right to die because they have become a burden on others

These are the arguments presented at every debate about this subject. There will always be a right and wrong, but it’s for you to decide as an individual.
Source:
Basic Arguments About Euthanasia