Euthanasia in the United States
Every year two million people die in North America. Chronic illness, such as cancer or heart disease, accounts for two of every three deaths. It is estimated that approximately seventy percent of these people die after a decision is made to forgo life-sustaining treatment (Choice in Dying). In America and all around the world, the ongoing debate is whether patients should have the opportunity to implement this critical alternative of euthanasia. Although controversial, it is imperative that United States citizens are not denied this right to a humane death. Groups in opposition to euthanasia say that patients who yearn to make this decision are neither in a healthy psychological state of mind nor have the God-willing right to do so. These groups feel if euthanasia were to become a publicly accepted option to the terminally ill that physicians, family, and even patients may abuse it. They also strongly support modern end-of-life treatment, known as palliative care, as a more logical and moral option.Perhaps the strongest belief that euthanasia is wrong comes from those who follow the words of the Bible and believe that every aspect of life belongs to God. The Old Testament records an incident
Another demonstration of where euthanasia worked out in the best interest of the patient and family can be found a story of just having the option of euthanasia available to them. Courts and legislature really have no part in making this an illegal or legal issue (The right to choose to die, 15). As in all cases, the responsibility of the patient's life should be up to a medical staff in concurrence with the patient and family. After Zylicz had left the hospital, another doctor entered the patient's hospital room and asked her husband and sister to leave. Obviously, this man truly cared for his mother and her well being, just as any son would. For reasons like these, if a person were to become disabled without previously completing a living will in a clear state of mind, they should not be put to death. Undoubtedly, euthanasia can be gruesome and downright immoral if not managed with extreme responsibility, but groups in support of euthanasia still support terminally ill patient's option to die with dignity and respect. In 1994, for instance, the Dutch television station IKON's filming of the death of a man with Lou Gehrig's disease in a documentary, "Death on Request," brought a denunciation from the Vatican (Branegan, 30). "Mercy or Homicide?" By John Donovan and Forrest Sawyer. Although it is widely believed that euthanasia is wrong under any conditions due to religion, many people are not spiritually strong enough to handle a terminal illness such as cancer or multiple sclerosis in its final stages. When a patient does ask, the doctor should not proceed without consulting another independent physician. " When Hink originally requested to be put to death he was denied, but after multiple months and multiple requests he came home from the nursing home to be with his family and was administered poison by a doctor.
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Acceptance Essays
