Arguments for Euthanasia: Analytical Essay

One of the main arguments in favour of voluntary active euthanasia stresses the importance of free will, suggesting that patients should be allowed the right to decide if they wish to live or die based on the condition of their health and the severe pain and suffering associated (6). Furthermore, patients should have the option to terminate their life in a peaceful manner, if they are living a life which they do not consider to be worth living. For example, (source 100), interviewed a UK woman with chronic obstructive lung disease who strongly believes euthanasia should be legalised.

‘My quality of life is totally gone,’ she said.

Further discussing how this, along with unbearable pain has made her want to end her life. However, as euthanasia is currently not legal in the United Kingdom, the only way this could be done is by herself. Therefore, euthanasia is the much better alternative as it would allow her to die with dignity, as well as make her and her family much more comfortable with the situation as it is a much more controlled environment and she would not be alone (100). This argument puts a high emphasis on the value of dignity. For example, the reasons in which people request euthanasia are associated with the loss of dignity; such as, loss of control of bodily functions, hopelessness, loneliness, and a loss of ability to do things which give meaning to self-identity. Therefore, it is argued that euthanasia prevents patients from further losing their dignity and dying later in a way which would be more painful and difficult for family members. Instead, euthanasia would allow them to ‘die with dignity’ (90).

While many argue that euthanasia is unethical as it involves the deliberate taking of one’s life, Grohol (2014), suggests that it is unethical to refuse someone relief from misery. With the decriminalisation of euthanasia in places where it is currently illegal, euthanasia could constitute the humanitarian act of mercy and prevent further suffering for patients (6). However, many argue that assisted suicide should be done under the condition that the patient is “in the right mind,” to decide upon terminating their life. This is referred to as the principle of beneficence.

In a survey conducted by (source 6) patients, relatives, nurses, and doctors spoke out on why they think euthanasia should be accepted.

• Patient:“I accept it if the pain is severe and nothing helps. If death is close and a person has to lie in bed and is not aware of anything.’
• Relative:“That’s what I would have for myself. If you know that there is no chance of getting beer, I would not like them to make it go on.’
• Nurse:“if other people have to turn you over and take care of you and there is also severe pain, at least I would accept it for me.’
• Doctor:“If you have an incurable disease nothing can be done to help you and death is imminent, I do accept it.’

I personally have always valued choice and have understood that it is unethical to let someone suffer, where there could be a much better alternative such as euthanasia. However, something which made me really committed to this belief is a short movie I watched, and I would like to share it as I believe it gives great insight and perspective to the extreme suffering of patients and family members. The movie is called ‘Stop the Horror,’ it is based on the true story of the last days of a terminally ill patient. It only has a duration time of six minutes and I was unable to sit through the entire thing. I believe this speaks significantly for what the lives must be like for patients requesting euthanasia of which the law disallows it. It was extremely confronting and made me realise that importance of choice regarding euthanasia and how the pain some patients sudden is much worse than the alternative of death. Due to how difficult the film was to watch I decided to not embed it in this post; however, I will leave a link at the end and you are welcome to make the decision to watch it yourself or not.