Euthanasia/Physician-Assisted Suicide, should they be acknowledged or not?

   For many years in human lives, there exist some issues that have various approving-sides and disapproving-sides. One of the most controversial issues that have no specific solutions is euthanasia. Euthanasia is admitted in some countries such as the Netherlands and the American state of Oregan. In other countries, it is unconditionally prohibited. Thus, people having different points of view are struggling over whether euthanasia should be permitted or not. Because both the pro-view and con-view are trustworthy, we need to go through both sides of the arguments.

   What is this term ¡°Euthanasia,¡± then? The word ¡°Euthanasia¡± comes from the Greek language; eu means ¡°good¡± and thanatos means ¡°death.¡± Meaning ¡°good death,¡± the term euthanasia implies that the act must be initiated by the person who wishes to commit suicide or is perceived as living an intolerable life. (Robinson)
   Actually, Euthanasia is divided into many parts: 3 types in the ¡°person-concerned view,¡± and 2 types in the ¡°a person-who-acts view.¡±    In a ¡°person-concerned view¡± euthanasia is divided into 3 sorts: Voluntary Euthanasia, Non-voluntary Euthanasia and Involuntary Euthanasia. Voluntary Euthanasia occurs with a patient¡¯s fully-informed request that euthanasia is ok for himself/herself and with recognition by other people. Non-voluntary euthanasia occurs without the fully-informed consent and fully-informed request of a decisionally-competent adult patient. Involuntary euthanasia occurs when the patient is in a comatose state, thereby he/she can not indicate his/her intention. (Dworkin)
   In a ¡°person who acts view¡± euthanasia is split into 2 sorts: Passive Euthanasia and Active Euthanasia. The former is the case where an agent, a doctor, kills the patient doing something specific such as removing life support equipment (e.g. turning off a respirator), stopping medical procedures, medications, etc,, stopping food and water and allowing the person to dehydrate or starve to death, or not delivering CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) and allowing a person, whose heart has stopped, to die. These procedures are performed on terminally ill, suffering persons so that natural death will occur sooner. Passive euthanasia is also done on persons in a Persistent Vegetative State - individuals with massive brain damage who are in a coma from which they cannot possibly regain consciousness. In the case of the active euthanasia the acting person does no specific treatments in order to prolong the life of a patient, thereby allowing the patient to die. (Dworkin)
   In addition to these concepts, nowadays a new term has been introduced, what is called ¡°Physician-Assisted Suicide,¡± in short, PAS. Its basic meaning is the act of doctors to assist their terminally ill patients die or commit suicide. (internet1)

   Those who support PAS offer 4 reasons for euthanasia. The reason is based on the right of the patient to have some say in the process of dying. In other words, the basis of the pro-euthanasia is: the right to die as painlessly as possible, and to die with dignity. (Kass) This group approaches from a humane aspect.
   First, one reason for euthanasia is: the unbearable pain. Probably, the major argument in favor of euthanasia is that the patient involved is in great pain. Such patients rely on medical machines which cause severe agony. To abridge the stress and pain, the patients begin to lie in a ¡°drugged¡± state. Those people, then, come to be in a no-pain state but they are required to be euthanatized from such a state because it is not dignified. Everyone, either those with a life-threatening illness or a chronic condition, has the right to pain relief. With modern advances in pain control, no patient should ever be in excruciating pain. However, most doctors have never had a course in pain management so they're unaware of what to do. Thus, advocates for euthanasia say that euthanasia is the desirable way to alleviate the unbearable pain. (internet1)
   Second, the doctor can demand a ¡°right to a commit suicide.¡± The second most common point pro-euthanasia people bring up is this so-called "right." In other words, committing euthanasia is not about a right to die; rather, it is about the right to kill. It's about letting one person facilitate the death of another. That is a matter of very public concern since it can lead to tremendous abuse of care for the most vulnerable people among us. (internet1)
   Third, people should not be forced to stay alive. And neither the law nor medical ethics require that ¡°everything be done¡± to keep a person alive. (internet1) This kind of law can be adjusted to the terminally ill patient. Moreover, all interventions should be directed to alleviating pain and other symptoms as well as to the provision of emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and the patient's loved ones.
   Fourth, we should consider the patient¡¯s relatives and family as well as the patient himself/herself. The family may spend an extreme enormous amount of money on medical treatment. They also say that the better way is to make an arrangement, and stay tranquil of mind, rather than to wait and be tortured with the horror and fear of death.

   Contrary to these statements, some people argue against euthanasia, based on the ethical view. These people say that regardless of any reason, human beings have the right to live, anyway; and cutting the life line of a person is a merciless killing which is against ethics and against the decision of God.
   This anti-euthanasia group claims that killing innocent people (in this sense, innocent patients) is against natural law, against God¡¯s will, and against the standards of morality. In addition, those against euthanasia say that the right, as to whether to extend the lives or not, is dependent upon the patient. That is, this right endows patients with the justice to deny the treatment of the suicide and life-extension; however this act does not include granting the right for other people or doctors to be in charge of killing the patients. (Dworkin) The nature of the medical profession means doctors must not help others in committing suicide or intentionally kill patients.(Wood)
   Also, patients might not know well about euthanasia, thereby choosing it without their will. In this case, euthanasia is regarded as murder. In addition, when doctors or patients choose euthanasia, patients¡¯ families become depressed and may feel very sad, and frustrated for a long time due to the loved one¡¯s death.

   In my point of view, euthanasia is not desirable because when a patient dies, his/her family will feel really mournful about the death. Although it is important to alleviate the patient¡¯s pain, we have to think about the people around him/her looking forward to see his/her lively countenance again, and suffering from the effort to take care of him/her. Never seeing a person again is really sorrowful; thus, people want to and are trying to see the terminally ill patient as long as they can. Considering this human nature and grief, I think our duty to those patients and families is to make more of a chance and more time for enjoy their lives together. However, when euthanasia is executed, families can not see their lovely ones any more, ever. This is the crueler act, I believe. Also, a miracle can occur. Therefore, euthanasia should not be allowed to be performed for these reasons.



Works cited

Books
1. Dworkin, Gerald, Frey, R.G. and Bok, Sissela. Euthanasia & Physician Assisted Suicide(For and Against). UK. Cambridge University Press, August 28, 1998
2. Kass, Leon. Neither for Love nor Money: Why Doctors Must Not Kill. UK. The Public Interest 94th. September 28, 1989.

Periodicals
1. Van der Maas et al, ¡°Euthanasia, Physician-Assisted Suicide, and Other Medical Practices Involving the End of Life in the Netherlands, 1990~1995.¡± New England Journal of Medicine, vol.335, no.22, Nov 28th, 1996, pp1699~1705
2. Robinson. ¡°EUTHANASIA AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE: INTRODUCTION.¡± The Ontario consultants on religious tolerance. 7 Dec 2002

Internet Resources
1. International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. PO Box 760 - Steubenville, OH 43952. 1996. International Task Force. 15 Sep 2006 [http://www.euthanasia.com/page4.html]
2. Wood, Nick and Perrior, Katie. ¡°Anti-euthanasia group complains to BBC over biased TV News report.¡± Online Posting. 25 May 2006. 15 Sep 2006 [http://www.carenotkilling.org.uk/?show=350]
3. Religious Tolerance Organization. Robinson, B.A. Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide. 2002. Ontario consultants on religious tolerance. 16 April. 2006. 15 Sep 2006 [http://www.religioustolerance.org/euth1.htm]
Home