Euthanasia Should be Legalized in All 50 States of the United States
On a deathbed, sick, crying, and in pain. That is the life that many patients with terminal illnesses face; pain that has no end. Approximately 40% of the population, about 133 million people, in the United States have incurable chronic diseases. Many of them wish to end their life to escape the suffering that they have faced. Euthanasia is physician-assisted suicide for people in extreme pain, however, it is only legal in a few states such as California, Colorado, Oregon, and Vermont. But, euthanasia should be legal in all 50 states because it allows for death with dignity, psychological relief, and ends their pain.
To begin, one of the most common phrases related to death by euthanasia is “Death with Dignity.” A real-life example of a woman is Diane Pretty, who is suffering from motor neuron disease. She wanted to be in control of her death, a death where she would not slowly fade away and become incompetent, but rather her husband helping her. The courts unlawfully denied her request. When Pretty eventually becomes incompetent because of her disease, doctors will conclude that there is nothing else that can be done for her; and that she will have to rely on “medical technology” for the rest of her life. Pretty should have the option of saving herself and loved ones from seeing her in that mental state. It is a legal and natural right to control your own body and choose what happens with it. The United States Supreme Court upholds the “doctrine of double effect”, which states that medical treatment given to relieve pain is acceptable. Patients have the right to decide whether they want surgery, chemo, medicine, etc. Death is a part of life, and everybody must face it at some point, but people that have been burdened with sickness deserve the choice of choosing when they leave this world to save themselves from seeing their body and intellect deteriorate.
Subsequently, illnesses can be psychologically damaging for the patient and loved ones around them such as family, children, friends, and spouses. Patients do not make the choice of ending their lives lightly, nor, is it solely because they are suicidal or have depression tendencies; there are safeguards put in place to ensure this. In Oregon, patients wishing to be euthanized cannot utilize this option if a mental health disease such as depression is present. they have to be declared mentally fit by two other health professionals. Competent individuals are entitled to the right to choose to end their suffering from disease and grueling medical treatments. Some parameters can and are set to ensure that euthanasia is happening for the right reasons such as writing a letter taking “responsibility” for their decision in wake of their death. Even though the Constitution declares everybody has the right to pursue happiness, many patients with incurable diseases do not have the ability. Their bodies are destroyed to the point where they cannot take part in everyday activities, missing the quality of life that should be guaranteed.
Moreover, terminal illness can cause unbearable pain to an individual. At certain points when a patient cannot tolerate such a confined environment, they come to the decision that they want to end their lives medically with the support of their doctors. But, many states in America, unfairly, don’t consider that legal. This choice only becomes an option, when one decides their fight is hopeless and the thought of living becomes unbearable. A physician’s duty is to help their patients to the best of their ability; sometimes the best they can do is to let them end their pain. Patients with incurable diseases have the power to end their lives for their benefit.
Though Euthanasia can be beneficial to a patient, it is not as simple as it seems. By legalizing euthanasia the International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force claims people are agreeing with the idea of death by carbon monoxide and plastic bags being legal. Euthanasia is not practical and is glorified suicide. The pressure put on the acting physician to help someone kill themselves is immense; it could affect their role as a healer. In Oregon, a state where euthanasia is legal, many people have been recorded taking advantage of the state laws and committing medical suicide for psychological and social concerns rather than mental and emotional pain. But, the people making these arguments are not justified. Suicide is not illegal in any of the 50 states; consequently, physician-assisted suicide should not be either. Euthanasia does not exist to free people of their mental health problems, but rather help patients get relief.
Euthanasia helps many people achieve their best life, even if it is shortened. Patients did not get to choose how their life developed, but they do deserve to choose when to end their suffering in order to save their self-respect and happiness. People without terminal illnesses do not get to make decisions about people that do have them and are suffering. Without personal experiences, people cannot and do not understand the pain, worry, and burden sickness can cause. Therefore, euthanasia should be legalized in all of the states, but with parameters to make sure it is being done safely and for the appropriate reasons.
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