your views on euthanasia?

Question

im doing an ethics project at school on euthansai and have to write about pro - life and pro - choice. what are your views on euthanasia because it will really help

thanks
xxx

Answer 1

I think that if someone really wants their own life to end and has valid reasons- such as they have an illness that means they are going to continue to suffer, then i think it is unfair that they cannot choose to end their own life, just because they do not have the capability to do so themselves. People commit suicide daily, and although i don't believe it's the right thing to do in most situations, I do think it's a right we have as humans to control our own destinys. Could you really deny somone release from a terrible exsistance (such as a illness where they will deteriorate so much they will no longer be able to do anything) if that is their wishes?

The problem comes when it becomes an excuse for others to commit murder. Just as we have the right to control our own destinys, no other human has the right to control a seperate humans destiny against their wishes (even in cases where they may think it's the best thing to do).

Therefore i believe that for euthanasia to be legalized, it would clearly need to be regulated very closely, or you will get people taking advantage of the situation. But in a case where a person is of sound mind, but doesn't have the ability to take their own life, yet has valid reasons (of course what reasons are valid causes another problem, but currently i think the main cases are where people have an illness that is going to dibiliate them slowly and painfully and will eventually take their life naturally in which case this is valid to me i belive), then they should be able to make there own choice, even if they cannot carry out the 'suicide' themself.

Answer 2

very very difficult subject. I know of many cases of elderly or hospitalised people who want to end their life, just cannot take the pain any more. I think they should have the right to decide this BUT who would help them, i.e. administer the injection or witness their request. On the other side, many elderly people don't want to be a burden on their children, some of whom may want to claim their inheritance quickly. How can you differentiate between the emotional pressure and blackmail that a greedy child may make and the elderly person's own wish to end their life?
It's the thin end of a wedge. Euthanasia for volunteers first, then how do you decide whether that person really DID want to take their own life or was persuaded to? Then it comes down to, if it is OK to kill an old person with no future, can you kill a newborn disabled child with no future of quality? Where do you draw the line?
I am in favour of voluntary euthanasia, to end pain and suffering BUT we must make sure that the person has full knowledge of what they are doing and has not been unduly influenced by others, that the decision is their choice alone.

Answer 3

You could ask 100 people for their views on euthanasia and you would probably get 100 different answers. If the person is in pain constantly, even though it may not be terminal, then why would anybody want to make them continue their life. Even their family, who love them very much, do not really want to see them suffer. I would imagine it takes more love to let them go.

To avoid the problem of various greedy family members wanting to let someone go because there was something in it for them, this could be avoided by the person concerned writing a living will, or, choosing two or three friends and making their wishes known to them. This would take the family out of the loop altogether. I hasten to add, this would only apply to certain families.

I know someone who has no use of his body at all, but he is quite content with his limitations and his life. He can still read, go out, see his family, spend time on his computer and is free to socialise whenever he wants. However, his fear is having a stroke, suffering from dementia or some other brain affecting disease. He is of the opinion, if you have no brain then you have no life. I agree, and I would imagine that the majority of the population would also agree.

I feel the Pro-Life brigade can shout and protest as loud and as long as they want to, but don't let them presume they know how a person who is lying in a bed unconscious waiting to die must be suffering.

If we could all just think about that for a moment, because it could happen today, tomorrow or in two years time, you could be crossing the road and hit by a bus, you could have a brain haemorrhage, contract Motor Neuron Disease, the possibilities of injuries and disease which cause brain damage are many and varied. Just think, would you want to live like that. I wouldn't!

Answer 4

I did a project at school all to do with euthanasia and was it right or wrong and I found out so much! At first I was against it completely, all forms of it, but when you do your research you see that there are so many people suffereing who actually want to die and everything changes, I think genuine euthanasia is understandable (ie helping someone you love and care for, who is suffering, to die because THEY want to) as long as it is euthanasia. There is a certain stigma surrounding euthanasia and you should reseach everything about it to get a clear view, try looking at "Not Dead Yet" and "Dignitas", they are the main groups for and against euthanasia. But to answer your question I think that GENUINE euthanasia is acceptable. Hope that helps in some way.

Answer 5

During my lifetime I have seen a few close relatives die from terminal illness. Usually towards the end ( maybe last few weeks) their quality of life has become so low & intollerable that it almost seems cruel to keep them 'alive' if you can call it that. We treat animals with more compassion than people in some cases & we can be dragged before the courts for ill treating an animal by causing it un-necessary suffering yet we do it all the time to people who are desperately sick. Yes, we're dead for a long, long time so it does seem vital to maintain someones life for as long as possible but what is the point if all they can do is lie drugged up in bed unable to recognise or communicate with loved ones & with all pride & dignity gone? On the other hand as a few people have said if euthanasia became accepatable & the law it would need to be policed very closely to avoid problems

Answer 6

I think as long as close relatives are in agreement with them, then yes, euthanasia should be an option. It would have to face a certain criteria, such as chronic pain, or loss of limbs. But no-one should face action from the police if it is a family decision - it's their own business.

I think when it comes to defining it as 'murder' or whatever - my opinion is that we're human beings and we have a unique understanding of life and death. It may be disgusting, but sometimes it may just be necessary. And there's a sense of honour in it too - why live a life of pain?

Answer 7

I believe euthanasia. people who evaluate it heavily after dealing with ailment and therapy are the only ones who fairly comprehend what components into it and what the suited execs and cons are. everyone outdoors of this occasion would have an theory and a ethical view yet won't be able to comprehend. What its no longer basic for me is scientific interference on a decision like euthanasia or "pulling the twine" on somebody. i do no longer think of a doctor or a scientific expert delivers "professional" suggestion on something so own and emotional. the main suitable element a doctor would desire to do for a kinfolk or a affected person pondering euthanasia is an admittedly human opinion, she or he would desire to settle for that the wellbeing practitioner's answer is basically a attitude, no longer an order or a sentence. I say this via fact a kinfolk or a affected person with limited training or information of wellbeing situations would sense forced via a determine of authority to do something they might sense sorry approximately. An impartial scientific expert, such as genetic councilors would desire to be knowledgeable to help and empower the individuals in contact without guiding them. previous that i think of that a lucid and conscious affected person who's in soreness would desire to take shipping of help and the choice to end his or her existence in a dignified and healing way. i do no longer comprehend what that's choose to evaluate dying via fact the main suitable achieveable consequence and no person is allowed to accuse those human beings of taking "the common way out". no person with a common intelligence would take euthanasia gently.

Answer 8

It depends on whether you are talking about animals or humans, it is an accepted practice for animals to end any suffering. However with Humans it becomes a moral and religious issue. Humans suffer with end of life issues also but to euthanize would I think be wrong because of these moral issues. However if a person wants to end their own misery and commit suicide I do not think that they should be stopped, instead I think they should be aided to be as merciful as possible.

Answer 9

An impossible question to answer.
I instinctively am against euthanasia but I wouldn't guarantee that I will not change my mind should I suffer from some awful untreatable illness.

Answer 10

The practice of terminating the life of a person or animal in a painless or minimally painful way in order to prevent suffering should be taken seriously by the governments of each country.

I believe, if a person has the right to live, he should also have the right to choose to end his life.