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Hannah Johnson
Devin Patten
English 1010
March 5, 2015
Euthanasia: Strong Response Essay
Euthanasia is topic on the rise throughout the world. Using the most basic definition,
euthanasia is a method of suicide where a physician assists in an individuals death through the
injection of medication in lethal doses with the intention of ending a life. (Christian) This has
been done in many instances some voluntary and some involuntary. (BBC) Regardless of who
makes the decision it is to complete the procedure it is a question of ethical validity.
Ross Douthats article regarding the morality in physician assisted suicide, euthanasia,
delves deep into how this is very personal choice with severe results. He states that the very case
for physician assisted suicide depend[s] on human sympathy. (Douthat) Enacting this form of
medication is in essence meant to release an individual from severe, unnecessary suffering.
Douthat reflects back on an example of the infamous Doctor Death otherwise known as Jack
Kevorkian. Assisting in over 130 suicides, Kevorkians work was referred to by some as an act of
humanitarianism rather than a criminal enterprise. (Douthat) Douthat pays careful attention to
differentiate between true physicians assisted suicide and an act of murder. Essentially, putting an
individual out of their misery (Douthat) without their consent, is not a justified act regardless
of the goodwill intentions from the individual implementation the process. Many of Kevorkians
clients had requested such measures to be taken and thus agreed to the terms of events. He goes
on to state; euthanasia should not only be an option to all humankind but should be respected and
recognized as a natural right. It is not just a matter of showing sympathy for their devastating

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medical conditions but rather be granted to an individual because they are human and with that
should be granted certain unspoken rights. Among those, one should be able to reserve their right
to a more ethical suicidal death. Douthats question in the matter being, once this right is granted,
where is the line drawn regarding who is eligible for such extreme actions? Should only medical
pain be included or would severe emotional pain such as the death of a loved one qualify? As in
the case of Dr. Kevorkian, this line became a little hazy. Eventually, he began making money
from his patients, in addition to the salary he received for public appearances on television and/or
other media outlets where he would discuss the medical treatment offered. Later, Bruce Falconer
demonstrates support for this notion that euthanasia is the last human right. (Douthat) However
in Douthats opinion, murder is murder and Kevorkian deserves to be in prison.
It is clear to the audience that Douthat is passionate about his case regarding euthanasia
and the morality concerning said actions. He gives many explanations for his opinions and
undoubtedly gets his point across to the audience. However, these explanations have a few
logical fallacies and while some support is given, the article could have been improved.
The claim on euthanasia offered up from Douthat is that It should make us proud of our
country that [Kevorkian] would likely find himself in prison where murders belong. Sharing
ideas that assisting in the death of another individual regardless of the method is in no way a
heroic act but should be at best described as a criminal enterprise. (Douthat) The article,
among other things, includes fallacies such as the slippery slope and begging the question. In
addition, the lack of resources makes it difficult to find credibility in Douthat and fails to
recognize his background in the subject.
First, Ross Douthat demonstrates the slippery slope fallacy asking at what point is it
appropriate to draw the line for who is eligible for such procedures and who is not. If the goal is

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to for all intents and purposes put an end to suffering, why stop at the terminally ill? Why not
offer it to a devastated widower or a parent who has lost their child? (Douthat)
Subsequently, it is stated that Dr. Kevorkian was administering these deadly drugs to
individuals who were not inquiring about them or even knew what the effects of taking the drugs
may be. Most plainly, it is not considered merciful to prescribe an overdose to a cancer victim
against her will. (Douthat) Evidently Douthat is engaging in this fallacy by creating an instance
in which there is no winning once the deeds have begun.
On the other hand, Douthat applies the techniques of rhetorical writing quite well. In fact,
it is easy, as the audience, to recognize that he has spent time researching the subject or else had
first-hand experience with the trial and sentencing of Doctor Jack Kevorkian. Stating that the
man was given many nicknames, one of which being, Dr. Death.
Though he could definitely use more, Douthat draws on many examples regarding
studies, surveys that have taken place and numerical data to further prove his research on the
topic of euthanasia. At one point using the citation of Bruce Falconer in his profile of the clinic
known as Dignitas, which was founded by Ludwig Minelli, stating that the charges for physician
assisted suicide at this particular clinic can be upwards of $6,000 for its ministrations. Minelli
also makes declarations supporting Kevorkians final statement that choosing to die is a natural
human right and is a marvelous possibility given to a human being.
Douthat also does a wonderful job of pulling on the heartstrings of the audience as he
states that euthanasia would not exist without the dependency on human sympathy. Not only
does he play on the sympathies of his audience, he draws on other aspects of their beliefs of what
is ethical and moral when treating other human beings as well as the patriotic intentions of the
intended audience being brought up in the United States of America where we have proper

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judicial systems. Pushing that we should be proud of our country that [Kevorkian] would likely
find himself in prison where he belongs.
Overall, Douthats use of rhetorical strategies and verbatim was very successful in
exploring his perspective on the subject and why that should be the opinion of his readers as
well. Though it was flawed in a couple of instances, it was well written and effectively fulfilled
the purpose of writing the essay.

Works Cited

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Douthat, Ross. "Dr. Kevorkians Victims." The New York Times. The New York Times, 05 June
2011. Web. 05 Mar. 2015.
Nordqvist, Christian. "What Is Euthanasia (assisted Suicide)? What Is the Definition of Assisted
Suicide or Euthanasia?" Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 26 Sept. 2014. Web.
25 Feb. 2015.
"Voluntary and Involuntary Euthanasia." BBC News. BBC, 2014. Web. 25 Feb. 2015.