Name: Chen Linye Tutor: Dr Ler Group 5 Voluntary euthanasia should be legalized Euthanasia, a seemingly simple issue, actually

has aroused debates since its coming into existence. Euthanasia can be taken in four different forms: passive, active, voluntary and non-voluntary. Passive euthanasia means removing life-sustaining equipment from a patient to let him/her die naturally. The unnatural way is active euthanasia, referring to applying some specific, leading-to-death methods to a patient with terminal illness. Voluntary euthanasia, obviously, is under the agreement of the patient while the non-voluntary one is conducted without the patients consent. A simple glimpse of this issue may give one the view that euthanasia is undoubtedly reasonable as it is the easiest way to end the suffering of both the patients and their relatives. But some people argue that such suffering can be reduced through advanced medical technology and the abuse of euthanasia makes it a more controversial topic. However, no matter active or passive, euthanasia should be legalized as long as it is in accordance with the patients will. With regard to patients with terminal illness, euthanasia safeguards their equal right to end a life without quality. In addition, legalization of euthanasia also protects physicians from the threats of being accused.

First of all, based on its essence that it puts an end to painful suffering, euthanasia protects human rights, including the right to make decisions about death, rather than violates them. When the disease is proved incurable and the death of the patient is just a matter of when, euthanasia is the only humane and reasonable choice (Chand, 2009). Just like the right to live a better life, one also has the right to end a life which he thinks is lack of quality. What is the meaning of keeping a patient alive with machines when there is no chance that the patient can ever talk, watch or think again? How lamentable it is if a patient is determined to die but nobody would help him simply because of the fear of prosecution! The opponents of euthanasia claim that the desire to die may result from the depression, which can be treated (Bonin, 2012).But they do

not anticipate the possible relapse. Moreover, they seem to overlook the real meaning of life. As Bonin states (2012), life is not living. Even if the patient can be saved again and again, his dignity and pride as an independent human is diminished. Thus on the premise that no other methods are available, euthanasia on a voluntary basis is totally justified and legitimate.

Legalizing euthanasia not only protects patients rights but also drives away the physicians fear of prosecution. Somerville (2009) illustrates her point that euthanasia is detrimental to the essence of medicine and physicians, namely caring, healing and curing. But she might miss the point that respecting the patients will is also part of a physicians duty. Imagine that a dying patient pleads with his doctor to remove the respirator but the doctor has to refuse this pathetic plea just because it is illegal. Somerville also argues that once euthanasia is allowed, how to conduct euthanasia should be made part of medical and nursing education, which she perceives unreasonable. She cites a case in which a patient did not successfully die from euthanasia in Netherlands. However, if euthanasia is totally accepted by the public, then there is no doubt that such education should be compulsory for every medical practitioner so that the patient does need to worry about the likely failure. As Chand remarks, making the issue open to the public and to the law is the only way to reduce the uncertainty and to safeguard the profit both of the patients and the physicians (2009).

Euthanasia enables patients to make their last decision regarding their life. If euthanasia is illegitimate, patients may suffer from extended pain with a damaged dignity. Moreover, legalization of euthanasia eliminates the physicians concern that they may violate the law even if they are simply complying with the patients wishes. Since the controversy of this issue mainly arises from peoples concern about their own benefit, maybe what should be argued is not whether a certain method is legal or not, but what we can do to ensure that people can live, or die, with dignity. (698 words)

References: Bonin, A. (2012). Human Euthanasia, The Debate: The Arguments for Both Sides. Retrieved March 11, 2013 from http://www.examiner.com/article/human-euthanasia-the-debate-the-arguments-for-b oth-sides Chand, K. (2009). Why we should make euthanasia legal. Retrieved March 11, 2013 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2009/jul/01/euthanasia-assisted-suicid e-uk Somerville, M. (2009, November 6). Euthanasia would hurt doctors. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 11, 2013 from http://www.docstoc.com/docs/28999146/Euthanasia-would-hurt-doctors