ISSUE REVIEW 1

Should Euthanasia be Legalized?

Bojana Davis

Chamberlain College of Nursing

PHIL347N: Critical Reasoning

September 2021
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Should Euthanasia be Legalized?

Euthanasia refers to mercy killing or the practice of being subjected to painless death

when suffering from an incurable or painful disease by withdrawing access to medication or

other life support measures. In some instances, healthcare practitioners may decide to shorten an

individual's life, especially when there is extreme suffering, and may issue drugs to ease pain

regardless of the possibility of shortening their lives. In modern medical practice, there are

questions on whether the procedure should be allowed to doctors and families in cases where the

patient's suffering is causing extreme emotional or physical suffering and the patient is not able

to make a choice. In some jurisdictions, the practice has led to criminal charges against

physicians when the family of an unconscious patient seeks legal support to stop a facility from

further use of life support. Against the background, this essay aims to consider the legal, ethical,

and healthcare issues surrounding the legalization of euthanasia.

Legal

Pro

Naga, B. S., & Mrayyan, M. T. (2013). Legal and ethical issues of Euthanasia: Argumentative

essay. Middle East Journal of Nursing, 101(899), 1-9. http://www.me-

jn.com/October2013/EUTHENASIA.pdf

Naga and Mrayyan (2013) determine the legal and ethical issues regarding euthanasia.

The researchers argue that the topic is one of the most controversial issues that have led to

numerous debates. The article provides debates concerning active and passive euthanasia by

investigating the arguments presented by proponents and opponents of the issue. For instance,

supporters argue that it is an act of mercy meant to alleviate suffering. Therefore, a patient has
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the autonomy to make decisions regarding the procedure. Nevertheless, the authors add that there

are legal regulations intended to protect patients and healthcare providers.

Con

Pereira, J. (2011). Legalizing euthanasia or assisted suicide: The illusion of safeguards and

controls. Current Oncology, 18(2), 38-45.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3070710/

Pereira (2011) provides evidence that law and principles governing euthanasia are often

ignored, and sometimes the abusers are not prosecuted. For instance, close to 900 individuals are

administered lethal substances each year without consent, and 50% of the cases go unreported.

The practices occur due to ignorance and increased tolerance of evil happening in society. He

adds that initially, euthanasia was exclusive to terminally ill patients when death was the last

option. However, in some nations, it is available to people that claim to be tired of living.

Therefore, the legalization of euthanasia may risk the lives of many individuals if the laws and

safeguards are not followed.

Ethical

Doyal, L., & Doyal, L. (2001). Why active euthanasia and physician assisted suicide should be

legalised: If death is in a patient's best interest, then death constitutes a moral good.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250953870_Why_active_euthanasia_and_physi

cian_assisted_suicide_should_be_legalised_If_death_is_in_a_patient's_best_interest_the

n_death_constitutes_a_moral_good
ISSUE REVIEW 4

Pro

Doyal and Doyal (2001) present evidence that active euthanasia should be legalized,

claiming that such actions should be done in the best interest of the patient. For instance, if a

person's health is sustained by healthcare technology after brain damage and the patient is

severely or permanently incompetent, the treatment will not be beneficial. Then they have the

legal right to with life-sustaining actions, including nutrition and hydration. However, the moral

status of failure to protect life can be viewed as taking it. Therefore, upon legalization, doctors

should always strive to save a life.

Con

Shala, I., & Gusha, K. (2016). The debate over euthanasia and human rights. European Scientific

Journal, 12(8). https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/328025369.pdf

Shala and Gusha (2016) analyze the arguments on euthanasia and the importance of

international human rights. The author presents debates that the practice infringes divine

activities and religious beliefs. Although the practice is illegal, many western nations are moving

towards its legalization due to the interventions by advocates and lawyers. However, the author

tries to show that it is imperative to consider whether the actions are performed in the interest of

the right to die. However, he argues that euthanasia can protect human dignity at the point of

death.

Hajar, R. (2017). The physician's oath: historical perspectives. Heart views: The Official Journal

of the Gulf Heart Association, 18(4), 154.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5755201/

Pro
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Hajar (2017) presents information regarding the Hippocratic Oath that governs physicians

and patients’ relationship. The provisions covered in the framework touch on different matters

that affect the connection, including end-of-life issues and euthanasia. The article shows the

moral duties of physicians and their accountability on issues that present dilemmas. The current

research considers historical and evolutionary matters regarding different oaths that healthcare

practitioners are expected to follow.

Sleeboom‐Faulkner, M. A. R. G. A. R. E. T. (2006). Chinese concepts of euthanasia and health

care 1. Bioethics, 20(4), 203-212.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6751750_Chinese_concepts_of_euthanasia_and

_health_care

Con

Sleeboom‐Faulkner (2006) provides a debate on euthanasia and how taking it out of

economic and political contexts may lead to violation of the Stoic ideal. The author examines the

Chinese republic as the case study area. He quotes the inadequacy of the country's healthcare

system where essential services such as organ transplants are inadequate. The article describes

China's euthanasia laws and recommends applying a transnational framework where the issue

can be evaluated.
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References

Doyal, L., & Doyal, L. (2001). Why active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide should be

legalised: If death is in a patient's best interest then death constitutes a moral good.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250953870_Why_active_euthanasia_and_physi

cian_assisted_suicide_should_be_legalised_If_death_is_in_a_patient's_best_interest_the

n_death_constitutes_a_moral_good

Hajar, R. (2017). The physician's oath: historical perspectives. Heart views: The Official Journal

of the Gulf Heart Association, 18(4), 154.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5755201/

Naga, B. S., & Mrayyan, M. T. (2013). Legal and ethical issues of Euthanasia: Argumentative

essay. Middle East Journal of Nursing, 101(899), 1-9. http://www.me-

jn.com/October2013/EUTHENASIA.pdf

Pereira, J. (2011). Legalizing euthanasia or assisted suicide: The illusion of safeguards and

controls. Current Oncology, 18(2), 38-45.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3070710/

Shala, I., & Gusha, K. (2016). The debate over euthanasia and human rights. European Scientific

Journal, 12(8). https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/328025369.pdf

Sleeboom‐Faulkner, M. A. R. G. A. R. E. T. (2006). Chinese concepts of euthanasia and health

care 1. Bioethics, 20(4), 203-212.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6751750_Chinese_concepts_of_euthanasia_and

_health_care