Everybody faces death eventually. While some people abhor the impending experience, others may await it excitedly. Regardless of one’s expectations, most people do not wish for a painful end. If a situation arises where one must make a decision concerning approaching death or the death of loved ones, most people would hope for the least possible suffering. While a decision like this is extremely difficult to make, many people choose death as opposed to living in agony. However, others think that euthanasia is reprehensible no matter what the circumstances are. Author Cheryl Eckstein believes, “Killing in the name of compassion and mercy is wrong” (“Can there ever”, par. 9). Homicide and suicide are generally not considered fair or sensible, but sometimes, however, they are carried out as acts of kindness and love. Thus, in certain situations, euthanasia may not be morally wrong.
Eckstein states, “No person is entitled to have death inflicted upon him” (“Can There Ever”, par. 11). However, if a person chooses death in order to prevent prolonged pain and misery, it is being self inflicted, and should not be denied in certain situations. People facing death should have a say in what happens to them. If a person is not physically or mentally able to make this decision, it seems most considerate that their loved ones should be able to aid in this process. If someone’s remaining days are being spent in agony, shouldn’t others attempt to fulfill their last wishes? On the other hand, Colleen McCullough says, “While there’s life, there’s hope” (Why I Oppose, par. 15). However, a drastically ailing being who is forced to keep living undesirably probably has limited hope. The hope they s…
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…y final days include lying in a hospital bed with no hope for a physical recovery, I would like to be able to act on my own wishes, and not be forced to live any longer if my body is telling me that it cannot continue.
Works Cited
Eckstein, Cheryl. “Can There Ever Be A ‘Right To Be Killed’?” Citizen 25 July. 1995. http://www.awinc.com/partners/bc/commpass/lifenet/canthere.htm (27 Feb. 1997)
McCullough, Colleen. “Why I Oppose Euthanasia.” The Weekend Australian 16-17 Mar. 1996. http://www.ucaqld.com.au/trendz/3ethics/oppose.htm (27 Feb. 1997)
Pankratz, Robert C., and Richard M. Welsh. “A Christian Response to Euthanasia.” part 1. http://www. tkc.com/uturn/euthan.html (27 Feb. 1997)
Pankratz, Robert C., and Richard M. Welsh. “A Christian Response to Euthanasia.” part 2. http://www. tkc.com/uturn/ten/euthan2.html (27 Feb. 1997)
Euthanasia Should be Legal
Euthanasia Should be Legal
Euthanasia is the intentional causing of a painless death. Euthanasia should be legal in every state. It is already legal in some areas and if put to a vote in every state, it most likely would become legal. Every state resident should be given the opportunity to vote on the issue. It should also the right of a competent patient to decide his own life, or death. If it is within an individual’s rights to commit suicide it should be legal to ask for help if needed.
Euthanasia is a serious issue and it will not disappear if ignored. The residents of every state have the right and privilege to vote on laws that effect them. Why is the law concerning euthanasia any different? The opponents to euthanasia do not want the issue to go to the polls, because they are worried of the outcome. This is still no excuse to deny the right to vote to citizens. Surveys have been conducted throughout the US and it shows that sixty percent of Americans support euthanasia. Yet these opinions are not being recognized, because these opinions are not expressed in a vote. This law just as any other will effect nearly every person living in Every state so each resident should have the opportunity to vote on the issue. Euthanasia is already legal in some areas. The state of Oregon voted to legalize it in November of 1994. It was held up in court by an injunction until it became law on October 27, 1997. The Northern Territories States of Australia voted it legal in May 1995. Currently in Every state euthanasia is a criminal act by statute. What this means is that a legislative action, not a public vote has made euthanasia an illegal practice. Surveys were sent to random doctors and they were questioned if someon…
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…l to practice.
DeathNET’s MAIN MENU http://www.rights.org/~deathnet/open.html
Deathnet contains links to many sites with all different opinions of euthanasia.
EUTHANASIA-Vess Fast Access http://www.netlink.co.uk/users/vess/fastaccl.htm
The site Vess Fast Access has links to many topics about euthanasia. It is used for fast access to a wide array of subjects.
The Hemlock Society http://www.hemlock.org/hemlock/
Hemlock is a non-profit organization containing current information on euthanasia. It contains a glossary to explain all the aspects of euthanasia, plus many helpful links about the law and other topics.
Assisted Suicide Act http://www.netlink.co.uk/users/vess/ssvbill.html
This site is a outline set up as a proposal for the legalization of euthanasia. It sets strict guidelines for assisted suicide.