Euthanasia Impacts of Law, Religion and Ethics Essay Example
Sophia Zeno
Professor Winslow
English 102__127
9 March 2011
Euthanasia Impacts of Law, Religion and Ethics The question of legalizing euthanasia has always been a pertinent one in current society with cancer and morbidity rates consistently rising. What is the most tolerant basis for evaluating the legality of euthanasia? In a positive aspect, it can greatly help avoid a painful or agonizing death, giving the ill patient control over their pending lives and the security of being given a choice. However, many view it as unethical and a form of murder and suicide, doctors being the source of the assisted death. Different forms of euthanasia, such as physician assisted suicide, voluntary active, passive, and non voluntary are major factors in deciding the legality of permitting the procedure, and the various ethical views concerning the sensitive topic between the large spectrum of beliefs on the matter. The court systems have maintained their global stance on the illegality of euthanasia, being largely challenged by its supporters, consisting of various groups, advocating the right to die and the unconstitutionality of being denied that right. In order for one to undergo this process, some factors should be put into perspective, such as the condition and terminability of their illness, the family and patient’s realistic perspective on their current condition and life support, religion, mental health and the large judicial factor which has prohibited euthanasia on a global scale. Physician assisted suicide (primarily active voluntary) should be approached with a more tolerant perspective when looked at from a legal perspective, giving the dying patient more choices in their situation of pending death, such as having the possibility of a painless death through a physician administered lethal drug.
History and Development of Euthanasia Euthanasia stems from the Greek word “easy death,” inferring that unnecessary pain and agony may be eliminated from
Professor Winslow
English 102__127
9 March 2011
Euthanasia Impacts of Law, Religion and Ethics The question of legalizing euthanasia has always been a pertinent one in current society with cancer and morbidity rates consistently rising. What is the most tolerant basis for evaluating the legality of euthanasia? In a positive aspect, it can greatly help avoid a painful or agonizing death, giving the ill patient control over their pending lives and the security of being given a choice. However, many view it as unethical and a form of murder and suicide, doctors being the source of the assisted death. Different forms of euthanasia, such as physician assisted suicide, voluntary active, passive, and non voluntary are major factors in deciding the legality of permitting the procedure, and the various ethical views concerning the sensitive topic between the large spectrum of beliefs on the matter. The court systems have maintained their global stance on the illegality of euthanasia, being largely challenged by its supporters, consisting of various groups, advocating the right to die and the unconstitutionality of being denied that right. In order for one to undergo this process, some factors should be put into perspective, such as the condition and terminability of their illness, the family and patient’s realistic perspective on their current condition and life support, religion, mental health and the large judicial factor which has prohibited euthanasia on a global scale. Physician assisted suicide (primarily active voluntary) should be approached with a more tolerant perspective when looked at from a legal perspective, giving the dying patient more choices in their situation of pending death, such as having the possibility of a painless death through a physician administered lethal drug.
History and Development of Euthanasia Euthanasia stems from the Greek word “easy death,” inferring that unnecessary pain and agony may be eliminated from