Euthanasia Essay
25 February 2013
Terminally Ill Patients want an Easier Way Out “Somebody has to do something for humanity” (Williams White 1). Euthanasia, or in other words assisted suicide, is the act of helping someone end their life when they have a terminal disease/illness. There are only three states in the United States and only seven countries around the world that recognize the law that supports assisted suicide. If this practice is performed, then it is looked at and treated as a crime against the doctor who helped, when really it is not. Euthanasia should be legalized everywhere. From the legalization, to the doctors who perform the task, and the circumstances, assisted suicide helps suffering people. Legalizing assisted suicide would mean an easier passing for those who have a terminal disease. If euthanasia was allowed everywhere, then more suffering, ill patients could make the choice they want. The law has been recognized in Switzerland since 1942 and only 5% of all deaths in the country are by assisted suicide. By not legalizing euthanasia then “against those weak objections stands the huge benefit of allowing people in great suffering to get help in putting an end to the pain and misery when they are not strong enough, or do not have the resources, to do so themselves” (Economist 1). If governments would pass a law allowing the right of euthanasia, then more terminally ill patients would have the chance to pass peacefully. As there are only seven countries and very few states that allow assisted suicide, it should start being allowed everywhere. There are not many places that have a euthanasia law in effect, but more places should because if more states passed those laws, then others will follow in their footsteps and pass laws. Oregon, Washington, and Montana are the only states that have laws that legalize physician assisted suicide. It is a step in the right direction that “assisted suicide is already permitted in seven countries and states and is now
Terminally Ill Patients want an Easier Way Out “Somebody has to do something for humanity” (Williams White 1). Euthanasia, or in other words assisted suicide, is the act of helping someone end their life when they have a terminal disease/illness. There are only three states in the United States and only seven countries around the world that recognize the law that supports assisted suicide. If this practice is performed, then it is looked at and treated as a crime against the doctor who helped, when really it is not. Euthanasia should be legalized everywhere. From the legalization, to the doctors who perform the task, and the circumstances, assisted suicide helps suffering people. Legalizing assisted suicide would mean an easier passing for those who have a terminal disease. If euthanasia was allowed everywhere, then more suffering, ill patients could make the choice they want. The law has been recognized in Switzerland since 1942 and only 5% of all deaths in the country are by assisted suicide. By not legalizing euthanasia then “against those weak objections stands the huge benefit of allowing people in great suffering to get help in putting an end to the pain and misery when they are not strong enough, or do not have the resources, to do so themselves” (Economist 1). If governments would pass a law allowing the right of euthanasia, then more terminally ill patients would have the chance to pass peacefully. As there are only seven countries and very few states that allow assisted suicide, it should start being allowed everywhere. There are not many places that have a euthanasia law in effect, but more places should because if more states passed those laws, then others will follow in their footsteps and pass laws. Oregon, Washington, and Montana are the only states that have laws that legalize physician assisted suicide. It is a step in the right direction that “assisted suicide is already permitted in seven countries and states and is now