The atmosphere in the hospital room is very heavy and solemn. Lying on the bed is Kenny Yeo, plagued with a terminal disease. Mrs Yeo sits quietly next to the bed and weeps sorrowfully. The children are sprawled over the sofa, fast asleep due to fatigue. They have been crying for the past one week. Mr Yeo’s last words to his wife were, “please get the doctors to let me go. Take care of the children and yourself. Remember that I love you and will always be with you.” With that he went into a coma.
Euthanasia should be made legal.
Firstly, everyone has the right to choose how they want to live and die. Their decisions lie with them and people hold their own key to life. No one else can decide for you how you live, therefore choices are also made by one, and hence, if one wants to go for euthanasia, it should be granted. He definitely has reasons why he wants to leave the world.
Secondly, for those who are terminally ill, they do not want to be an emotional and financial burden to their relatives, therefore without their existence, they would be lightening their family’s burdens. Initially it may be unfair to their families but in the long run, their decision to give up on life would help their families greatly. Their families would then not be burdened by the hefty medical bills and the emotional strain of care giving.
Thirdly, at least five percent of terminal pain cannot be controlled by drugs or other means. People under this category would have to go through tremendous pain and hardship. They would have to live each waking moment in pain and agony. They would have to suffer all the way to their very last breath and that is a very painful experience to go through.
It has been said that “miracles do happen”. Some people do recover from their illnesses. The cosmologist Stephen hawking is an example of someone who has overcome tremendous disabilities (Motor Neurone Disease).
Yes, it is true that miracles do happen, but how often do such miracles occur? The answer is probably one in a million. Miracles do not happen frequently; therefore the chances of everyone with terminal disease recovering and being well again are very slim, almost zero. Hopes should therefore never be pinned too high. So why should someone go through all the suffering wishing for a miracle to happen, only to be disappointed in the end? Their suffering should be ended as soon as possible.
In conclusion I feel strongly that people have the right to choose their own fate and those who make a decision to end their lives should be allowed to do so and their wishes respected. Why must anyone be forced to live when their quality of life is zero? Isn’t this synonymous to being dead? Euthanasia is mercy killing - it helps people and lifts their burdens. Therefore it should be made legal.
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