We Shouldn't Legalising Euthanasia

Euthanasia is another term for mercy killing or assisted suicide. Performing it is taking the life of a hopelessly ill or injured individual in order to end his or her suffering. It is a very controversial topic, many argue that euthanasia releases the suffering. What would you do if your loved one requested euthanasia? Would you let him/her continue to suffer or grant his/her wish? I believe that euthanasia should not be legalized because it may result in abuses of euthanasia, put pressure on the patients and life is too sacred. I believe a doctor’s role is to save lives, not to end them and they should not be allowed to ‘play’ God. Giving doctors the ‘right to kill’ may lead to abuses of euthanasia. They might start killing patients without asking for their permission. For instance, if the doctor held a grudge against the patient or felt resources were being wasted on a dying patient. Also, euthanasia may place a burden on the doctor to assist suicide and performing it may trouble him/her afterwards. It could also cause problems with the patient’s family in the future. As a christian, I believe that no one has the right to end their life. Life is a gift from God and it is up to him to decide when our life ends. It says in Genesis 2:7 "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." This bible verse says that God has created us and gave us life and in Exodus 20:13 God says that any form of murder (from abortion to euthanasia) is forbidden “thou shalt not kill.” Legalizing euthanasia would also pressure the ill to request for assisted suicide reluctantly. Not choosing euthanasia may be perceived as being unreasonable, selfish or cowardly. The ill person may suffer under this subtle but significant pressure and feel like that they are a burden to the family. Legalizing euthanasia therefore will deny patients the possibility of staying alive by default and will