Reaction Paper #10
TZ 11:00 A.M.
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering. It is a deliberate act intended to cause the death of a patient, at that patient's request, for what he or she sees as being in his or her best interest. Because a request for euthanasia is necessarily at the request of a patient, a request for euthanasia is a right that all individuals should enjoy. In Australia, as in many other parts of the world, such issues are hotly debated. Regrettably, many people suffer as a result of government policies that are driven primarily, unfortunately, by religious ideology. Euthanasia can fall into several categories. Voluntary Euthanasia is carried out with the permission of the person whose life is taken. Involuntary euthanasia is carried out without permission, such as in the case of a criminal execution. The moral and social questions surrounding these practices are the most active fields of research in Bioethics today. There is a lot of controversy surrounding the issue of euthanasia and whether or not it should be legal. From a legal standpoint, the Encyclopedia of American Law categorizes mercy killing as a class of criminal homicide. Judicially, not all homicide is illegal. Killing is seen as excusable when used as a criminal punishment, but inexcusable when carried out for any other reason. In most nations, euthanasia is considered criminal homicide. In my opinion, euthanasia is understandable even though it’s tragic. If someone who are extremely ill and want to give up on living and also if he had made up their mind, who has the right to say, “You can’t do that”? People have the right to choose what is best for them. If It were me I would like to be allowed to die with dignity and at time and place of my choosing with my family (if they wished) to be present.
Reference:
http://www.debate.org/euthanasia/