1. Euthanasia
Yolanda Blake has cancer and was hospitalized after experiencing severe bleeding. Her sister and friend who held power of attorney insisted the hospital give Yolanda a feeding tube and catheter. They refused. A month thereafter a county judge ruled in the hospital's favour that Yolanda should be allowed to die. The very next day Yolanda woke up. When asked if she wanted to live, she responded, "Of course I do!" (Frederica Mathewes-Green 2004) Similar fates exist for all those unable to choose. Currently South Africans cannot choose death. Choice is extremely important. If choices of such magnitude are denied, what other choices will we be denied? Will we be denied some rights, based on moral or religious grounds, as was done in the past? Will we be denied a right because some in society abuse that right? Will we be denied freeing ourselves of wasted years of anguish, unbearable pain and mortifying humiliation as only subjectively experienced? Denying me the right to choose my own death, means I can be denied other fundamental rights in future, and the implications thereof are more threatening than a "good death" could ever be. .
Critics of legalizing euthanasia maintain that allowing one group in society to take the life of someone, even with their consent, would undermine the right to life. The right to life is just as vital as the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes "the right: to make decisions concerning reproduction; to security in and control over their body; and not to be subjected to medical or scientific experiments without their informed consent." (South Africa Bill of Rights) Opponents of euthanasia are concerned that giving the terminally the right to choose death, by legalizing euthanasia, other categories like the poor and minorities, will be victimized. (Schippers 2001) If such care is taken presently in South Africa to prohibit inequality and promote freedom of choice, why should we think it would be different with euthanasia? Still the opponents of euthanasia maintain that if people break a law and such law is consequently legalized, it will lead to the breaking of more morally unjust laws.
With a pro-euthanasian bias in mind, the thesis statement which I should like to put forth, with appropriate argument and evidence, is that euthanasia is a freedom that every person should be granted, and that there exists substantial averment to back up this statement. ... Euthanasia is also supported by many religious groups. ... I want to show that euthanasia is wrong. ... This then would not be considered euthanasia, at least in the active sense, and should ameliorate those concerns which those who oppose euthanasia have, and as well, not do any injustice to those who are pro euthanasi...
They defended and continue to defend their pro-life position by making euthanasia a violation of God's gift of life. ... Both sides, Pro-life and Pro-choice, each have their own arguments, and neither one is obviously right or wrong, both are in a gray area. ... Another argument of some Pro-Lifers is that if euthanasia was legalized, it may damage the social and moral foundation of society. ... Some supporters of Pro-Choice would argue that euthanasia helps to put those suffering people out of the pain they are in. ... Many Pro-Choice supporters base their arguments on legalizing all form...
Merlihan 3 Pro Euthanasia Arguments Euthanasia and PAS is a continuous debate worthy issue in our society and there will never be a consensus amongst the American people. ... To pro- euthanasia advocates, it is all about choice in their eyes. Euthanasia gives people the right to have control over their own bodies (Robinson). ... Pro euthanasia groups say that they are being discriminated upon. ... Merlihan 4 Pioneer of Euthanasia- Jack Kevorkian Jack Kevorkian was the first Doctor to accept and allow euthanasia in his practice and grant people their wish to die. ...
Euthanasia I chose to write my paper on Euthanasia or "Physician assisted suicide." ... In 1937, Nebraska voted down a bill to legalize euthanasia in the U.S. ... One thing is certain, efforts to legalize euthanasia will continue in the U.S. ... In 1979, the Lutheran Church issued a report on Euthanasia, it condemned euthanasia because it involves suicide and murder and is contrary to God's law. ... Pro-choice statements have been made by the United Church of Christ, and the Methodist Church on the West coast. ...
There are two forms, one is Passive Euthanasia and the other is Active Euthanasia. ... Pro Euthanasia people say that euthanasia should be a case of individual liberty. ... Pro Euthanasia people believe that people who are suffering from a illness that makes them unable to communicate, are candidates for euthanasia. ... Pro Euthanasia people say that these such patient's quality of life is so low that they are better off dead and they should be killed. ... Pro Euthanasia people also often say that there should be limits, but as for terminallt ill patients, they should be able t...
Many people do not realize the exact meaning of euthanasia .In fact the true meaning of euthanasia [Hentoff,Keyes. ... As a start pro-euthanasia campaigners argue that voluntary euthanasia is purely a matter of personal freedom. ... Euthanasia and assisted suicide. ... As Martin Luther King once said, "No one is truly free to live until one is free to die" Pro-euthanasia campaigners also believe that most people who are in there old age nowadays become dependant on their families to provide food, shelter and medical care for them [Hentoff,Keyes. ... The first one (believed by pro-euth...
What is euthanasia? ... In order to understand the pro-Euthanasia of such a controversial issue, it is required that one sees the view points, strong beliefs, and the perspective of one who advocates the practice of legalizing Euthanasia. ... As to any controversial topic, there is a con side as well as a pro side. ... Further, suffering is an inevitable part of life; our task is to understand and grow from suffering, not evade it- (Mabie 65) Pro-lifers argue that if there was the legalization of Euthanasia, it would be just like another form of legalizing murder and it would open the door...
Euthanasia Euthanasia is a topic that provokes as much controversy as capital punishment, primarily because it is irreversible. ... Active euthanasia is an intentional act that causes death, while passive euthanasia is an intentional act to avoid prolonging the dying process. ... Passive euthanasia is the with holding or with drawing of life pro-longing technologies. ... He requested euthanasia and received it. ... I do not hold the answers to the difficult questions euthanasia raises, nor am I a pro euthanasia lobbyist, but I believe it is an issue that society needs to confront and addre...
Euthanasia derived from the Greek language which means good death. ... This is a general definition of euthanasia, but euthanasia itself has its own definitions within it. ... Euthanasia is not an easy way out of life. ... This is a big breakthrough for pro-euthanasia activists because it gives people the opportunity to end their pain that is caused by illnesses that they carry in their bodies. Two years after the legalization of assisted suicide in Oregon, euthanasia goes global when the Netherlands legalizes euthanasia. ...