My Opinion of Euthanasia

My Opinion of Euthanasia

There is no easy way to speak about Euthanasia, a topic that is so grave and somber, and has created a great deal of controversy. Euthanasia is categorized in different classes such as voluntary euthanasia, non-voluntary euthanasia, passive euthanasia, and active euthanasia. There are many complexities with all forms of assisted suicides, where there are different reasons why one would want to be assisted in his or her own death, however, I do believe that to a degree euthanasia is a sound practice and should be made available to those who seek this solution.

There are various reasons why one would want to die in the form of euthanasia, in which I would support the practice. For example, in the case of a near fatal accident, where a person's lifestyle would be permanently changed, with no potential of improvement, I would support that person wanting not to live. In this case, the person should have said that he/she would not want to live in this sort of fashion. In my opinion, it should be up to the person in the situation, and no one else, to determine whether or not he/she would live. One should create a living will or confide in someone about what he/she would want to happen in the case of a life altering accident/disease. It is his/her life, and with no possible cures, ending his/her life in a peaceful way may just be the solution to end the pain. In these situations, doctors should then take many precautions and evaluate a person's situation in order to determine that there would be no cure to one's condition. Through many studies of this person's state it should be deemed incurable, and assisted suicide should be allowed to take place.

There are instances, however, where I do not believe euthanasia should be available to someone. For example, if someone was ill with a disease/or situation where a cure/medicine was readily available, I believe one should seek the treatment and continue to live. The process may be hard and daunting, but that person should not give up on his/her life. One who is depressed may not find the purpose to continue to live, but with medicines and therapy available, living should be a feasable option. My uncle who is clinically depressed has had times where he has not wanted to live, and has attempted to harm himself. With therapy sessions and various medicines, however, he realizes that he can help himself and can continue to be a loving husband, father, brother, son, and uncle. There may be days where he does not feel the best, and he feels that his life is not worth living, but by getting help there are fewer days where that occurs.

There would be various instructions I would leave my loved-ones for a "Living Will". Thinking about it now seems a little weird, but heavens forbid such a tragedy would occur I would want my family to know what to do. For one, I would want to withdraw life-sustaining medical