Closing words on Euthanasia...!

After analysing various aspects of euthanasia we are now able to conclude this subject in a fair manner. In terms of classification involuntary euthanasia is just wrong as it breaches the basic right of human being which entitles them to exercise their own free choice. Moreover, it also undermines the sanctity of human life which is valued as precious by most of the religions, faiths and value systems. No human being has any right to decide the matters of life of death for another person, no matter how closely the two might be related to each other.

          Voluntary euthanasia on the other hand enables the terminally sick patients to exercise their free will. Any patient who feels the need to put an end to intolerable pain caused by an underlying medical condition is able to choose death with dignity as a direct result of voluntary euthanasia.

          As far as procedural details are concerned both active and passive euthanasia are comparable since both of these methods are equally competent to put an end to human misery, shall it go beyond the extent of human tolerance.

          However, since this is such a sensitive issue, I would like you to weigh in on the go forward and share your take on this. What do you think? Would you like to have this ‘die with dignity’ option available to you or your loved ones? Would you go as far as travelling overseas to avail this opportunity? Do you feel that the societies who are yet to acknowledge this subject head need to get their act together and proclaim a verdict for the benefit of terminally ill member of their society. Please share your valuable insight via comments. I thank you in advance for your time and cooperation J

Euthanasia ruling in Canada...

Canadian high court recently legalized Euthanasia. Canadians believe that although conserving a human life is precious, however, it is more important to protect the free will. The Standard council of Canada being the highest court removed a ban for doctor assisted suicide via unanimous voting. Hence, all mentally competent terminal patients in Canada now qualify for Euthanasia should they choose to exercise their legal right.

          This landmark judgement was inspired by the fate of two British Columbian female patients, namely Kay Carter and Gloria Taylor. Kay was suffering from degenerative spinal cord while Gloria was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. None of these patients survived to see the new Euthanasia ruling. Taylors appeal for right to death was rejected by court in 2012 and she dies soon afterwards. She had to travel to Switzerland to undergo a legal physician assisted suicide. Although none of the above patients were able to avail the benefit of new Canadian law on assisted suicide however, they very clearly influenced the new ruling and acted as catalysts in its formation.

          To conclude the spirit behind this Canadian ruling is summed up by the court in a statement reported in, The Record as 'by leaving people like Ms. Taylor to endure intolerable suffering, it impinges on their security of person.

          I personally agree and stand behind this rationale. I believe that every human being has the basic right to exercise some fundamental rights and right to die lies at the very core of these fundamental freedoms. This becomes even more important especially in today's era of advanced medical care where it is possible to survive some very painful conditions with the aid of medication. This is in stark contrast to medieval times when human beings were not required to endure such harsh and miserable medical conditions. Hence the legal systems all over the world need to acknowledge this evolved scenario and make provisions for it in the legal framework. Canadian can feel proud that they are among the fore runners in this arena and were able to visualize the pain of patients like Ms Taylor and allow for legal provisions which will serve as a sigh of relief for the patients suffering from terminal ailments going forward.

Euthanasi around the world...!

Euthanasia has been legalized in many countries through several years:

Netherlands: Netherlands was the first nation to legalize euthanasia in 2002. The country's laws put certain conditions for being able to practice euthanasia:

• The patient must be suffering from unbearable pain.
• The illness must be incurable.
• The appeal should be made in full consciousness of the patient.

France: euthanasia was considered against the law in France. In 2005, the laws of France introduced the concept of “left to die” under strict conditions. It allowed doctors to stop any treatment which is of no use and works as an artificial life. Also, it allowed doctors to prescribe pain killers to patients which can effect as a side effects to shorten life.

United States: Euthanasia is legal in five US states. Doctors are allowed to prescribe lethal doses of medicine to terminally ill patients. But it has always been controversial in US.

Germany and Switzerland: In both the countries, active assisted suicide is legalized.

• In Germany, euthanasia is legal as long as lethal drug is taken without anybody's help (come-one guiding patient’s hand).
• In Switzerland, law allows assisted suicide as long as there are no “self-seeking motives” involved. The country has tolerated the creation of organization such as Exit, which provides assisted dying services for a fee.

Belgium: This becomes a second nation to pass the laws for legalizing euthanasia in 2002. The law mentioned that doctors can help patients to end their lives when they freely express a wish to die because of the incurable pain and sufferings. Patients can also get euthanasia if they have clearly stated it before going to the state of coma or similar state.

Reference: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/17/euthanasia-assisted-suicide-laws-world

Euthanasia : Pros and Cons ...!

Whenever discussion on any matter arises, there are always some positives and negatives to consider for the matter.

For now, when we talk about assisted suicide, it should be understood that we are talking about a choice made by dying individual who is aware of his decision and its results.

Below is the list of pros associated with euthanasia:

1. Patients’ incurable pain and suffering comes to an end.
2. Patient will die knowingly that it was his/her choice.
3. Patients’ loved ones and medical faculty will get relief by relieving the person of the pain and suffering.
4. Medical costs will be saved because of the prior knowledge that the person is not going to survive.
5. Doctors and nurses can move to another patients who has chances to live rather than spending their time on patients who are terminally ill.
6. Vital organs can be saved and those can be used for other patients who need them.

 

Below is the list of cons associated with assisted suicide:

1. When a physician or doctor is involved in the process. It could violate the Hippocratic Oath of doctor.
2. It also decreases the value of human life.
3. Euthanasia can also be misused. Sometimes a person is not in a state of mind to decide about their life and when someone on his/her behalf takes decisions to end other's life then it is not a fair decision.
4. Many religions criticize suicide as they believe that if someone commits suicide then the person is directly sent to the hell.
5. Doctors and families may opt to give up on recovery too early even if the disease require long treatment to recover.

What is euthanasia?

Euthanasia or assisted suicide is the practice of painless killing someone suffering from an incurable disease. Most of the country's laws doesn't allow such practice in their county and consider it as breach of laws. Some countries have legalized the practice of euthanasia only for those under incurable pain and suffering. Canada has recently allowed doctor assisted suicide in case of incurable pain.

There are two classifications for euthanasia:

1. Voluntary euthanasia: This is a type of euthanasia conducted with consent.
2. Involuntary euthanasia: type of euthanasia conducted without consent.

Euthanasia have always been a matter of controversy. People willing to die with dignity have always fought for their rights. Nurses and doctors assisting suicide were charged with murder before. Pain and suffering have lead people to beg for their death. Even loved ones can’t see the person with suffering in the situation and decide to end other’s life to bestow them peace.

There are two procedural classifications for Euthanasia:

1. Passive euthanasia: When doctors prescribe a heavy dose of any medication which they know once given to the patient will act like a poison. This kind of killing is described as passive euthanasia.
2. Active euthanasia: A lethal substance or forceful actions are used to end someone’s life is described as active euthanasia.

Individuals opting for assisted suicide or euthanasia were criticized by religious, moral ethical and compassionate arguments.

It is the choice of any person to die with dignity. No-one has right to stop someone to end their life when they have no other choice because of physical pain which is impossible to cure.