To Die Or Not To Die
Recently I read an article in the newspaper about an elderly American woman dying of inoperable cancer who asked doctors to terminate her life which was full of unbearable pain and misery. Of course, she was denied this request. Why? In the United States, it is illegal to use chemicals to “kill” someone. This case brought my memories back when my cousin was dying of cancer. She was always a strong woman until this unexpected disease came into her body and destroyed her mental and physical health. After the long three years and the third surgery, she knew there was no help for her. She wanted to die so that she would end her pain. She wanted to die with dignity. It was a horrifying experience not only for her, but for the whole family. So I came up with a question: Should a person in such circumstances have the right to die with the help of others? Isn’t the role of medicine to relieve a suffering?
Americans always talk about their rights. It is their strongest political instinct. That is why America is so different from other countries. They have the right to freedom, privacy, or speech, which is covered by the Civil Rights Act. Then why is it that the “right-to-die” or “aid-in-dying” is denied to them? Well, maybe this is the point where the role of ethics should be taken into consideration very seriously.
If euthanasia or a “good death” is legalized in the United States, one may ask, “What kind of society would it create?” Many times people in the United States might decide for euthanasia because of financial problems. Although America is such a rich country, many people still do not have insurance policies. The necessary treatment might cost the family the whole fortune. People who are sick and see that there is no help for them do not want to be such a burden on their family. But what about those elderly people in relatively good health who go to nursing homes and see high bills coming? Are we going to have series of massive suicides because they do not want to be a burden? Religious Americans might believe that the society gets rid of the old and handicapped. How would a sick person feel or react if the doctor suggested euthanasia? Would that person not choose euthanasia because of the pressure?
Of course, legalized euthanasia can bring some abuses. People make mistakes. However, is it not true that the main utilitarian notion is “the greatest good for the greatest number?” Also, isn’t capital punishment some sort of involuntary euthanasia? How can somebody favor capital punishment and at the same time deny the right to die? Should the government have the right to say how much you have to suffer before you die?
The reason why people decide for euthanasia is mostly because they are scared of pain and are afraid of losing their dignity. An education plays a very important role in deciding for euthanasia. I think that doctors should pay more attention to educating their patients along with their families. Many times people do not have knowledge about other alternatives. If they get the right counseling, they may not decide for euthanasia. I think that euthanasia should be legalized. If a patient and his or her family have an option, it is always easier. If somebody wants to die, he or she will do it some other way anyway. One can use pills, hang himself or herself, or jump from a bridge. Even though today’s technology is relatively on a high level, but it cannot always save one’s life. What is better – death or life of suffering, pain, and despair? There is a difference between killing or murdering someone and letting somebody die. I believe that everybody should have the right to determine one’s life and to die with a dignity. Whose death is it anyway?
7:51:52 PM 
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