Euthanasia (#7 of 40)
The Last Right: A Human Right to Die with Dignity and Autonomy
by John Jolissaint
We often hear that pain is temporary, that time heals all wounds, that things will get better eventually. But what if they don’t? What if the pain is chronic, the wounds are deep, the things are broken beyond repair? What if we have to live with the pain, not just for a while, but for the rest of our lives? Is that a fate worse than death, or is there a way to find meaning and purpose in our suffering?
Imagine that you are diagnosed with a terminal illness that causes you unbearable pain and suffering, and that there is no cure or treatment that can improve your condition or prolong your life.
For many people who are in this situation, the answer is clear: they would want to end their lives peacefully and comfortably, on their own terms and timing, with the help of a doctor who respects their wishes and values. They would want to exercise their human right to die with dignity and autonomy.
Euthanasia, also known as assisted dying or mercy killing, is the practice of intentionally ending a person's life to relieve their suffering and pain, with their consent and request. Euthanasia is not a new or radical concept.
Throughout history, many cultures and religions have accepted and practiced euthanasia as a way of honoring and respecting the individual's freedom and dignity.
In modern times, many countries and regions have legalized and regulated euthanasia, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Spain, and some states in the US. These places have shown that euthanasia can be performed safely and ethically, without compromising the rights and interests of the patients, doctors, families, and society
When I began researching Euthanasia, I thought it would be a slippery slope that could lead to involuntary and non- consensual killing of vulnerable people. I was concerned that Euthanasia could be abused or misused for selfish or malicious purposes, such as saving money or eliminating unwanted people.
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One thing that I have learned during this life: Americans do not like to be burdened.
burdened by costs
burdened by resources
burdened by minor traffic
...how quickly we cross certain unforgivable lines when inconvenienced by family. A second thing I have learned: We will use Jesus to justify anything.
---Another concern I had was that people could be pressured or coerced by their families, doctors, or society to choose euthanasia, even if they do not want to. I think we can all agree that America is a weird place. Have you heard of Munchausen by Proxy?
According to euthanasia opponent Ezekiel Emanuel, proponents of euthanasia have presented four main arguments:
that people have a right to self-determination, and thus should be allowed to choose their own fate
that assisting a subject to die might be a better choice than requiring that they continue to suffer
that permitting euthanasia will not necessarily lead to unacceptable consequences
that legalizing euthanasia will not undermine health care or the role of physicians
These arguments are supported by various facts and evidence. For example:
A 2016 review found euthanasia accounts for 0.3 to 4.6 percent of deaths in jurisdictions where they are legal. More than 70 percent of those deaths were related to cancer.
A 2005 study by the New England Journal of Medicine found that only 0.4% of euthanasia cases occurred without an explicit request by the patient.
A 2013 survey found that 64% of Americans believe that a doctor should be allowed to end the life of a patient who has a painful and terminal disease if that patient wishes to die.
However, not everyone agrees with these arguments. Some people oppose euthanasia for various reasons, such as:
Euthanasia weakens society’s respect for the sanctity of life. Voluntary euthanasia is the start of a slippery slope that leads to involuntary euthanasia and the killing of people who are thought to be undesirable in society.
Euthanasia violates the Hippocratic oath and the medical profession. Doctors have a duty to heal and care for their patients, not to harm or kill them.
Euthanasia undermines the trust and relationship between patients and doctors. It also damages the integrity and reputation of the health care system.
Euthanasia places pressure on vulnerable people such as elderly, disabled, sick or mentally ill, to end their lives out of fear of being a burden upon relatives or caregivers.
Euthanasia denies the possibility of recovery and improvement of the patients' condition. It also prevents them from experiencing meaningful moments or opportunities that could enrich their lives or benefit others.
Euthanasia goes against the natural law and the divine command. Life is a gift from God and only God can take it away.
These objections may seem valid at first glance, but they can be challenged by logic and reason. For instance:
Euthanasia does not weaken society’s respect for life, but rather enhances it by recognizing the value and dignity of each individual’s choice.
There is no evidence that legalizing euthanasia leads to a slippery slope or abuse of power.
On the contrary, there are strict safeguards and regulations in place to prevent such scenarios.
Euthanasia does not violate the Hippocratic oath or the medical profession, but rather fulfills it by relieving
suffering and pain.
The oath itself is not absolute or binding, but rather an expression of ideals that can change over time
and context.
Many doctors support euthanasia as a compassionate and ethical option for their patients.
Euthanasia does not undermine the trust and relationship between patients and doctors, but rather strengthens it by respecting and honoring the patients' wishes and values.
a. It also improves the quality and efficiency of the health care system by reducing unnecessary and futile treatments.
4. Euthanasia does not place pressure on vulnerable people, but rather empowers them by giving them a choice and a voice.
a. It also protects them from coercion or manipulation by requiring their consent and request. It also relieves them from the guilt and burden of imposing on their relatives or caregivers.
5. Euthanasia does not deny the possibility of recovery and improvement, but rather acknowledges the reality and certainty of death also allows them to experience meaningful moments or opportunities that they choose, not that are imposed on them.
It also benefits others by donating their organs or resources to those in need.
6. Euthanasia does not go against the natural law or the divine command, but rather follows it by using reason and free will.
Life is a gift from God, but so is death.
God gives us the ability and responsibility to make decisions about our own lives, including the time and manner of our death.
As you can see, euthanasia is a complex and controversial issue that requires careful consideration and dialogue. However, I believe that the arguments in favor of euthanasia outweigh the arguments against it. I believe that euthanasia is a human right that allows people to die with dignity and autonomy.
I urge you to think about this issue from the perspective of someone who is suffering from a terminal illness or a severe disability. How would you feel? What would you do? What would you want?
Would you want to have a choice? Would you want to have a say? Would you want to have a right?
If your answer is yes, then you should support euthanasia as a human right that allows people to die with dignity and autonomy.
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To illustrate my point, let me share with you some personal stories of people who have chosen euthanasia or assisted suicide.
One of them is Michael Irwin, a former doctor and euthanasia activist from the UK. He helped his friend Raymond Cutkelvin end his life in Switzerland in 2007, after Raymond was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Michael said: "I was particularly angry at Mark [his brother]. At first we did what most people do; help. My parents especially have done everything humanly possible to save Mark.”
Another one is Mark Langedijk, a Dutch man who suffered from alcoholism for years. He chose euthanasia in 2016, after 21 attempts at rehab failed. His brother Marcel said: "We cried, told each other that we loved each other, that it would be all right, that we would care for each other, that we would see each other again, we held each other... If it was not so terrible, it would have been nice.”
These stories show us the courage and compassion of these people who decided to end their lives in a dignified and peaceful way, with the help of their loved ones and doctors. They also show us the pain and suffering that they endured before making this decision, and the respect and support that they received from their families and society.
Euthanasia is not only a matter of life and death, but also a matter of justice and human rights. As Albert Camus, the French philosopher and Nobel laureate, once said: "There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide.”
Euthanasia is not a problem to be solved, but a choice to be respected.
As Mother Teresa, the Catholic nun and Nobel laureate, once said: "The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion because if a mother can kill her own child, what is left for me to kill you and you to kill me? There is nothing between.”
Euthanasia is not a destroyer of peace, but a creator of peace. It allows people to die with dignity and autonomy, without harming or killing anyone else.
I hope that this opinion piece has given you some food for thought on this important issue. I hope that you will join me in advocating for euthanasia as a human right that allows people to die with dignity and autonomy.
Thank you for your attention.
Sources
● Chambered, K., Vander Stichele, R., Mortier, F., Cohen, J., & Deliens, L. (2015). Recent trends in euthanasia and other end-of-life practices in Belgium. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(12), 1179-1181.
● Emanuel, E. J. (1999). What is the great benefit of legalizing euthanasia or physican‐assisted suicide?. Ethics, 109(3), 629-642.
● Gallup. (2013). U.S. Views on Morality of Doctor-Assisted Suicide. Retrieved from https://news.gallup.com/poll/162815/views-morality- doctor-assisted-suicide.aspx
● Langedijk, M. (2016). The day my brother chose euthanasia. Linda Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.lindanieuws.nl/nieuws/interview/marcel-over-zijn-broer-die-euthanasie-pleegde/
● Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D., Brinkman-Stoppelenburg, A., Penning, C., de Jong-Krul, G. J., van Delden, J. J., & van der Heide, A. (2012). Trends in end-of-life practices before and after the enactment of the euthanasia law in the Netherlands from 1990 to 2010: a repeated cross-sectional survey. The Lancet, 380(9845), 908-915.
