"Mercy killing" is “the act of putting a person or animal to death painlessly or allowing them to die by withholding medical services, usually because of a painful and incurable disease.” Mercy killing is also referred to as "euthanasia."
The Greek word euthanasia translates to “good death,” making it and mercy killing terms that can be comforting in the face of difficult medical situations. When any person, especially a family member or close friend, is experiencing pain, mental degeneration, or other adverse condition, our instinct is to relieve the person in any way possible. Sometimes, this desire to alleviate pain can become so strong in the caregiver or patient that it overrides our deeper impulse to preserve life and survive.
The Greek word euthanasia translates to “good death,” making it and mercy killing terms that can be comforting in the face of difficult medical situations. When any person, especially a family member or close friend, is experiencing pain, mental degeneration, or other adverse condition, our instinct is to relieve the person in any way possible. Sometimes, this desire to alleviate pain can become so strong in the caregiver or patient that it overrides our deeper impulse to preserve life and survive.
Euthanasia is categorized in different ways, which include voluntary, non-voluntary, active, passive, assisted and indirect.
Voluntary euthanasia - It is committed with the willing or autonomous cooperation of the subject. This means that the subject is free from direct or indirect pressure from others.
Non-voluntary euthanasia- It occurs when the patient is unconscious or unable to make a meaningful choice between living and dying and an appropriate person takes that decision for him/her.
This is usually called murder, but it is possible to imagine cases where the killing would count as a favor for the patient.
Indirect euthanasia - This means providing treatments-mainly to reduce the pain,that as a side effect of shortening the patients life. Since the primary intent wasn't to kill, it is morally accepted by some people.
Assisted suicide- This usually refers to cases where the persons who are going to die need help to kill themselves and ask for it. It may be something as simple as getting drugs for the person, and putting those drugs within their reach.
Active euthanasia - It is when death is brought by an act for example taking a high dose of drugs. It is to end a persons life by the use of drugs, either by oneself or by the aid of a physician.
Passive euthanasia- When death is brought by an omission eg: when someone lets the person die, this can be done by withdrawing or withholding treatment.
Withdrawal treatment :For eg switching off a machine that keeps the person alive.
Withholding treatment :For eg not carrying out a surgery that will extend the life of the patient for a short time.
Voluntary euthanasia - It is committed with the willing or autonomous cooperation of the subject. This means that the subject is free from direct or indirect pressure from others.
Non-voluntary euthanasia- It occurs when the patient is unconscious or unable to make a meaningful choice between living and dying and an appropriate person takes that decision for him/her.
This is usually called murder, but it is possible to imagine cases where the killing would count as a favor for the patient.
Indirect euthanasia - This means providing treatments-mainly to reduce the pain,that as a side effect of shortening the patients life. Since the primary intent wasn't to kill, it is morally accepted by some people.
Assisted suicide- This usually refers to cases where the persons who are going to die need help to kill themselves and ask for it. It may be something as simple as getting drugs for the person, and putting those drugs within their reach.
Active euthanasia - It is when death is brought by an act for example taking a high dose of drugs. It is to end a persons life by the use of drugs, either by oneself or by the aid of a physician.
Passive euthanasia- When death is brought by an omission eg: when someone lets the person die, this can be done by withdrawing or withholding treatment.
Withdrawal treatment :For eg switching off a machine that keeps the person alive.
Withholding treatment :For eg not carrying out a surgery that will extend the life of the patient for a short time.
Arguments for euthanasia
1. Euthanasia provides a way to relieve extreme pain.
2. Euthanasia provides a way to relief when a person's quality is low.
3. Euthanasia frees up medical funds to help other people.
4. It is another case of freedom of choice - the right to commit suicide.
5. People should not be forced to stay alive.
1. Euthanasia provides a way to relieve extreme pain.
2. Euthanasia provides a way to relief when a person's quality is low.
3. Euthanasia frees up medical funds to help other people.
4. It is another case of freedom of choice - the right to commit suicide.
5. People should not be forced to stay alive.
Arguments against euthanasia
1. Euthanasia is a rejection of the importance and value of human life.
2. Legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide leads to suicide contagion.
3. Euthanasia can become a mean of health care cost containment.
4. Euthanasia will become non-voluntary.
5. Euthanasia would not only be for people who are terminally ill.
1. Euthanasia is a rejection of the importance and value of human life.
2. Legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide leads to suicide contagion.
3. Euthanasia can become a mean of health care cost containment.
4. Euthanasia will become non-voluntary.
5. Euthanasia would not only be for people who are terminally ill.
Euthanasia in today's world
Countries which legalized euthanasia:
-The Netherlands
-Belgium
-Colombia
-Luxembourg
-Germany
-Japan
-Canada & other US states
-Switzerland (only assisted suicide)
Countries which legalized euthanasia:
-The Netherlands
-Belgium
-Colombia
-Luxembourg
-Germany
-Japan
-Canada & other US states
-Switzerland (only assisted suicide)
Euthanasia is the deliberate advancement of a person's death for the benefit of that person. In most cases euthanasia is carried out because the person asks to die, but there are cases where a person can't make such a request. It can also become non-voluntary as it denies individuals the rights to their own lives. But in real life there would be millions of situations each year where cases would not fall clearly into either category. It all depends on the situation.
By,
Jubeetta Johnson
1 BA English
213
Jubeetta Johnson
1 BA English
213
No comments:
Post a Comment