I chose the topic of Euthanasia because it is a topic that is sometimes discussed in my family as I have a very sick family member. As a result, I do not have a clear stance on what I believe to be “right” or “wrong” on deciding to inject this into a person. However, I will try to state the advantages and disadvantages that I see in taking Euthanasia.
Euthanasia is the option of terminating a person’s life so that they are relieved of any suffering they’re enduring. Usually, it’s carried out if a person is terminally ill and the suffering has been prolonged for an extended period of time. Sometimes it is injected by the person’s request and other times the decision is made by a family member. This is where I find a fault in the process. I lean towards the religious view of, who are we to decide whether it is a person’s time to die or not? The bigger part of me believes that the decision should only be made by the person whom is ill. Hopefully, they would include it in their will, but the reality is, do we stop and think that we’ll end up with a grave sickness not allowing us to make the decision for ourselves? As I witness the decline of my godfather it is a constant ethical dilemma that all of my family members struggle with. If the person themselves cannot speak on their own behalf, as a loved one would you be able to continuously subject them to stay suffering in deep pain? Could one let them die in pain when there’s the option of having them pass away without it? Some patients decide to take the injection after the realization and fear of how they are going to worsen, others start feeling like a burden to their families. Euthanasia allows some people to die with dignity and still have the knowledge of who they are. Though there still exists the grand question of whether or not there is a moral difference between letting a person die and killing them. For it can be viewed as murder and illegal in places like the UK. A few people argue that in the future it can be abused and it’s giving too much power to the doctors. Personally, I am still in a sort of in-between on what is “best” in certain circumstances. But it is difficult and saddening to have a loved one be in deep pain when there could be another option.
Interesting topic. I think that the practice of "death with dignity"-i.e, a person with terminal illness can choose to medically end their life- should be a human right. If someone is suffering, and would rather not extend that suffering, they have the right to that. You are right though, in that it is tricky when it is family members deciding what to do with a relative's life- to take away life is never another's choice.
ReplyDeleteI like how you take into consideration the struggling on whether it is right to terminate one's life even if it is carried out to end the suffering. I also agree that it depends on the person's own will to decide on using Euthanaisa. To die with dignity and consciousness is crucial as a human, as laying in bed and being paraylezed by pain cannot truly be described as living. It's important to free the body when the mind has already gone. On the other hand, Euthanasia is commonly used for pets. I think that is also an interesting topic to explore.
ReplyDeleteI really like that you are choosing to focus on the topic of euthanasia. It has also come up in my family when looking back on previous family deaths. I believe it's every person's choice but I can easily understand how hard it is for their family to get on board. My mom has said she would be interested in it, but I am on the other side of the situation where I see my family member and don't want them to leave until absolutely necessary. Thanks for bringing this up, because it will definitely become more pertinent as it becomes more normal in California and more people have the option.
ReplyDeleteDina, your post really illustrates the moral divide that emerges when life and death hangs in the balance. Do you think that if pain and suffering reached a point of no return for someone that it would be appropriate to end someones life, i.e. that their quality of life had deteriorated to such a degree that the decision to end their life might be seen as a act of compassion?
ReplyDeleteI really like the topic that you chose. My favorite part of your post is when you said that euthanasia may allow a patient to die with dignity and knowledge. While I agree with that point, I could also see people looking at euthanasia as dying without dignity. Suffering through pain naturally is to some people one of the most dignified things one can do, so I could see how both sides are relevant.
ReplyDeleteI really like the topic that you chose. My favorite part of your post is when you said that euthanasia may allow a patient to die with dignity and knowledge. While I agree with that point, I could also see people looking at euthanasia as dying without dignity. Suffering through pain naturally is to some people one of the most dignified things one can do, so I could see how both sides are relevant.
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ReplyDeleteI really agree with your opinion about who are we to decide whether it is a person's time to die or not. To me this is a really sensative topic to talk about because of the huge decision that people have to make. This is also really hard to decide because of the dilemma that people have to face and think about. Whether let the patient free from pain or keep suffering from their pain? Like Cheryl said, euthanasia is widely use for animal. They are just like us. Another interesting topic to think about.
ReplyDeleteWe chose the same topic. :) I just realized that. I really like this topics because it shows a dilemma in human dignity. I cannot believe how heavy the burden would be when a person decides to let the one he or she loves die in Euthanasia. The only thing I think we can do is to find a balance between live and death. Why is it meaningful to be alive? And why is it worthy to be dead? Why do we need to suffer from pain?
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