Euthanasia Should Be Allowed

張貼日期：Jun 25, 2010 1:17:19 PM

Eva Lai

Euthanasia has been a controversial issue. The word “euthanasia” is derived from a Greek word meaning “good death.” It refers to practice death painlessly in order to relieve suffering. I think euthanasia should be legalized because it relieves pain not only for the patients but also for the family and relatives of the patients.

Patients who are in a coma caused by brain damage or living with a respirator do not have a chance to recover. They may not wish to be kept alive on machines. They may ask for practicing euthanasia because the process of therapy is hard to bear. But their family don’t want their loved one to die, so they ask the doctor to do everything possible to keep their patients alive. However, if the patients have no chance to recover and they agree to practice euthanasia when they have consciousness, why can his or her wish not be granted?

The family and relatives need to take turns taking care of their patients no matter how busy they are. They may get sick and suffer from emotional stress for looking after their patients for a long time. They also need to spend a lot of money for medical treatment. It may cause financial problem. They suffer from both physical and mental pain. If they know that their loved ones do not have a chance to recover and the patients also give their consent, the family should be allowed to fulfill their wishes.

The opponents are against euthanasia because no one has the right to decide others’ life. But according to our law, every person has human rights, such as subsistence, freedom. And we have the right to decide whether we want to give up our life or not. If the patients are terminally ill and they agree to practice euthanasia, we should do what they ask.

Nowadays euthanasia is legalized in the Netherlands, Belgium and the U.S. state of Oregon. Euthanasia should be allowed when the patients give their consent. It relieves the suffering of both the patients and their family.