Introduction

Many have disputed whether euthanasia should be legalised or not. Euthanasia is known as mercy killing. It is the act of killing someone who has a terminal illness and has no hope to recover.

The two sides, for and against euthanasia, will be covered in this blog. Also, New Zealand’s stand about the topic regarding euthanasia will also be covered as well as the Netherlands history of euthanasia will be discussed.

As a final argument points why euthanasia should be legalised shall be presented in this blog and backed up by solid information.

The Positive Aspects of Euthanasia

Sometimes a patient is diagnosed with a terminal illness (no cure). Other times a patient will be ridden or in a state where they can no longer live properly without the aid of various life support machines. When this happens more often than not the patients lose their will to live and seek a pain less, easy and peaceful way out.

Euthanasia is a way of ending a patients suffering in a quick and painless manner. Many believe that prolonging the inevitable and keeping a dying patient alive is cruel and gives a painful and slow death to the patient.

When a patient has reached the point where nothing can be done with their conditions they are kept alive until finally die “naturally”. Patients will most likely be induced in drugged state where hallucinations and long restless night are common. With euthanasia patients can ease off to a dignified and peaceful death.

Lastly euthanasia may only be performed under the consent of the patient and should not be confused with suicide.

The Negative Aspects of Euthanasia

No matter which side of the argument you are coming from, the truth is euthanasia is the killing of a life. Simply put, even if the intent is not the same, euthanasia is still the murder of a human being.

Many would argue that all life should be cherished no matter how big or insignificant they are. With that point being made patients who consider euthanasia are throwing their valuable lives away.

Another problem that arises is when a patient is considered a “vegetable”. How can a patient who can no longer contact the physical world give consent to perform euthanasia on them. There has been various cases (Netherlands) of relatives giving consent to perform euthanasia in order to get to the will that the patient will leave behind.

As a final note, the not everyone is willing to perform euthanasia on a dying patient not even their relatives.

Euthanasia in New Zealand and the Netherlands

In most countries euthanasia is illegal and anybody who performs it can be prosecuted. New Zealand is a country where euthanasia is illegal. Various attempts to make euthanasia legal in New Zealand have been made however they were all dismissed.

In 2003 a bill called the Death with dignity bill was proposed to the parliament, but the parliament voted against it and it was dismissed. Many speculate that the members of the parliament voted based on their conscience and not the peoples. To this day many still debate whether euthanasia should be legalised in New Zealand.

On the other hand Netherlands is one of the only countries wherein euthanasia may be preformed legally. Euthanasia has been practiced in the Netherlands from as early as the 1980’s. On April 2002 it was formally legalised making Netherlands the first country in the world to have legalised euthanasia.

There are strict operating procedures in order to perform euthanasia. Doctors should take care and make sure that there will be no pain felt by the patient during the procedure. Also, euthanasia may only be performed under the consent of the patient and if the patient has a sound mind.

Why Euthanasia Should Be Legalized

A huge majority of the world still abhors euthanasia and is still illegal in most countries. Euthanasia should be legalised because a lot of patients (especially those just waiting to die) will be spared days, even weeks of suffering.

Patients will be given the right to a peaceful death. Doctors have even claimed that the option of willingly dying has given a moral boost to depressed patients. Each individual should be granted complete control of their lives, who are we to deny them of their right to an easy death.

Prolonging the suffering of an individual seems crueller than killing them. The pain-killers that are induced to patients are more often than not are depressants which side effects include hallucinations and sleeplessness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are still heavy discussions revolving around the topic of euthanasia. Both pro and anti-euthanasia have strong points supporting for and against euthanasia. New Zealand and Netherlands are perfect examples for those points, the two countries are exact opposites in their stand regarding euthanasia and both countries have their own reason. As a final note, all countries must consider legalising euthanasia because it can save millions of patients around the globe hours of gruelling pain and suffering instead of dying a peaceful death.

Reference

•      Medicine Net. (1998). Definition of Euthanasia. Retrieved from http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7365
•         New Zealand Parliament. (2003). Voluntary euthanasia and New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/ParlSupport/ResearchPapers/7/2/9/729250622d0244a9b43774f6270ddbcb.htm
•       Ylagan, V. Arguments against euthanasia. Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.helium.com/items/1482099-arguments-against-euthanasia         M, M.  Pros and cons of euthanasia. Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-euthanasia.html
•         Johnson, D. Legalised euthanasia. Retrieved September 30,2010 from http://www.infoplease.com/spot/euthanasia1.html
•         Tonybee, P. (2004). Euthanasia should be legal. Retrieved October 25, 2010 from http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-9-2004-62722.asp
•         BBC News. (2002). Dutch legalise euthanasia .Retrieved from http://newscdn.bbc.net.uk/2/hi/europe/1904789.stm