Euthanasia also known referred to as compassionate killing
Euthanasia, also known referred to as compassionate killing, is an issue that has generated plenty of debate in both medical and academic circles. Everyone seems to have an opinion on the matter, even when none of those taking part in the argument have experienced the euthanasia. While some believe that the euthanasia is a good medical practice, others hold the notion that it is not justifiable and should, therefore, be done away with (Barbra 73). In my perception, euthanasia is not justifiable, and for that reason is a problem to society. Not only is it wrong to kill a human being, taking the life of a helpless human being is an act that is beyond the definition of murder. To get more insight on the issue, I conducted two interviews, one with a doctor and the other with a philosophy professor to obtain clarification on the matter.
Accordingly, this paper presents two dialogues illustrating my complaint, which is the practice of euthanasia, its background, and the reason for this complaint. The dialogue also touches on some of the counter arguments for my complaint, as well as, the solution for the problem of euthanasia.
Dialogue with Doctor
Interviewer: In your definition of the act, What is euthanasia?
Doctor: Euthanasia is the process of inflicting death for mercy purposes (Barbra 74)
Interviewer: Please expound on that
Doctor: It is whereby medical practitioners, as well as, other qualified professionals inflict
death as a solution for patients who are suffering from terminal illnesses
Interviewer: For how long has euthanasia been practiced in the field?
Doctor: Theoretically, euthanasia has been conducted for many years dating back to the 16th century. However, practically, euthanasia was first practiced legally in early 18th century to date
Interviewer: Are you aware of the controversy surrounding the subject of euthanasia? Or rather are you aware of the problem of euthanasia?
Doctor: Yes I am. Euthanasia is a problem because it is believed to be wrongful killing of human life. Most people believe that it is equitable to murder and is not justifiable
Interviewer: I believe so too. I believe that euthanasia is murder and it should not be practiced at all costs. In fact, it should be made illegal
Doctor: I disagree with you on that. making it illegal would mean watching patients suffer to their last breadth. Euthanasia is painless and it relieves pain that would otherwise not be manageable
Interviewer: How is euthanasia conducted? And is there a special technique that has been
accepted by all medical practitioners for conducting euthanasia?
Doctor : As a matter of fact, yes there is. The only technique of euthanasia that has been
accepted for practice is the injection of an overdose of painkillers to patients (Brassington 415). However, other medical practitioners would prefer lethal injection
Interviewer: What is the difference between lethal injection and an overdose injection
Doctor: Lethal injections involve the use of lethal substances such as poison, whereas an
overdose injection is solely dependent on the use of prescription drugs
Interviewer: In your own personal opinion, do you think that the practice of euthanasia is
justified?
Doctor: Yes I do
Interviewer: Why so?
Doctor: Because of the nature of the practice and the need for it
Interviewer: Explain please
Doctor: Well, Euthanasia is only performed on patients who have been diagnosed with
terminal diseases (Parker 30). These are diseases that do not have a cure, meaning that the end result for the patient is death
Interviewer: Meaning that it is justifiable because the patient will die in the end?
Doctor: No. Meaning that it reduces the pain experienced from an incurable disease. It is a
painless procedure, whose main aim is to reduce pain and suffering for the patient
Interviewer: Who decides whether the patient should be subjected to Euthanasia?
Doctor: The patient, his family, as well as, the patients doctor. All three people play a role
in deciding this
Interviewer: Would a doctor carry out euthanasia without the consent of the patient?
Doctor: No. conducting euthanasia without the patients consent is a criminal activity that
is surmountable to murder (Lillehammer 550)
Interviewer: So in your own point of view euthanasia is legal and should be an accepted
practice in the medical field
Doctor: Yes it should, as it helps reduce suffering for terminally ill patients. Illegalizing
euthanasia will not only be unjustified, it will also be unfair for these patients.
Interviewer: Thank you Doctor for your assistance
Doctor: You are welcome
Dialogue with University Philosophy Professor
Student: I think euthanasia is immoral and should not be an accepted practice. Do you
agree with me?
Professor: No. Euthanasia is both legally and ethically justified meaning that it is a moral act
Student: What is your understanding of moral actions? Because in my perception anything
that takes away human life, is immoral. We all desire to live, and live long for that matter, so taking another human being’s life is immoral (Barbra 76)
Professor: In my opinion, moral actions are actions that bring the most pleasure to
individuals and if the infliction of death will bring pleasure to terminally ill patients, then euthanasia should be a legalized medical practice
Student: I do agree with your ideologies concerning moral actions, but I do not agree that
the infliction of death is the most acceptable course of action for these patients. Human rights demands that each individual have the right to life, and taking away this life goes against these rights
Professor: Human rights also supports reducing suffering of any kind for human beings. As a
matter of fact, human rights is all about condensing and abolishing human suffering. Euthanasia provides this solution
Student: The ethical values associated with euthanasia make this issue problematic and
immoral. Consider the case where there is a misdiagnosis, or maybe there is a chance of survival (Parker 29). Who are we to decide whether or not an individual will live or die
Professor: We shall all die eventually, death is inevitable. Furthermore, Euthanasia cannot be
conducted without the consent of the patient or his family. Therefore, the choice is the patient’s. he chooses whether to live or die. He has a right over his own life. And to deny him this right goes against the demands of human rights
Student: When deciding whether to undergo euthanasia, patient’s are physically and
emotionally unstable and the decisions made at this time may be irrational and based on the need to reduce the pain experienced. Allowing euthanasia to be practiced in our hospitals will only lead to a state known as the “Slippery Slope” where doctors will take advantage of its legalization, and decide to play God (Lillehammer 547). There is a possibility that medical practitioners will also choose to be indolent in their duties and responsibilities and instead of treating these patients, they will opt to perform euthanasia.
Professor: I agree with that and believe that euthanasia should be conducted in a cautious
manner and should be carried out after a severe scrutiny of the patients situation. This is the only way that euthanasia can be effectively and efficiently carried out, without going against its moral demands.
Student: The only viable solution to this problem is illegalizing euthanasia. By doing this,
the possibility of patients dying as a result of misdiagnosis will be reduced. Doctors and other supporters of the act should accept that death is inevitable and for that reason, should allow nature to take its course
Work Cited
Barbara MacKinnon. Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
Publishing Company, 2008. Print.
Brassington, Iain. Five Words for Assisted Dying. Law and Philosophy 27.5 (2008): 415-444.
Print.
Lillehammer, Hallvard. Voluntary Euthanasia and the Logical Slippery Slope Argument. The
Cambridge Law Journal 61.3 (2002): 545-550. Print.
Parker, Malcolm. Moral Intuition, Good Deaths and Ordinary Medical Practitioners. Journal of
Medical Ethics 16.1(1990): 28-34. Print.
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