Euthanasia and Human Dignity

Euthanasia has become an important issue in the protection of human dignity. As medical science becomes more capable at prolonging life, but not necessarily at making that life valuable, euthanasia becomes an option to be considered by those who suffer, those who love them, and those who are charged with their care. Passive euthanasia refers to the withdrawal of "heroic" measures that keep a moribund person alive, and active euthanasia means taking a positive action that leads directly to the death of another person, and active euthanasia is considered murder in most legal and religious systems (Urofsky 15). However, active euthanasia should be legalized. It is first of all a humane way of ending life in the event of a terminal illness or debilitating and incurable injury. The legalization of active euthanasia would also end the physical and emotional suffering not only of the patient but also of the immediate family members. Furthermore, such a move would help cut the nation's soaring health costs by eliminating expensive extended--and ultimately fruitless--hospital care.

More and more Americans today are seeking the right to terminate life when it is no longer livable, as is seen in the success of books like Final Exit, which offers a rationale for active euthanasia and suicide:

It is against the law everywhere to assist a suicide--no matter what the reason. . . Yet hundreds of people in America still do help their loved ones to die every year (Humphry, Fina

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e of death," though he is placing a certain value judgment on the matter by his choice of terms. Supporters of euthanasia under certain circumstances see their position as a "culture of life," as a dedication to the quality of life, to the prevention of suffering, and to personal choice in the matter. Pope John Paul II discusses a number of things he sees as part of the "culture of death," but he is not always as absolute about the matter as some see him to be: John Paul is equally adamant in his opposition to assisted suicide and euthanasia. Both practices are "intolerable and burdensome." But here he makes distinctions. Life in the terminally ill need not be prolonged by "aggressive medical procedures." And drugs that reduce suffering are acceptable even if they shorten life (Woodward 59). Physicians usually assume that what patients and families want in a crisis is resuscitation--life at all costs. However, surveys show that public opinion is on the side of withdrawing all "invasive" and "extraordinary" treatment in such cases ("Euthanasia: What Is the 'Good Death'?" 21). In many cases, the patient who is being kept alive also suffers great pain and indignity, which cannot necessarily be measured objectively. The app

Category: Medical - E