Should Euthanasia be legalized?
"Life asked Death, "Why do people love me but hate you?" Death responded, "Because you are a beautiful lie and I am a painful truth." Author unknown
Introduction
Making a decision becomes harder when both sides have strong and logical opinions, and euthanasia is among those topics.
Should euthanasia be legalized? is a never-ending debate, but it's a necessary one. The outcome of this debate will decide the fate of many in India and around the globe.
What is euthanasia?
Ending someone’s life without pain to relieve them from a life of suffering is known as euthanasia, otherwise known as mercy killing, and it can be performed if a person is suffering from an incurable or terminal illness and he wishes to end his life or the lives of those who are close to him (if the patient is not in a condition to make a decision for himself).
Types of euthanasia
Active euthanasia
Using lethal compounds for the purpose of ending one's life is known as "active euthanasia," also known as "aggressive euthanasia," but it's a practise that is illegal in India and most of the world.
Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium being some of the exceptions, active euthanasia becomes important for patients who are in chronic pain that comes with an incurable illness but who are not on the ventilator or on a life support system.
Passive euthanasia
Hasting the death of the patient by withdrawing life support to induce the death in a natural way is the classical form of "passive" euthanasia.
Passive euthanasia became legal in India after the Supreme Court's 2018 verdict, but under strict guidelines.
Voluntary euthanasia
When patients express their clear and explicit will to end their life in order to get relief from their suffering.
Non-voluntary euthanasia
When the will of the individual is unknown or not taken before ending his life, this case occurs when the patient is unconscious or in a state where his will can't be taken. For example, in the case of a child, an animal, or an unsound person.
How is euthanasia different from suicide?
Suicide and euthanasia both involve taking one's own life, so why is one considered noble while the other is considered a crime? This is primarily due to the fact that in euthanasia, the right to die is granted to people who are suffering from incurable illnesses and are in excruciating pain, so you may be wondering if a person who wants to take his own life is also in excruciating pain, but regardless of how painful one's life is, it is illegal to take one's own life if one's body is physically fit, and the right to die is not granted in cases of mental illness.
What is the difference between assisted suicide and euthanasia?
Euthanasia: Euthanasia is the act of ending one's life in order to relieve one from suffering.
Assisted suicide: In terms of the law, helping someone to kill themselves is known as assisted suicide.
But sometimes doctors also help patients who don't wish to live any longer take their lives; this is also considered assisted suicide.
Why should euthanasia be legalized?
These are the statements given in favor of euthanasia.
It's a matter of choice.
"A death with dignity is way better than a life of misery," is the statement given by those who favor euthanasia.
No one should be forced to live a painful life
It's neither moral nor logical for one to live miserably just because the law says so.
It's used as a last resort
One of the popular statements given in favor of euthanasia is that one doesn't want to use drastic measures such as euthanasia if there are other ways available.
Why euthanasia should stop?
Statements given against euthanasia.
Voluntary euthanasia threatens the scope of medical research
It is among the most popular statements made against the legalization of euthanasia. If euthanasia is made legal, then the focus will be shifted toward killing rather than searching for a cure for the diseases.
It won't take long before people start misusing it
Another logical statement against euthanasia. If euthanasia is to be made legal, then it won't take long before people will start misusing it in their greed to get property from the elderly.
Euthanasia will promote death
Promoting death is another accusation that euthanasia has faced, and it's true to some extent that if euthanasia becomes legal, elderly individuals will start thinking of their lives as a burden at times.
Controversies over euthanasia
Due to euthanasia being such an important and debatable topic, it has created many controversies.
"Right to die" is a concept that says every human should be allowed to choose to undergo voluntary euthanasia if he or she is suffering from a terminal illness.
Should there be a right to die?
It's a question that is still to be answered, so what are your thoughts about the right to die, let us know in the comments?
Right to live— many think that the right to die clearly opposes the right to live that is given to every citizen by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
Against the religion: many religions view euthanasia as an irreligious activity and demands it be banned immediately. They say life is a gift given to humans by God, and no one, under any circumstance, has the right to disgrace the gift given by God.
Stances of different religions on euthanasia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_views_on_euthanasia#:~:text=The%20Catholic%20Church%20opposes%20active,should%20not%20be%20prematurely%20shortened.
History of euthanasia in India
Before March 9, 2018, euthanasia of any type was considered an illegal act, but everything changed with the Supreme Court verdict on March 9, 2018. The Supreme Court of India made a historic decision on this day and legalised passive euthanasia.
Stance of india over euthanasia
The Supreme Court of India only allowed passive euthanasia; active euthanasia is still a crime, and passive euthanasia is only allowed in particular circumstances.
If the person has become brain-dead and the ventilator can be turned off.
And for those who are in a persistent vegetative state (PVS), international standards have to be met while performing euthanasia.
Final thoughts
It's not a matter where I'm able to give my opinions, and neither should my opinions matter; it's a matter that should be taken care of by intellectuals and doctors. We normal individuals should refrain from giving any verdict; we get emotional very easily, and it's a decision that can't be made in emotions.
Comments
Post a Comment