Euthanasia can be defined as the act of a merciful, relatively painless killing of a terminally ill or severely injured individual. Euthanasia can be seen as one of the most controversial and complex issues in today's society. A constant debate exists to whether the matter should be legal or not, however there is an immense grey area. Should a patient who has lost complete functionality of their brain be taken off life support? Does a dying, suffering cancer patient have the right to be put to death to escape the pain? I find myself experiencing a battle of my morals when trying to understand such tragic scenarios. Having done research on euthanasia in the past, I always find it almost impossible to take a stand on an opinion. Nonetheless, I was determined to adequately analyze the matter of euthanasia in terms of older adults.
The social group most influenced by the act of euthanasia is the elderly. The NHS (National Health Service) euthanizes approximately 130 000 elderly patients every year. In attempts to free spaces in hospital beds, doctors are killing off older adults whom they perceive as terminally ill (Doughty, 2012). I see this statistic to be a sickening example of ageism. We do not have the right to place value on another individual's life in terms of their age. The lives of younger patients are saved at all costs, while the lives of elderly patients are being given up on. I feel that the act euthanasia is a complete disregard to the sanctity of human life. Although I do agree that in certain situations euthanasia is acceptable, I believe that the legalization of active euthanasia would be an mistake. The authorization of euthanasia would lead to its usage transforming from a last resort to a viable option for patients. The sense of hope for all elderly would be abolished. From the perspective of a terminally ill older adult, a recovery will begin to seem irrelevant and pointless when euthanasia is being offered, and in some cases pushed upon them. Every life deserves to be fought for, regardless of one's age.
Although we are called to trust the medical expertise of our doctors, we must understand that no individual should be given the ongoing authority to take the lives of other human beings, especially without their consent. Non-voluntary euthanasia refers to the euthanization of a patient who is not able to make such a decision for themselves. The city of Holland, where "active euthanasia" is legal, provides a prime example to the corruption of euthanasia. I chose to place quotations around "active euthanasia" because upon doing research into the medical systems of Holland, "active euthanasia" hardly defines what they are objecting patients to. Recent studies have uncovered that in 1990, 1030 Dutch patients were killed without their consent. Of 22 500 deaths due to withdrawal of life support, 14 175 patients were denied medical treatment without their consent (If Mercy Killing Becomes Legal, 2012). The legalization of active euthanasia leads to a direct abuse of power. We must not draw a blind eye to this issue. If euthanasia becomes morally accepted and legal in our society, the effects on the elderly population will be catastrophic. Our society already abuses, belittles and takes for granted these human beings for no reason other than old age. We do not need to add euthanasia into the list of great injustices that older adults face.
The notion of euthanasia is in complete contradiction of the social democratic ideology. This ideology exemplifies the values of social equality, justice and cooperation. It stands by the fact that everybody should have natural right to life. It also promotes freedom and ensuring equal chances for all. (Straka, 2012) There is no greater social inequality than the assumption that your life is of lesser value than another. This is exactly what euthanasia objects older adults to. Euthanizing an elderly ill patient gives off the horrid impression that an older life is not worth saving. Non-voluntary euthanasia is the ultimate thief of freedom. To take away one's life without their consent shows a complete lack of respect towards the life of that individual, especially an elder. The knowledge and wisdom that come with age can never be put into value. let alone deemed as not important. The aspect of "equal changes for all" is also being disclaimed by euthanasia. Doctors that are permitted to perform euthanasia are given the authority to decide whether a life is worth saving or not. It is likely that if euthanasia becomes widely legalized, patients of older age will not be given the same effort to be saved, which they deserve as human beings.
As I said earlier, the grey areas that surround euthanasia make it almost impossible to reach a complete census to whether it is right or wrong. It is also difficult to grasp the matter without having to actually face it in reality. I sympathize deeply with any family who has to watch a loved one suffer, and for those suffering themselves. However I do feel that euthanasia being illegal for the most part is beneficial from a long-term perspective. It teaches us that life is sacred and that every life deserves fighting for.
-Jenna
References
Doughty, S. (2012, June 19). Top doctor's chilling claim: The NHS kills off 130,000 elderly patients every year | Mail Online. Home | Mail Online. Retrieved November 29, 2012, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2161869/Top-doctors-chilling-claim-The-NHS-kills-130-000-elderly-patients-year.html
IF MERCY KILLING BECOMES LEGAL. (2012). Euthanasia suicide mercy-killing right-to-die physician assisted suicide living wills research. Retrieved November 29, 2012, from http://www.euthanasia.com/mercy.html
Straka, S. (2012). Social Democratic Ideology. SWRK1006 Slides Oct 12 Ideologies.
Jenna;
ReplyDeleteI know that this is a very difficult topic to address, and I think you did so very admirably. You made some excellent points, and I agree with your thoughts that the lives of the elderly should be valued just as much as people at any other age, and should therefore be protected. I, thankfully, have not gone through watching a loved one faced with immense suffering. I cannot begin to understand how it must feel to be burdened with the decision to euthanize a person or to watch them suffer.
However, one thing our society does not recognize is the value that lies in suffering. I believe there is so much to be learnt from bearing hardship and pain, and it can be so strengthening. That may not make it any easier, but it is never pointless.
I am glad that Canada does not allow euthanasia because I know that making this law even the slightest bit more relaxed can let doctors abuse their power, and patients and their families to suffer even more.
This was a very well balanced post between your thorough research and your own opinion!
-Selina
I did not know that euthanasia was legal in several countries, as well as active euthanasia which allows doctors to take the lives of their patients without their consent. A doctor may be able to tell that a patient is terminally ill, but that does not mean a patient should not be able to live out the rest of their days, doing things they love or spending time with their families. Regarding older adults, I see where the subject of euthanasia would be most favoured among this population. I also do not believe this fair. Older adults may have had longer to live their lives, but that does not mean that their lives should be allowed to be taken away from them. In a Canadian society, I can see the legalization of euthanasia as catostrophic. People living in poverty that have illness or disability who attempt to commit suicide but do not succeed may look towards euthanasia if they are slowly dying. This takes away hope from the people. I understand that euthanasia is a difficult and horrible topic to speak of, and I cannot believe that it is being allowed to be performed without a patient's consent. In my eyes, that is the same as murder.
ReplyDelete- Kara (Poverty Group)
Euthanasia continues to be a very controversial subject today. I find myself supporting euthanasia in some cases but also being completely against it in others. As you described in your blog Jenna, I also feel for the families that must watch their loved one suffer everyday from chronic pain. In a case like this, I think that a close loved one should be able to make the choice to either continue the suffering life or to put it to rest. I believe that the suffering patient's loved ones knows them best and would know if they wanted to continue fighting or had enough of the pain.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to the decision of the doctor, I think that the doctor of the suffering patient has no right to make the decision to end a someone's life without the consent of the patient or consent or close loved one. I also think that the doctor should't add their personal opinion on the subject to end a human's live or not. Whether to end someone life or not is not a question that should be influenced by anyone other then the person suffering or loved one.
I agree with you Jenna when you say that the grey areas in euthanasia makes it very difficult to say it's right or wrong.I said earlier in this comment that the decision to continue someone's live or not could also be made by close loved ones but I can also contradict myself because of the grey areas. A person can be looked at as helping loved one who wants what best for their suffering partner/family member and that's why they decide to "pull the plug". However, they can really be a loved one who has a grudge against the patient and want him/her to die. In my opinion, since there are so many grey areas in euthanasia that have yet to be sorted out, it should be an illegal act until the grey areas are approached.
-Lindsay