Euthanasia

The euthanasia controversy is part of a larger issue concerning the right to die. It is also known as assisted suicide and is currently a huge disputed issue around the world concerning ethics and morals. There are various forms, including voluntary euthanasia, which refers to mercy killing. This takes place with the voluntary consent, either verbally or in a written document and allows people who are terminally ill or in unbearable pain to receive a lethal prescription from a physician. Non-voluntary euthanasia refers to ending the life of a patient who is unconscious, in a vegetated state, or otherwise unable to clearly express his/her wishes. In this type of case, it is often family members who make the request. Involuntary euthanasia is ending the life of an able patient without his/her permission or against his/her will. This is murder. Obviously, there are too many divisions and interpretations of euthanasia to clearly express one definition. This only adds to the controversy.

Personally, I have no reason to be against euthanasia. Some people say it rejects the importance and value of a human life, but it all comes down to what a person decides to do with his/her own life. We have no right to control the decisions of others. Our decisions reflect our lives and make us individuals. Other people could say they may be wrong and immoral, but it's our decision and we choose to stand by it. One of the major arguments in favor of voluntary euthanasia is that the person involved is in great pain. If there is no medication or no hope to relieve their pain, it is reasonable if that person sees no point in continuing to live. They should have the choice to either unnecessarily deal with the pain until they die naturally or end the suffering right away by deliberately taking a lethal dose of a drug, painlessly facing death. It is a reasonable decision and should be made available, but not necessarily enforced.

Second of all, I believe that voluntary euthanasia is a right in civil liberty. Suicide and attempted suicide is not criminalized; it is a tragic, individual act. It's not emphasized in society as favorable, but it's a person's body, and their life and their death. They have a right to have control. It is similar to illegalizing people having tattoos, or piercings, or practicing a certain religion because it is believed to be immoral. It is just a point of view. Someone can have a right to their opinion and express