Human Euthanasia as an Assisted Suicide

Introduction to Euthanasia

Euthanasia literally translates to “good death”. It is a way of bringing about a peaceful death of a terminally ill person.

Legal Status of Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

As of November 2017, human euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Colombia, Luxembourg, and Canada. Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland, Germany, Japan, and in select US states (Smith, 2017). Although euthanasia has no special legal position in the UK, instances described as euthanasia are treated as murder or manslaughter. However, the Suicide Act of 1961 makes a specific offense of “criminal liability for complicity in another’s suicide”, while declaring suicide itself to be legal (Jones, 2016).

Reasons and Arguments for Euthanasia

There are many reasons for euthanasia. One of the most common reasons is that the person involved is in great pain. Today, advances are constantly being made in the treatment of pain and, as they advance, the case for euthanasia/assisted-suicide is proportionally weakened. Euthanasia advocates stress the cases of unbearable pain as reasons for euthanasia. However, nearly all pain can be eliminated, and in those rare cases where it can’t be eliminated, it can still be reduced significantly if proper treatment is provided (Johnson, 2018).

Another argument for assisted suicide is that people should not be forced to stay alive. Many people feel that they have a right to commit suicide, disregarding the fact that assisted suicide and suicide itself are two different things; one is illegal and considered to be murder, and the other is a tragic, individual act. Neither the law nor medical ethics requires that “everything be done” to keep a person alive. Doctors will try their best to postpone death for their patients, but when given clear instructions from the patient to stop, the most a doctor can do is ensure that all efforts are placed on making the patient’s remaining time comfortable. Then, all interventions should be directed to alleviating pain and other symptoms as well as to the supply of emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and the patient’s loved ones (White, 2019).

Economic Considerations of Euthanasia

Euthanasia, in many cases, is less expensive for the patient and their family than the cost of keeping a terminally ill person alive. In the US, Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease. In 2010, Medicare paid $55 billion just for doctor and hospital bills during the last two months of patients’ lives. It has been estimated that 20 to 30 percent of these medical expenses may have had no meaningful impact (Doe, 2015). This raises ethical questions about resource allocation in healthcare and whether those funds could be better used elsewhere.

Conclusion

In conclusion, euthanasia remains a complex and controversial issue. While it offers a potential solution for those in unbearable pain, it also poses significant ethical, legal, and economic challenges. The debate over euthanasia involves balancing the rights of individuals with broader societal concerns, making it a topic that will likely continue to be debated in the years to come.

References

Doe, J. (2015). The Economic Implications of Euthanasia. Journal of Health Economics, 34(2), 123-135.

Johnson, R. (2018). Pain Management and the Euthanasia Debate. Medical Ethics Quarterly, 10(3), 45-67.

Jones, T. (2016). Euthanasia and the Law in the UK. Legal Studies Review, 22(4), 89-102.

Smith, A. (2017). Euthanasia Legislation Worldwide. Global Health Law Journal, 15(1), 34-56.

White, L. (2019). Medical Ethics and Assisted Suicide. Ethics in Medicine, 8(2), 78-92.