The Risks of Legalizing Euthanasia

Euthanasia, which is basically helping someone end their life to stop their suffering, has been a hot topic of ethical debates lately. Some folks say making it legal would be a kind way to help those in serious pain. Others worry about big moral and practical issues it might cause. This essay is gonna look at the risks of making euthanasia legal, like how it could be abused, people might get pushed into it, and what it means for how society sees the value of life.

The Dangers of Legalizing Euthanasia

Let's talk about one of the big worries with making euthanasia legal: people might take advantage of it. If it's allowed, shady characters could use it to target vulnerable folks like the elderly or those with disabilities (Smith, 2015). There was this study by the Canadian Centre for Elder Law that found elder abuse went up in places where euthanasia got legalized. That's kinda scary if you think about the risks involved (Canadian Centre for Elder Law, 2017).

Another thing to think about is how some folks might feel pressured into choosing euthanasia. Like if they’re dealing with money problems or don’t have good healthcare options or just don't wanna be a burden on their families (Pereira, 2011). In Oregon, where assisted suicide is legal, a study showed that 40% of patients mentioned not wanting to burden others as part of why they chose it (Ganzini et al., 2009). Makes you wonder if some are really choosing freely or feeling pushed into it.

And then there's how this could change our whole outlook on life’s value. If ending life intentionally becomes okay, we might start getting numb to just how precious human life is, especially when we're talking about vulnerable groups (Keown, 2002). This shift could lead to undervaluing lives which isn’t good news for folks who're already on society's edges.

Counterarguments

Now, those who support euthanasia often say it's a compassionate answer for those who can't bear their suffering anymore. They argue that it lets individuals control how and when they go. Plus, they believe strong safeguards can keep things fair and prevent misuse (Battin et al., 2015).

But these points don’t fully tackle all the concerns about possible abuse and pressure or what legalizing euthanasia does to societal values. Sure, precautions can help lessen some risks but won't make them vanish completely. The potential shift in how we view life's value stays a crucial issue that needs deep thought.

Conclusion

In wrapping up, letting euthanasia become legal brings up hefty challenges involving possible abuse and coercion along with shifting societal views on life's worth. While supporters see it as an empathetic solution for intense suffering cases, we gotta weigh its potential downsides seriously against any benefits people claim. Future studies should keep digging into the ethical and practical sides of euthanasia while exploring other ways to handle end-of-life care that focus on empathy, dignity, and respecting life's core value.

References

• Battin, M. P., Rhodes, R., & Silvers, A. (2015). The Patient as Victim and Vector: Can Ethics Abandon the Ideal of the Autonomous Patient? The American Journal of Bioethics, 15(3), 3-14.
• Pereira, J. M. (2011). Legalizing Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide: The Illusion of Safeguards and Controls. Current Oncology, 18(2), e78-e82.
• Smith, J. W. (2015). Ethical Challenges in End-of-Life Care: Special Considerations for Practitioners Working with Older Adults. Journal of Aging Studies, 29(3), 22-28.
• Canadian Centre for Elder Law. (2017). A Study on Elder Abuse in Jurisdictions Allowing Euthanasia: Implications and Solutions.
• Keown, J. (2002). Euthanasia Examined: Ethical Perspectives on End-of-Life Decisions.
• Ganzini L., Goy E.R., & Dobscha S.K., (2009) Physician-assisted suicide: family members’ experiences in Oregon.The New England Journal of Medicine, 361(6), 563–572.