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Essay Argument For Legalizing Euthanasia

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A patient is diagnosed with brain tumors that have spread to their bones and muscles. The doctor gives them three months to live, but only with the continuation of treatment. They spend most of their remaining time in a hospital receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments. They must be pushed in a wheelchair because they are too sick to walk and spend the rest of their few months in pain, knowing they will die but not sure when. That is how the last few months of Cristy Grayson's life was spent. Now ask yourself, what would you do if you were in this situation? Would you want to spend the last few months of your life unhappy and in pain, or die peacefully? For some, euthanasia is not an option, but for others it is a way to end their …show more content…

As of 2008, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Andalusia, Thailand and the U.S state of Oregon have made some forms of euthanasia legal. The debate on whether to legalize euthanasia has been an ongoing controversy among physicians, religious leaders, lawyers and the general public (World of Criminal Justice).
The biggest reason why patients choose to be euthanized is because patients feel the quality of life has been damaged due to physical changes. Being extremely sick or even paralyzed can cause patients to feel depressed, and have loss of dignity. Explanations for assisted suicide are pain, hopelessness, and concerns of family members having economic hardship. According to a study of 35 families, nine factors were identified. Out of the 35 patients who wanted to be euthanatized, 24 felt weak and uncomfortable, 23 had loss of function, 14 felt pain from medication, 22 felt no sense of self, 21 felt they had no control, and 3 feared being a burden; This study shows the biggest reason for choosing assisted suicide was found under illness-related experiences (Pearlman). A study done is Oregon also had very similar answers, “89% felt life was no longer enjoyable, 89% felt loss of dignity, and 79% felt lose of autonomy” (Pearlman).
Debates among euthanasia started in the 4th century BC when the Hippocratic oath was written. The oath states that no one should prescribe a deadly drug or give advice that will cause death.

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