Legalization Of Euthanasia In Australia

Euthanasia is the practice of ending the life of an individual for the purposes of relieving pain and suffering. Over the years, there has been a big debate about its merits and demerits, and the debate is not about to end anytime soon. However, no matter what side of the debate one supports, it is important to consider a few facts. One, the prolonged stay in hospital is bound to raise medical costs. Two, some medical complications bring suffering and pain to the patient without any possibility of getting back to one 's normal activities of daily living. However, ending the life of a person intentionally may be treated as a serious crime in some jurisdictions. Given these facts, it is evident that making a decision about euthanasia is bound to be a challenging task. Although not everyone might agree, euthanasia is a necessary procedure that relieves the pain and suffering of the patient and rids the family and the government of expensive medical costs that would not necessary improve the life of the patient.

Voluntary Euthanasia has been considered a controversial topic for many decades. The idea of committing an act that involves the taking of human life is not one that many people would care to discuss openly. The main argument is that a person who has been diagnosed with an incurable illness and is in extreme pain and their ability to move has been limited, while that person still has control over their destiney should they be allowed take their own life (Bowie, R.2001). The worldwide debate weather one should be allowed to end a life is still one of the biggest ethical issues. The attempt to providing the rights of the individual is in conflict with the moral values of society. Voluntary Euthanasia has been highly rejected by many religious and pro-life institutions.

Euthanasia, or voluntary assisted suicide, has been the subject of much moral, religious, philosophical, legal and human rights debate in Australia. Euthanasia is defined as the intentional act of terminating one’s life, who is suffering from an incurable illness or a terminal disease. This act requires explicit consent from the person who wishes to die and it must also be done out of concern and compassion for that person who is suffering. Several legislative attempts have been made to legalise euthanasia in parts of Australia. However, at the present time, it remains unlawful. With Euthanasia being illegal all across Australia it has forced our citizens overseas to unregulated medical centres in hope of having access to a

Euthanasia is one of the greatest bio-ethical issues of contemporary times. In recent years the relevance of the issue of euthanasia has increased within Australia, however euthanasia has always been a controversial issue. Through history specific culture believed in the importance of dying with dignity. However as time has progressed more western cultures have moved away from this ideology, with many opposiong the active or passive ending of someones life due to religious or societal beliefs.

The first argument for legalising euthanasia indicates to autonomy and fundamental right. Life is extremely precious and must be protected but not at any circumstances, like, a patient who is suffering from physical pain cause of terminal ill and wishing to eradicate from the endless pain. It is a fundamental right to everyone to make decision about those things are momentous to us, like, how we die (Short, 2016). Therefore, many supporters of euthanasia perceive that everyone has the right to control their body and life, and should be free to decide at what time, and in which manner they will die (Brooks,

First, it is essential to define euthanasia in order to resolve any misconceptions. Euthanasia is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma (Oxford dictionaries, 2014). It can be either passive or active however this essay will focus specifically on active euthanasia. Euthanasia is currently illegal in Australia, although it was briefly legal in the northern territory. This essay aims to explore the reasons why Public policy in Australia should legalize physician-assisted suicide. Although I have taken the stance of legalizing euthanasia in Australia I acknowledge that the issue is very complex and I can only begin to

Whilst in some instances, justice has to some extent, been achieved, this is not always the case. Euthanasia is one of the most, radically contested issues of today. Activists have continually sought law reform on this topic over the last 30 years. Yet, with similar issues as to that of abortion, it raises strong ethical and moral questions. In this case, the beliefs of those opposed have seen a halt on any reform. Meaning that justice, for those in some of the most horrific of life positions, is not being served. Euthanasia is another matter involving 'choice' and 'sanctity of life', it also continues the argument of liberal versus democratic, utilitarian perspectives. An example of the tension between these two principles is seen in comments made by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, 'the demands of common good must be measured against claims of liberties: a request for voluntary euthanasia is a request to be killed by another… Aspects of common good affected by the legislation of euthanasia include equal protection under the law,… and factors affecting an individuals sense of security a times when they are feeling particularly

In this chapter the author describe the issue of euthanasia and the issue of end of life practice in Australia. Euthanasia is refers to a practice being done intentionally to end the life of the people who are suffering from illness in order to relieve the pain and suffering. The main ideas in this chapter are about the arguments in life or death issue and the debate happening about what is right or wrong in euthanasia. Although some other countries already accept this practice of ending life, euthanasia in Australia is still illegal and the federal government continues the debate about the issue. It was found that majority of the Australian are already accept and support the legal option of ending life for those people who are suffering from

The families and carers of patients wish for their loved ones to experience a good death. A study of 87 relatives of people who died by euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide were interviewed in the Netherlands. They found 92% felt euthanasia was a positive contribution, either by preventing or ending suffering of their loved ones. (8) This positive experience of euthanasia is reflected in the views of Australian community members, where 910 people were surveyed, with the majority (70%) for legalising euthanasia. (9)

Euthanasia, or voluntary assisted suicide, has been the subject of much moral, legal and human rights debate in Australia. Broadly speaking, this term is used to describe the termination of a person’s life to end their suffering, usually through the administration of drugs. The core of this debate is centred on how to mitigate and pacify competing values; an individual's desire to self autonomy and freedom and choice to die with dignity when suffering, alongside with the devaluation of human life as a consequence that is formed through the legalisation of euthanasia. Due to the nature of the topic of euthanasia that is shrouded with ethical controversy and ambiguity, there is difficulty in legal justification and establishment of voluntary

Now, focusing on being against the legalization of active euthanasia, based on most research, I found there are principles stated. This includes the principle of protecting and preserving life of a human is against legalizing it. Most of the governments work against committing suicide such as abortion (Wennberg 137).

Efforts to change government policies on euthanasia in the 20th century have met limited success. As of 2015, euthanasia is only legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland, Germany, Albania, Colombia, Japan and in the US states of Washington, Oregon, Vermont, New Mexico and Montana and will be in California on January 1, 2016. In the countries that legalize it, has had mostly positive effects over individual’s quality of life, but since Euthanasia is a very sensitive issue even a small chance of misuse may hinder its probability of ever being considered to become legalized.

Euthanasia is a controversial issue. Many different opinions have been formed. From doctors and nurses to family members dealing with loved ones in the hospital, all of them have different ideas for the way they wish to die. However, there are many different issues affecting the legislation and beliefs of legalizing euthanasia. Taking the following aspects into mind, many may get a different understanding as to why legalization of euthanasia is necessary. Some of these include: misunderstanding of what euthanasia really is, doctors and nurses code of ethics, legal cases and laws, religious and personal beliefs, and economics in end-of-life care.

Controversies on legalization of euthanasia in Europe and America are continuing. The argument for legalizing euthanasia36 is that the individual 's freedom entails liberty or choice in all matters as long as the rights of any other person are not infringed upon. The argument against legalizing euthanasia is that it will lead to disrespect for human life. Euthanasia can then be abused for criminal purposes. A financial motive is sometimes advanced in favor of euthanasia. It costs money to the family or the government to keep terminally ill people on life support which will be wastage of resources if they eventually die.

Euthanasia, which is also referred to as mercy killing, is the act of ending someone’s life either passively or actively, usually for the purpose of relieving pain and suffering. “All forms of euthanasia require an intention to accelerate death in order to benefit patients experiencing a poor quality of life” (Sayers, 2005). It is a highly controversial subject that often leaves a person with mixed emotions and beliefs. Opinions regarding this topic hinge on the health and mental state of the victim as well as method of death. It raises legal issues as well as the issue of morals and ethics. Euthanasia is divided into two different categories, passive euthanasia and active euthanasia. “There are unavoidable uncertainties in both active and