The debate over euthanasia is problematic because it is less scientific and more ethical. People defend their viewpoints largely with personal mores and perspectives on the value of human life. While there has been an increase in support for euthanasia as time has elapsed, traditional mores question if it is an ethical practice in general.
First of all, the practice is a violation of fundamental medical ethics. This can be attributed back to the universal Hippocratic Oath that the majority of physicians must take. Although it has changed slightly over the years, especially since the times of the Greek “Father of Medicine,” its fundamental principles continue to respect beneficence, non-maleficence, confidentiality, veracity, and justice and respect for the patient's autonomy. Euthanasia directly contradicts the essence of what medical professionals believe now and have believed for centuries. Forcing doctors to simply ignore these principles, avoid the preservation of human life, and take the lives of others as an administrative task could result in serious damages to the once intimate relationship between doctor and patient. Euthanasia is not only in opposition to traditional principles, but it is also a possible source of doubt in the future. Hardened by procedural processes of death, doctors could eventually show an increasing lack of compassion for patients, which will end the traditional adherence to the Hippocratic Oath and oppose the essential purpose of the profession.
Second, euthanasia can not be justified in most religions. Because many believe human life is a sacred creation of God, ending it would be considered a sinful act. Although some religious scholars argue that euthanasia is an acceptable practice to some degree, most major religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism oppose it with similar reasons. Assisted or unassisted, the decision to end one’s life, especially by someone who is not the patient, is a highly controversial path to follow. Therefore, just like how society unquestionably opposes suicide, it should also unquestionably oppose euthanasia.
Third, the “slippery slope” argument emphasizes the idea that allowing euthanasia could create unforeseen consequences on both the patients and the future of healthcare. If patients are given the choice, it is difficult to assess their level of competence for making the decision. Even if a patient may seem alert or knowledgeable, the opposite may be true. Other factors can also play into a patient’s decisions. For example, if a patient has depression, he or she may purposefully choose euthanasia and it would result in a case similar to suicide. Patients may also feel pressured to choose one choice over the other because they may feel like a burden on resources or to society. Instead of being a voluntary choice, euthanasia can become an increasingly coerced practice.
What makes euthanasia extremely dangerous is the fact that it is difficult to regulate. Once healthcare surpasses that line of fear, attitudes toward the practice will change and it could create problems such as involuntary euthanasia. Occasionally, a patient recovers despite all odds, or a doctor’s diagnosis is off. If euthanasia was legalized, it could end incredible occurrences such as these, which would kill people who could have survived.
Finally, palliative care makes the practice completely unnecessary. There is no reason as to why a patient must suffer on the brink of death when pain minimalizing treatments are widely available. Euthanasia would only be a sign of the lack of proper palliative care performed by the doctor. Therefore, while euthanasia may seem like a plausible solution to end the suffering of others, there are a plethora of other superior alternative solutions.
Works Cited
Brazier, Yvette. "What are euthanasia and assisted suicide?" Medical News Today, 17 Dec. 2018. Medical News Today, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/182951#controversy.
Edelstein, Ludwig. "Hippocratic Oath - Classical Version." McMaster University, 2020 McMaster University, 1943, hslmcmaster.libguides.com/c.php?g=306726&p=2044095.
"Euthanasia and assisted suicide." our health service, 2020 Health Service Executive, 7 Dec. 2011, www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/e/euthanasia-and-assisted-suicide/arguments-for-and-against-euthanasia.html.
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