Argumentative Essay: The Death With Dignity Act

In the discussion of euthanasia, one controversial issue has been whether it should be legal or not. On one hand, some argue that accelerating death is wrong. On the other hand, some feel that you should have the right to be able to choose your own time of death. My own view is that euthanasia should be an illegal practice. The Death with Dignity Act was enacted in Oregon in 1997. Since the time it was enacted, 859 patients have used euthanasia to end their life (“Oregon’s Death”). Now, that may not seem like a lot right now, but when looking at the graph that Oregon Public Health Division has provided, you will see a steady increase in practice. Back in 1997, 24 terminally ill patients were prescribed a lethal prescription but only 16 people actually took the pill to cause their death. In 2014, the numbers have risen to 155 terminally ill patients prescribed and 105 of those patients have ingested the pill (“Oregon’s Death”). As the years have gone by, more and more information has being given out to the public about the Death with Dignity Act. This is causing more

However, even though euthanasia is only for those who are terminally ill, it is still a broad opening for people to find their way in. Cases like Dr. J. Kevorkian's case are prime examples of how euthanasia cam be abused. Dr. Kevorkian was convicted of murder for euthanizing 130 patients (Diaconescu). According to Dr. Kevorkian, his definition of terminal was “any disease that curtails life even for a day” (“The Real Jack”). With this definition, Dr. Kevorkian was able to euthanize those who did not fit in the proper definition of terminal ill, meaning a life expectancy of six months or less. Legalizing euthanasia will allow people like Dr. Kevorkian to worm their way around and find loopholes that will allow them to offer euthanasia to those who shouldn’t be able to obtain