Persuasive Essay On Euthanasia

1816 Words8 Pages

Introduction
Euthanasia is one of the most debated and highly controversial topics in the medical field today. Many ancient societies held many different views on Euthanasia or “good death”, it’s etymology. In Sparta, newborn male babies where examined for signs sickliness or disability, and if any signs were found, the child would be cast over a cliff. As the Spartans viewed a sickly child was an unnecessary burden. Christianity and Judaism shared similar views on euthanasia, as only God may create and take life away. God created human beings, so they belong to Him and not themselves. In 1994 Oregonians approved the first Death with Dignity Act in US history, four other states would soon follow suite. Perhaps the most famous case dealing with euthanasia in the medical field, is Doctor Jack Kevorkian. Kevorkian wished to relieve his patients of their suffering, saying “I am doing what a physician is supposed to do”. Kevorkian was faced with pre-meditated murder after broadcasting a euthanasia case on 60 Minutes (NY Times). While Kevorkian was incarcerated for up to eight years, Kevorkian stirred up a state and federal debate on the Right to Die.
October 27th, 1997 was a defining day for Death with Dignity Acts, the first bill of its …show more content…

Allowing patients, the ability to choose how they will die. Opposer’s of DWDA will often cite that quality of health care will decrease and that it is not the role of a physician to assist in making the patient comfortable. While a physician can make all the recommendation’s they want, it is ultimately up to the patient, being of sound mind and body to make decisions for themselves. A right to choose is a choice that should be afforded to all Americans with a terminal illness if they meet certain standards. All the DWDA shared near identical standards, unlike the laws passed throughout Europe and other countries with Death with Dignity Act