Why Is Euthanasia Ethically Wrong

Imagine being diagnosed with a terminally ill disease, knowing that your illness cannot be cured. Everyday you are reminded of your painful illness through your suffering. The doctor decides to relieve your suffering by performing euthanasia. Euthanasia, often referred to as “mercy killing”, is intentionally ending one’s life to cease pain or suffering. The contemporary euthanasia movement originated in two countries in the 1930s (Simon). In 1938, the Euthanasia Society of America was formed in the United States (Simon). In 1973, the Patients Bill of Rights was developed which specifies the patients prerogative to refuse treatment and right to informed consent. There are four various types of euthanasia which are: passive euthanasia, active

To perform such an act, causing the death of one’s life, is morally wrong. Linda Tancs, author of Euthanasia and the Right to Die, states, “Opponents believe that ending a life prematurely by the way of active euthanasia is legally and morally wrong,” (Tancs). Doctors who decide to end one’s life early by the way of euthanasia, are doing it morally and legally incorrect. Tancs also states, “Pope John Paul Ⅱ used a declaration on euthanasia opposing mercy killing out of respect for the sanctity of human life,” (Tancs). Performing euthanasia, knowing that it is morally wrong, is disrespect towards human

Euthanasia is the solution to end one’s suffering. In the book, Euthanasia, it states, “Keeping seriously ill people alive is selfish and benefits families who want to avoid losing their loved ones, at the expense of the patients, who must endure prolonged suffering,” (Euthanasia, 22). People who keep suffering patients alive are only benefiting themselves, not the patient. Also, one may say that euthanasia is less expensive than medical care. The article states, “Drugs for euthanasia cost about $35 to $45, making them far less expensive than providing medical care,” (ProCon.org). Euthanasia is benefiting the less fortunate by reducing the expense of the drug of the drug. It is understandable as to why one may support euthanasia, however, euthanasia should still not be performed due to the devaluation of one’s life and it’s