Pro Euthanasia Research Paper

Euthanasia: the practice of ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering (“Medical,” 2016). Also called mercy killing, euthanasia has been a hot debate for the last couple of decades on whether the intentional killing of a terminally ill or handicapped person is to be legal or illegal. However, since the topic first came up, only six states have legalized physician-assisted suicide in which a person only has six months or less to live. So why is it that we do not allow patients in pain with only months or week to live, to end their life painlessly and safely? Euthanasia should be legalized to ensure that each hopelessly ill person can have control over their life and their right to die.

Sue Rodriguez was a 30 year old mother who suffered

from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Sue suffered years in constant fear that her muscles would one day go completely weak and she would consciously choke to death, unable to do anything about it. In 1991 she made headlines as she begged to the supreme court to let her decide when and how she died; however, in March 1993, it was denied. Sue said, “if I cannot give consent to my own death, whose body is this? Who owns my life?”(Desk, 2013). Although she was denied to have assisted suicide, Sue had the help of an anonymous doctor to end her own life, on her terms.
Sue is not the only one who has gone through these extensive and illegal measures just to end her life.

Soon, “Right to Die” supports emerged, campaigning for those who want to end their lives legally.The supporters also spread information about the three different types of euthanasia. The different types are called passive euthanasia, active euthanasia, and physician-assisted suicide. The top two most controversial type are active euthanasia, which is intentionally killing someone; and physician-assisted suicide, which is voluntarily prescribing the means for somebody to kill him or herself (“Euthanasia,” n.d.). Furthermore, all three types are usually used with terminally ill or patients who are brain dead; however, one of the three types is used for a different reason. A form of active euthanasia, called state-assisted suicide, is commonly used and seen to be more “appropriate” than physician-assisted

suicide.
According to US Legal (n.d.), state-assisted suicide, or more commonly known as the death penalty, ”is the sentence of execution for murder and some other capital crimes (serious crimes, especially murder, which are punishable by death).” Currently, there are 32 states who have the death penalty. Since 1976, about 1,392 inmates have been killed, while over 3,305 inmates are on the death penalty (Statistic Brain Staff, 2016). Surprisingly, 65% of Americans support the death penalty (“Death Penalty,” n.d.), and 70% of Americans support euthanasia (Boland, 2014). Although there is almost an equal percentage of Americans who support the death penalty and euthanasia, the death penalty is the only one legal in most states. However, in our current society, it is okay to kill an inmate who may not want to die, but it is not okay for a terminally ill patient to end their life the way they want to.
In the mid 1990’s, a U.S. Supreme Court judged whether or not euthanasia should be legalized. Sadly, the court ruled that it would interfere with the U.S. Constitution, but left the issue open for individual states to decide (Yount, 2007, p.9). Although states have the option to legalize euthanasia, if they wish, only six states have done so due to the high controversy of the topic. One of the reasons for such controversy is because of the Hippocratic Oath. The Hippocratic Oath states that “every doctor will promise to neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it nor to make a suggestion to this effect” (Lund, 2002, p. 41). With this oath, many doctors have become skeptical on whether or not it is against their medical license, and some are scared that they will go to jail because of it. A second reason the US Supreme Court is skeptical to legalize, is due to the Dutch Experience of 1984. When euthanasia was first legalized in the Netherlands, over 40% of physicians said they gave a lethal drug without a patient’s consent (Lund 42). However, that was 33 years ago, and new rules, guidelines, and legal measurements can be taken to prevent another experience like this.
The six states and Washington DC, who have all legalized physician-assisted suicide, have set up a perfect example as to have specific and strict guidelines can prevent another mistake to happen. In all legalized states and DC, a patient must be terminally ill and expected to have only 6 months to live. The individual must be a state resident and at least 18 years old. Finally, there must be two oral requests, each within 15 days, and one written request to a physician (“State-by-State,” 2017). The guidelines have set up a strict and effective way so that physicians cannot take advantage of euthanasia, but so that dying patients can have their “right to die.”
One main concept that many have a hard time understanding is why someone would want to end their life so soon if they are terminally ill or brain damaged. Some of the major side effects accompanied with a terminal illness is depression, suicidal thoughts, delirium, and anxiety. All of these side effects take their own toll on an individual’s body. For instance, anxiety consists of physical, psychological, spiritual, practical, and social aspects. It can cause problems such as insomnia, development of panic disorder, excessive sweating, hyperventilation, fear, and tachycardia (Fine, 2001). Furthermore, physical pain tends to be among the highest reported symptom of a chronic illness, but every disease or disorder comes with their own symptoms to add to the long list.
That brings about the finally reason many want the option of euthanasia: personhood and dignity. As quoted by Norman Cousins (n.d.), “death is not the ultimate tragedy of life. The ultimate tragedy is depersonalization.” With all the side effects that come with an extreme illness, an adult would soon turn into a ‘child’. The embarrassment of not being able to go to the bathroom, bathe oneself, feed oneself, or get out of bed can be more painful than the physical pain. Would they even consider themselves a person anymore?
Hospice facilities have become popular for patients near the end of life because of the depersonalizing symptoms.

Hospice has been able to provide support and relief for patients in pain, making them as comfortable as possible. One of the many workers who help the dying are called palliative care workers. Palliative care, as defined by the National Association of Social Workers (2010), is the “seeking to prevent or relieve pain—which can be physical, psychosocial, or spiritual—and other symptoms associated with serious illness. Although hospice facilities are strongly opposed to euthanasia, Dr. Dee Grott gave her own view on the controversial topic. She stated, “as a physician there are two questions to consider,” she said. “Do I think patients have a right to choice? Yes. But do I personally feel I have the right to take another’s life. No. It’s not for me to decide when you’ll die.” However, she will not try to revive a dying patient who has overdosed or in cardiac arrest unless they request it before hand. “We shouldn’t prolong life at any cost, for most of our patients, it’s medically futile since they are already so close to death (Hunter, 2002, p.

21).”
Another aspect that should also be considered is the family members of a dying patient. Family members and close friends all have to see, hear, and experience the slow, painful death of loved ones. For Reese Marshall, watching her mother slowly die is a painful memory. Marshal remembers watching her mother live her last 3 weeks alive full of embarrassment and no control over her own life. In their situation, home care nurses were around daily, helping her mother do everyday tasks for her. She no longer could bathe or feed herself, and would sob how sorry she was when she soiled herself. Her mother would often yell “What’s happening to me?” becoming extremely confused from the increase of her anxiety and delirium. Her medications were pumped so high that she was soon unresponsive for most of the time (Marshall, 2015). After recalling horrific memories of her mother, Marshall stated (2015), “I was never convinced she was being kept comfortable . . . medications had little or no effect in the last days. She was helpless and, if given a choice, would never have wanted to die like that.”
An action should be made to help patients like Sue Rodriguez and Reese Marshall’s mother. An individual who wants to end his or her life safely and painlessly, when terminally ill, should have the right since it is their body. States should not make terminally ill patients suffer through depression, anxiety, or delirium when they only have six months or fewer to live. Not only are the states affecting the patients, but the families who are involved. The family can only sit back and watch as the person suffers through side effect that they do not even want to go through. If the United States is killing off criminals who do not want to be killed, then why is the United States not allowing terminally ill patients who are ready to go do the means safely? Euthanasia should be legalized to ensure that terminally ill and brain damaged individuals do not have to suffer the short months they have left, but let them fall asleep peacefully.