The Pros And Cons Of The Right To Die

Currently, in the United States, 12% of states including Vermont, Oregon, and California have legalized the Right to Die. This ongoing debate whether or not to assist in death with patients who have terminal illness has been and is still far from over. Before continuing, the definition of Right to Die is, “an individual who has been certified by a physician as having an illness or physical condition which can be reasonably be expected to result in death in 24 months or less after the date of the certification” (Terminally Ill Law & Legal Definition 1). With this definition, the Right to die ought to be available to any person that is determined terminally ill by a professional, upon this; with the request of Right to Die, euthanasia must be

In the book The Right to Die by Elaine Landau a story is shared of a young boy. The kids name is Juan and he was seventeen years of age, he had a terrible tumor that had to be operated on. The first surgery he had went well, but dismally the tumor came back again. Subsequently after the first surgery Juan was weak and almost died. The doctor and parents decided that he needed another surgery, however, Juan disagreed. He wanted to live the last few months of his life without pain, he wanted to go enjoy time at school and with friends. Instead his parents forced him into surgery and sadly died three weeks after surgery. The fact of the matter is that minors have a voice too, and it needs to be understood. Exactly like the Right to Die, some want the option to use it and others do not, but as long as it is available terminally ill patients feel more welcoming to the thought of death (Landau

Alternatives include withdrawal and pain medicine. Most people preferred withdrawal and pain medicines more than the Right to Die, until Oregon first legalized the act. Once a majority of the people realized that euthanasia was a more humane way of dying the tide turned. The problem with withdrawal, it just makes the suffering even worse because the patient no longer has the right nutrients, breathing pattern, heart rate, etc. Without any of these things being corrected the suffering will continue more horrendous than it was before. As well, using pain killers gives the same effect. Taking pain medications only suppresses the pain and although that is beneficial, most often pain killers suppress the mind. Even though the human does not feel pain, the brain is no longer functional and it is as if the patient is no longer mentally