Essay on Euthanasia Not Just for the Terminally Ill

Euthanasia: Not Just for the Terminally Ill Euthanasia or assisted suicide would not only be available to people who are terminally ill. This popular misconception is what this essay seeks to correct. There is considerable confusion on this point, perhaps further complicated by statements in the media. There are two problems here - the definition of terminal and the changes that have already taken place to extend euthanasia or assisted suicide to those who arent terminally ill. There are many definitions for the word terminal. For example, Jack Kevorkian who participated in the deaths of more than 130 people before he was convicted of murder said that a terminal illness was any disease that curtails†¦show more content†¦23) The idea that euthanasia and assisted suicide should only be practiced if a patient has a terminal condition has never been accepted in the Netherlands.(Griffiths) Under both the previous guidelines and the new law in the Netherlands, unbearable suffering of either a physical or mental nature has been the factor that qualifies one for induced death.(For) It appears that not even the prerequisite of subjective unbearable suffering will be maintained for much longer. Discussion now centers on whether assisted suicide should be available to elderly people who are healthy but tired of life. Dutch Minister of Justice Els Borst has said, I am not against it if it can be carefully controlled so that only those people of advanced age who are tired of life can use it.(Oostven) Assisted suicide for non-terminally ill patients has also been advocated repeatedly in the United States. In 1994, the influential New England Journal of Medicine published an article recommending legalization that would permitShow MoreRelatedEuthanasia Should Be Allowed And Protected By Legislation1656 Words   |  7 Pagesshe lives in has not legalized euthanasia and she is forced to live with the excruciating mental and physical pain for many more months. Many believe that a person who is terminally ill should retain the right to choose whether or not they want to die and defend the practice by saying it is financially suitable. Euthanasia should be allowed and protected by legislation because it a human’s ethical right to die and it is also economically sensible. 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