西雅圖求學記

   Agreement The Euthanasia Should be Legal

Euthanasia is a way of ending a life on purpose to end pain or suffering. The patients Right Council explains that the words “euthanasia” and “assisted suicide” are often used interchangeably. In this report, they argue euthanasia is defined as intentionally, knowingly and directly acting to cause the death another person. For example, a doctor gives a patient a lethal injection. According to the New Health Guide, the Netherlands was the first country to allow euthanasia. It is also legal in some states in the US, including Oregon, Washington, Montana and Vermont. Recently, California became the fifth US state to allow euthanasia. However, while some people agree with euthanasia, some think it is inhumane to end someone’s life. I agree euthanasia should be legal because of the three reasons: ending pain of terminally ill people, reducing spending of hospices and patient's family, and having the right to choose to die.

First of all, ending the pain of terminally ill people is the first reason that I agree euthanasia should be legal. People who are sick, such as terminally ill patients, need medicine. Euthanasia would be a good way to humanely end a patient’s suffering. For example, in cancer patients, some need chemotherapy. They not only have to endure drugs side effects but also undergo excruciating pain. In this situation, prolonging a life could become a patient’s burden. According to the New Health Guide, in Oregon, “euthanasia was legalized under the Death with Dignity (DWD) Act which was implemented in 1997.” The law allows patients with terminally ill or hopelessly ill conditions to request lethal medication. The Voluntary Euthanasia Society believes that when faced with terminal illness, pain or useless existence, everyone should be able to turn the mercy of a painless death. I believe euthanasia would be kind when permitted terminally ill people.

Reducing the spending by hospices and patient's family is the second reason that I agree euthanasia should be legal. To keep terminally ill patients alive, they have to spend a lot of money. For example, in order to help terminally ill patients reduce their suffering, sometimes medical staff has to use morphine, anesthetic, or machines to do invasive treatment. If euthanasia is legal, hospices could reduce spending of manpower, medical resources, and save beds to give to others patients. In addition, a terminally ill patient’s family can save money. In order to get treatment, a family needs to spend a lot of money for a patient to get medical help. Some of the medicines are very expensive, and it would impoverish a family. Every life deserves to live, but if the medicines can't save a person's life, it would not be a good way to spend the money. Euthanasia can solve a family's financial burden.

Lastly, people should have the right to choose to die. They should have control in deciding to die instead of having death control people For instance, Brittany Lauren Maynard, who had terminal brain cancer, decided that she would end her life. She was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2014. She thought she had the right to choose to die, but California didn’t allow euthanasia at that time. In order to choose when to die, she moved to Oregon to use Oregon’s Death with Dignity Law. This event help make euthanasia legal in California. The right to choose to die can also let terminally ill euthanasia legal in California. The right to choose to die can also let terminally ill patients choose their time to say goodbye to their families and friends. Terminally ill patients before dying are usually in a coma and unconscious. They may not have the last chance to say goodbye to their families and friends. Euthanasia offers an opportunity for them to make plans.

In conclusion, euthanasia is a big issue which is discussed around the world. However, is it possible terminally ill patients or their family regret choosing euthanasia? Is it possible legalizing euthanasia would have detrimental effects? Is it possible that euthanasia has a part in encouraging suicide? Regardless, based on the above analysis I have the following conclusions. Ending pain of terminally ill patients to make sure they die with dignity, reducing spending by hospices and the patient's family, and aiding them in have their free choice of the right to die are the three reasons that I agree euthanasia should be legal.