Ethical aspects of euthanasia (Greek for "good death"), a physician-assisted suicide of a patient with a goal of ending the suffering from a terminal or incurable illness, were debated since the times of Hippocrates. Since then, although modern medicine made a great deal of progress, euthanasia and its validity as a medical practice still leads to controversies. Should a patient in great suffering be able to end his life with the help of a doctor?
Yes, euthanasia should be legal
Euthanasia should be legal and available for suffering patients with no hope of recovery.
Euthanasia is a human right
Self-determination is a human right; patients have a right to a quick and painless suicide assisted by a doctor.
The difference between 'active' and 'passive' euthanasia
There is no meaningful distinction between active euthanasia and the withdrawal of life-sustaining medical interventions assisted by anesthetics. The end result is essentially the same.
Many patients wish for legal euthanasia because of their reliance on third parties and humiliating conditions they're forced to live in for the remainder of their life. Denying them that right infringes on the dignity of human being.
There is no ethical or medical justification for legalizing euthanasia.
Euthanasia violates and devalues the sanctity of human life
Human life is sacred and every being’s right to life shall be preserved regardless of quality or condition. Almost all major religions advocate this principle and any attempt to undermine this notion will have grave consequences on our own perception of human life.
Legalizing voluntary euthanasia would lead to a creeping acceptance of non-voluntary euthanasia in cases where a patient cannot make a request for the termination of their life .
