Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should euthanasia be legal?
Position‹2 of 2

No, euthanasia should be illegal

This position holds that euthanasia should remain illegal. It argues that there is no sound ethical or medical justification for it — that suffering can be eased with painkillers, that legalisation invites abuse and a slippery slope, and that it violates the sanctity of human life.

Supporting arguments · 5

  1. 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.
  2. Doctors' judgement isn't perfect
    Legalizing euthanasia could prevent some patients from possible, even if unlikely, recovery.
  3. Legal euthanasia could be easily abused
    Proponents of legalizing euthanasia cannot guarantee that the practice wouldn't be abused.
  4. Doctors should use anesthetics to alleviate suffering
    Doctor first and foremost should administer anesthetics to patient’s system to alleviate his suffering, instead of an outright euthanasia.
  5. Slippery slope argument
    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 .