Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the term for opting to die under circumstances, which lead to it being a gentle and easy death. Euthanasia should be an option for the suffering patient, although certain conditions and laws should be implemented on this issue so that both for and against arguments are considered. My opinion leans toward euthanasia being legal although I can understand the critical issues in relation to this practice that cause conflict within the community.

The decision for life is entirely up to the suffering individual. Only under a qualified psychiatrist should there be any influence on an individuals ability to make that decision. Reasons behind questioning the patient s ability to make this decision should relate to their mental or physical status. The psychiatrist s choice should be in the best interests of the patient after considering their health.

In many circumstances, euthanasia should be seen as understandable and humane, especially if a patient has a life threatening disease such as cancer or Aids.

The following state the current laws for euthanasia in the Northern Territory but only recently these laws have been overturned by the Commonwealth government. These laws include;

(a) A patient had to make a request,

(b) Cooling off period,

(c) 3 independent doctors had to agree being: (1) patient s doctor, (2) psychiatrist, if not suffering from any mental disease, (3) Specialist in the area of disease suffered by the patient e.g.: oncologist (cancer specialist), neurologist (nerve specialist being able to deal with paralysis).

The laws determining the act of euthanasia must not be open to abuse, they must be precise and sensitive to the community issues but also be unbiase to the individual. If a patient is not seen to recover at any stage and, after all treatment possible, still remains incurable, then they should have the choice of euthanasia.

Euthanasia would be a blessing to the critically ill patients and their families. However, under the above conditions I still can see where much abuse could occur resulting in euthanasia being seen as inhumane. If a patient who was depressed due to a feeling of pressure from home/friends/family the individual s choice for euthanasia would not be rational because there are treatments available to help deal with depression such as regular visits to a psychiatrist or the anti-depressants available from a medical practitioner.

People must consider that euthanasia must be reasoned and not used as a temporary pain relief of something easily cured, but still what must be considered is what influence their can be on an individuals choice, example; pressure from family or feeling a burden.

For instance, if an elite athlete, virtually born for the sport he or she is in becomes paraplegic, as a result of a car accident, they may feel that they have no longer have a reason to live. They would have no more quality of life so they would choose euthanasia. It may be seen as a wrong decision, but since sport was their life the sportsperson wouldn t be able to live.

Religious beliefs may also argue against euthanasia. It could be seen as inhumane or suicide but the individual should still have the right to choose the timing and nature of their own death since they are their own person and body.

Euthanasia should definitely be an option, especially for the elderly or suffering. However, it should not be a hasty decision and the person would need to go through screening processes outlined above before making a decision.