Essay, Research Paper: The Right To Die

Euthanasia is the practice of ending a life to release an individual
from suffering an incurable disease or intolerable pain. Having to lay in
bed twenty-four hours a day is no way to live a life. People that suffer
from a serious illness should have the right to die by euthanasia. In
1991, a national telephone survey was conducted which posed the
question, “If you were terminally ill, what would you want for yourself?”
Fifty-two percent of one thousand four in the US said that they’d
consider assisted suicide or euthanasia. Among the reasons cited were
that the people wouldn’t want to burden others, live in pain, or be
dependent on machines. All Americans have the right to die because the
Constitution grants us the right to privacy and the right to pursue
happiness.
People should have the right to take their lives if they are totally
dependent on others or machines. Ones that depend on other people to
care for them only feel like a burden. Being a burden to a loved one
makes the sick feel even worse then they do already because of their
illness. People that are alive only because of machines really don’t have
a life. If they didn’t have machines, they’d be dead, so why aren’t they
allowed to die?
Americans have the rights that are in the Constitution. When
dealing with euthanasia, people have to look at what Constitutional
rights give people the right to die. Americans have the right to privacy.
Privacy to ones body is a strong reason why one should be allowed to
seek death by euthanasia.
When a person is in great pain is that happiness? As Americans,
people have the right to pursue happiness. A person’s only way to be
happy may be death, so why shouldn’t they be able to be happy. Having
the right to be happy is an American right, even if it means death.
There are those who argue that if euthanasia becomes legal it will
become abused and overused. This is a good point, however, if we
determine the use on a case by case basis this wont be a problem.
People also argue that it is against religion. People believe, “Only God
can give life and only God should take it away.” But I ask, “Why would
God prolong such pain and suffering?” Jesus Christ suffered and died
on a cross, would he want to see his people go through suffering like he
had to?
So should one have the right to die? I feel a person is entitled to
that choice. The word ‘euthanasia’ come from the Greek--eu, meaning
good, and thanatos, meaning death. So the word euthanasia means
“good death” by it’s origins. Euthanasia is a way of putting an end to a
person’s life in which they are suffering or totally dependent on others or
machines. Having the right to die, should become legal so many
suffering people can end their pain legally. Sometimes euthanasia serves
the interest of everyone concerned and is the best choice for the
terminally ill person. It relieves the person of unbearable pain and
provides a merciful and dignified end to their life. It also relieves the
terrible emotional strain on family and friends of the loved one. No one is
suggesting the value of life be taken lightly. However, the only case
worse than a terminally ill patient requesting euthanasia, is the doctor
refusing it, thereby, sentencing the patient to a drawn out and painful
existence for the remainder of their life.