It has come to my attention that while Abortion is a heavily debated topic here on tengaged, there is little on Euthanasia. Since I like to be controversial every once and a while, here's a little something about that topic.
Euthanasia is an emotionally charged topic for almost anybody. Advocates for euthanasia claim that it is a great option because it offers the patient freedom of choice on when and where they will die. Pro-life advocates counter this by offering palliative care as a viable alternative. Many terminally ill patients suffer from depression, and have no desire to continue living. While pro-euthanasia supporters claim this is a valid reason for euthanasia, those against euthanasia state that depression is a treatable disease. Those in favor of euthanasia argue that it can be controlled by laws and regulations, while anti-euthanasia activists fear that it may be a slippery slope. With such a heavily debated topic, how do we know where to stand?
What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘euthanasia’? For many of us the word triggers the image of a physician giving the patient a needle containing a deadly drug that terminates the patient’s life quickly and effectively. However this is not always an accurate representation. Euthanasia comes in many different forms, such as passive, active, voluntary, and involuntary euthanasia. Passive euthanasia is the withholding of respirators and other life-sustaining equipment, procedures, or treatment, and is not typically objected to by law or most religions. Active euthanasia is intentionally causing the death of another person through specific actions. Voluntary euthanasia occurs when an individual has chosen and requested for his or her life to be ended. Non-voluntary euthanasia occurs when it has not been requested or consented to. A fifth type of euthanasia is known as ‘euthanasia by omission’, which is the intentional causation of death by not providing shelter, food, or water, all of which an individual needs to survive.
Those who support euthanasia often base their opinions on the belief that everyone has the right to decide how and when they should die. It has long been accepted among those who own animals as standard procedure to “put down” an animal that is dying or has little chance of recovery. Many in favor of euthanasia suggest that, like animals, humans deserve this same right. It is not right, they say, to force a person to continue living if they suffer from constant pain and sickness. Those who support euthanasia claim that it will not only shorten the suffering of the terminally ill patient, but that it also helps to shorten the grief and suffering of the patient’s loved ones.
Those against euthanasia agree that it is inhumane to let terminally patients suffer pain for long periods time, so they agree that discontinuing medical procedures can be legitimate, because here one does not will to cause death, but accepts one’s inability to impede it. They have no problem with administering painkillers to alleviate the suffering of the dying even at the risk of shortening the patient’s life. That is the reason why many pro-life activists support palliative care as a viable alternative. Palliative care is specialized care focused on the pain, symptoms and stress of serious illness. It is not healthcare aimed at preserving life, but allowing the patient the best life possible during the time they have left.
Depression and euthanasia often go hand in hand. Debilitating and terminal illnesses do often cause depression. In fact, this is now not only common but expected. It is those suffering from depression who are more likely to request euthanasia. Yet depression is a treatable illness, not a permanent one. While understandably no amount of depression medication and therapy will magically change the patient’s circumstances, it remains a fact that depression medication is becoming stronger and more effective.
If euthanasia is ever to become a viable option, it is an undisputable fact that it must be accompanied by many laws and regulations. To prevent abuse of this system, the decision to administer euthanasia cannot be made without the consent of the patient or members of the medical community. Although this may sound good in theory, this often does not work out in reality. Cases have been recorded that, in times when a second opinion is needed, the physician who will perform the act of euthanasia will often approach a colleague whom he is aware shares his own views on the procedure.
All those, who believe that euthanasia can be controlled by laws and legislation, need do is look at the country of Holland. Now at the forefront of the euthanasia movement, Holland began its descent down the slippery slope in 1984 when the decision was made to stop prosecuting doctors who committed euthanasia out of compassion for the terminally ill. Eleven years later, in 1995, assisted suicide was approved by the Dutch Supreme Court for those who were depressed. This was soon followed in 1997 when Holland began euthanizing disabled infants. The year 2000 saw the authorization of euthanasia for children under the age of twelve. Government studies show that on average five hundred fifty terminations are completed each year without consent or request. Approximately forty-seven percent of terminations are left unrecorded. An astounding number of three thousand, six hundred and ninety-five deaths from euthanasia were recorded in 2011 in Holland, and that number has steadily climbed since then.
As a case in point, the winter 2014 issue of the “Oxford Right to Life” newsletter tells the story of a right to life worker who had recently traveled to Holland to visit relatives. They had visited an aunt’s house for dinner, during which time her husband had happened to ask where her uncle was. “Well,” said her aunt, “He decided it was time to go.” Confused, the husband inquired as to what she meant, upon which the aunt replied that on Christmas Day her husband had gone to Mass and said good-bye to all his friends. Soon after returning home, the doctor arrived and gave him a needle, after which he passed away.” This is a shocking example of how far down the slippery slope Holland has slid already since 1984.
The word “euthanasia “comes from two Greek words: “eu” meaning “good”, and “thanatos” meaning “death”. Euthanasia literally means ‘good death’. Yet is a death of euthanasia truly a ‘good death’? Is a death by euthanasia dignified or is death in a palliative care surrounding a better option? Is depression a legitimate reason for euthanasia? Would laws and regulations really control usage adequately enough to forbid abuse? We know where the Bible stands; we know where many in society stand; now we must decide where we stand. The Hippocratic Oath, an oath defining the obligations and proper conduct of those in medicine, states “I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked, nor suggest any such counsel”. A physician’s job is to care for and heal patients, should murder be added to the job description?
Oh wait, you haven't met me yet. My name's Cornelia and I'm one of the hords of teenage girls who spend most of their lives on the internet. Eeek - I'm reading that last stentance over and it makes me sound extremly lame. That's probetly because I am. At least I admit it ?
Ok, so I'm not being overly productive here. I've writen those previous few sentences about three or four times already trying to figure out what to say, but I keep on changing it. All. The. Flippin. Time. I'm starting to get a bit mad at myself to say the least.
So me obsessing over just the right word aside, I'd better tell you a little about myself if we're to be friends. I am 16 years old and very, very bad at commiting myself to anything. Much as I'd like to think differently, I'm probetly going to procrastinate writing another blog post and this will be the one and only time you'll ever hear from me.
I come from a moderatly large family. There's me, my mom, my dad, my brother, my other brother, my sister, and my other brother ! Yup, that's 3 boys and 2 girls in our family so far. For all of you who can't imagine coming from a family of more than 1 or 2, let me tell you about a family I stayed with in New Brunswick. They have 12 kids. No, you didn't read that wrong. Twelve. Six boys and Six girls last time I checked. Plus they homeschool all of them. Their mom was one busy lady !
My mom doesn't homeschool 12 kids, but she does homeschool 4 of us ! The 5th and cutest one just turned two at the end of January, so he isn't forced to learn his multiplication tables yet. Instead he gets to just sit around and play all day in his own personal playpen. Totally jealous !
So another fact about me, I work as a page at the local library. I love the fact I get to interact with so many different people and do so many different things. Translated : I like parts of my job but it can suck at times. Also, if you need a book - ask me for a recomendation.
That reminds me, I have a book to finish. And an essay. Eeek, high school is not fun !
Oh well, I'm gonna run. It's been nice talking to you rambling on and on about my life. If anybody has acually read this all the way through till the end, introduce yourself and tell me something not to many people know about you. I'll start. One thing not to many people know about me is that I have Attention Deficit Disorder ( ADD ) - but I'll write more about that in a later blog post. If I ever get around to doing it that is.
Hello Random People of the Internet !!!!
Hello Random People of the Internet ! 
