Exemplification Essay Euthanasia Should Be Legalized

Jack has just been in a serious car accident. He is suffering from brain damage and paralysis. His family does not want him to live the rest of his life this way, but do they have a choice in ending the pain and suffering of their loved one? According to most state governments and countries, the answer is no; however, there is method allowed in some states to stop the pain and suffering for both the patient and his family. This method is called euthanasia. Euthanasia is the deliberate, painless killing of persons who suffer from a physically or emotionally painful or incurable disease or condition. Euthanasia is illegal in most countries and few doctors practice it, but it is a decision that seriously ill or injured people and their†¦show more content†¦Living wills allow a person to say that they do not want to be kept alive through extraordinary medical measures (Moreover). This is where euthanasia comes into play. If euthanasia is allowed, then the person’s wish would be granted and they would not have to spend the rest of their life suffering. â€Å"Another concept increasingly deployed by advocates of euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide is that the terminally ill have a ‘right to die’-that is, not only a right to refuse treatment, but a right to obtain help in committing suicide† (Moreover). In the article â€Å"Killing With Kindness†, Caroline Daniel states that two academics from Glasgow University’s Institute of Law and Ethics in medicine believe that keeping a person alive who wants to die is not only an infringement of their rights, but arguably an irresponsible use of resources (Daniel). They are saying that the terminally ill cannot be denied the right of euthanasia. A person should have the right to decide his/her own fate, and if the patient and their family both state that they want euthanasia to be performed, then they cannot be denied that right. There is also some concern that denying someone the right of euthanasia is putting a strain on available resources. Many countries are unable to build decent hospitals, and it is even harder for some countries to attract quality medical personnel. This lack of resources makes the choice of