The Legalization of Euthanansia (Essay Sample)

Legalization of Euthanasia
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Legalization of Euthanasia
Euthanasia is an act of mercy performed by qualified physicians to end a person’s life upon their request. Legalizing euthanasia is a controversial topic that raises strong ethical concerns and deep divisions in society. Astonishingly, the debate seems to rotate endlessly without reasonable prospect of consensus because both the proponents and opponents are unwilling to yield. Euthanasia should be legalized because it is the most merciful option to a suffering soul to grant them an accelerated and peaceful passage to the afterlife.
Legalizing euthanasia should be done lawfully to avoid abuse and misuse. Some states that have legalized euthanasia require that an individual seeking euthanasia be an adult with “serious and incurable” illness and unbearable suffering.1 Other states require the terminally-ill patient to have a prognosis of six months or less and a physician’s consent. The physicians must recognize that palliative care is not feasible for such patients, and euthanasia is the last resort in the absence of other treatment options. Hence, the law can provide guidelines to protect the weak, the poor, and the underage.
Legalizing euthanasia allows terminally-ill persons a chance to exercise their constitutional right of autonomy. Autonomy gives an individual the right to self-determination to optimize their self-interests. Like in other realms of life where people pursue their ambitions and life plans without constraints, autonomy sh