What are the views on voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 1

As a person who has witnessed pain and suffering, I personally support voluntary euthanasia. I would like to have the security and peace of mind of knowing that when I am in pain or terminally ill, I may have the right to end my own life with dignity and at peace, instead of dying in a hospital bed, in pain, relying on others for everything. Despite my strong views on this matter I will try my best to write this in an unbiased manner. Voluntary euthanasia is when a person decides that they are ready to die and that they will kill themselves, but in my opinion it is different to suicide. Voluntary euthanasia is usually used to refer to somebody who is terminally ill and suffering, where no treatment or effective pain relief is available and they would rather end their lives. Some people who are depressed refer to their suicide as 'voluntary euthanasia' but in my opinion this is not the same. There isn't much 'middle ground' on voluntary euthanasia. Most people either support it or don't. It is a highly controversial topic and is legal in some places but illegal across most of the world. Mostly, voluntary euthanasia is done by taking drugs - generally barbiturates (Nembutal/sodium pentothol). These drugs are extremely hard to get hold of - but they can be prescribed. For this reason, voluntary euthanasia is also known as Doctor-Assisted Suicide or DAS. I will use this abbreviation for the sake of spending less time typing. This may not be strictly accurate as sometimes patients manage to get hold of suitable drugs and carry out the suicide themselves without help from a medical professional. DAS is especially controversial because some older patients may have some degree of dementia or have their mental capacity affected by an illness. Then it degenerates into an argument over who has the right to decide when somebody will die. The doctor? The family? The friends? The patient who may not have full control of their mind? Should people who may benefit from the will have no say? Should this be a theological question - only God may decide when to end a life? Most opposition to euthanasia comes from extreme right-to-life groups. They are generally, but not exclusively, religious, especially fundamental Christian and most also oppose abortion. Their grounds for resisting are generally that only God may bestow life and only God may decide when a life is ready to end. The majority of Australians - over 80% - support voluntary euthanasia. There are some valid reasons why it must be carefully controlled if it is legalised, because there are many ways that it could be abused. However, the image of a person dying alone and in pain is not a pleasant one. I believe that it is better that people can make this decision themselves when they feel it is time.

Answer 2

As a strong Catholic Christian I believe euthanasia is completely unacceptable. Only god has the write to choose when you die not yourself or a doctor or the next of kin.

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Islam teachings do not allow practicing euthanasia. It is a sinful act.

Answer 3

Well My opinion on it ahs different Points of veiw. If your referring it towards an animal then I can aggree. If your animal is very sick and is suffering and the vets cant do anything about it then I think It is a good Idea. But I don't agree when it is used to get rid of unwanted animals! I mean... Animals deserve a life and If u euthanize them just because you cant keep them it isn't really fair to them is it? See My point?

Answer 4

When nothing else works and someone wants to end their life with dignity, when there are no more painkillers that work and they are looking at a slow painful agonizing death...it is def helpful. One have to remember that it only takes place with the patients approval. And dealing with death is also a part of a doctors job.

Answer 5

Voluntary euthanasia refers to the practice of ending a life in a painless manner. Voluntary euthanasia (VE) and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) have been the focus of great controversy in recent years.