What are the moral issues of euthanasia?

Answer 1

OpinionNo one can claim to truly know whether, or in what circumstances, euthanasia is moral. So, while it is possible to try to answer this question by discussing the moral issues, it is not easy to say whether euthenasia is ever morally supportable. Of course, euthanasia should be differentiated from simple removal of life support from a patient who has already effectively succumbed.

The Churches, on good grounds, oppose euthanasia in all circumstances. We all regard life as sacred, whether in the religious or a secular sense. The Church position also helps guard against terminating an elderly person's life out of greed or other improper motives.

Others believe that euthanasia is not only permissible but proper, providing it is voluntary, based on full information, and is restricted to those suffering serious pain and close to death. Like that of the Churches, this view is also understandable and defensible.

What few would support, is assisted suicide for reasons other than to end great suffering of the terminally ill.

OpinionI suggest that is a matter of (moral) fact. (There are people who (explicitly or implicitly) believe that moral truth does not exist… but they usually object if you try to kill them.)

Conversely, some situations can constitute ethical dilemmas; that is, there are moral and ethical reasons pointing in opposing directions, because of elements in those situations. (For example, (glossing over the difficulties) euthanasia is done (or not) where there is a moral conflict between • death and • pain plus absence of proper life.)

Even where there is an ethical dilemma, I suggest that this can still be described and quantified. (Of course, it is possible to have an ethical dilemma wherein the result is 50:50.)

Conversely again, it is reasonable to note moral principles that are part of the ethical dilemma of euthanasia, and analyse how much moral weight they have.

I should mention, while I'm here, that it has been accepted medical practice, for many centuries, to not intervene to uselessly prolong the life of someone who was dying. The point is that the current term "euthanasia" is often used in a way that ignores this distinction.

Answer 2

yes

Edit: This is a very controversial question. There is no absolute answer/factual conclusion that isn't based on opinion. It isn't so black and white. I personally believe euthanasia is moral. There are many arguments, pro and con, for euthanasia. Keep in mind that the purpose of euthanasia is to end someone's suffering.

Pros:

-End's suffering

-Saves money

-A person has a right to live

-Physician assisted SUICIDE, not homicide

Cons:

-Some people consider that there life has no value

-It is homicide

-Forms of euthanasia can be painful

-Euthanasia in itself can take days to complete

-Euthanasia is resorted to because of the doctor's incompetence to find a cure

I'd like to clear some of the faulty reasoning that often floats around the topic of euthanasia. First of all, it is not in any way a form of homicide. The definition of euthanasia is that it is physician assisted suicide, not homicide. Secondly, a person has the right to die just as much as they have the right to live. Should someone decide to kill themself, that is their ultimate choice. People also claim that the circumstances under which euthanasia is performed are painful. Though I do not know if there is truth to this or not, I am positive that the suffering patients go through without euthanasia is far worse than the suffering they experience with it. Additionally, when euthanasia is resorted to, it does not take days and days to set in. If certain chemicals/poisons/body relaxers are inserted into the body, it takes around 15 minutes. Euthanasia is also not a way of telling a person they have no value of life. Euthanasia is resorted to only when the person's value of life has been depleted greatly. Another argument against euthanasia is that it is resorted to as a result of the doctor's incompetence to find a cure. This somewhat implies that euthanasia is resorted to pretty frequently. Euthanasia is only resorted to when a person has no other options that will make their suffering any less horrible. Luckil though, here are many more cures and medications now that help to relieve suffering and pain, so euthanasia is resorted to much less. On that note, euthanasia is NOT resorted to so easily, either. There are certain conditions under which euthanasia is allowed to happen such as: the person must be considered terminally ill, they must have 6 months or left to live, etc. Although euthanasia is considered "illegal", it is legal in the state of Oregon. The state of Oregon has a "Death with Dignity" act which permits euthanasia under certain conditions. All in all, I feel euthanasia helps more than hurts. Doctors also do not PUSH the subject of euthanasia on their patients, they merely give them an option if the required conditions exist.