Opposition to Euthanasia

Paper Summary:

Euthanasia or "mercy killing" is a life and death issue. Recent advances in medical sciences that have conquered many previously incurable diseases and greatly extended human life spans, make the issue more relevant today than ever before. As a result, euthanasia continues to evoke heated debate among doctors, philosophers, academicians, lawyers and the general public, with well meaning people taking committed positions both for and against the issue. The paper shows that proponents of "mercy killing" look at the issue as a compassionate act and advance a number of seemingly valid arguments in support of euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. Opponents of euthanasia, on the other hand, advance equally compelling arguments against taking of lives, irrespective of the justification. The author of this paper, despite sympathizing with some pro-arguments, is firmly against the practice of euthanasia for a number of medical, religious, ethical and moral reasons. Besides presenting these arguments in the essay, the paper examines some of the major arguments in favor of euthanasia and shows why they are misplaced.

Paper Outline:
Abstract
Some Relevant Definitions
Types of Euthanasia
Arguments for Euthanasia and their Rebuttal
Further Arguments Against Euthanasia
Possible Abuses of Legalized Euthanasia
References

From the Paper:

"Even when it is not possible to eliminate pain entirely, lessening it to a manageable level is almost always possible. In the present day and age, if a person's pain cannot be relieved sufficiently, it is almost certainly due to inappropriate treatment due to inadequate access to the required medical facilities and/or inadequately trained doctors in palliative care. The problem, therefore, that needs to be tackled is the lack of proper pain management training for doctors and access to adequate medical coverage for everyone, rather than access to legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide. (Foley, 1997)."

More papers on Opposition to Euthanasia:

• Argumentative Essay # 64564 : "Euthanasia"
• Persuasive Essay # 37089 : "Euthanasia in America"
• Argumentative Essay # 6970 : "Arguments in Opposition to the Death Penalty"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: