Why Euthanisation Should Be Legalized : An Opinion Piece

Dying with Dignity: The Ethics of Euthanisation

-Adrija Banerjee

The word euthanasia, coming from the Greek words eu meaning well and thanatos meaning death, refers to the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy, aka, mercy killing.

The argument over euthanasia has recently taken center stage in discussions about human autonomy, medical ethics, and the fundamental right to make decisions about one's own life and death. Euthanasia, often known as medically assisted suicide, has aroused a great deal of controversy, with several countries and states debating whether it should be legalized. In this opinion piece, I argue in favor of legalizing euthanisation, asserting my belief that legalizing euthanasia is a matter of personal autonomy, compassion, and respect for human dignity. 

The idea of individual autonomy is central to the argument over euthanasia. Our lives are filled with several choices, the most fundamental of which is the right to choose when and how we choose to end our own suffering and life. Every person should have the right to make this deeply personal decision, most especially if they are in excruciating pain or suffering from an incurable illness.

Individuals who are of sound mind and suffering from unbearable pain as a result of a terminal illness should be allowed to choose how they want to terminate their life, and taking away their autonomy is a violation of their most basic rights. Legalizing euthanasia means that people can exercise their autonomy over this critical part of their life while adhering to established legal guidelines. 

Another persuasive case for legalizing euthanasia is the inherent compassion it provides to individuals in pain. For terminally ill patients in excruciating pain, the option of medically assisted suicide is a compassionate and humanitarian approach to end their suffering. Allowing euthanasia is an acknowledgment of our shared humanity, underlining that we should not subject people to unnecessary pain when they are already nearing the end of their life.

Medical personnel who are trained to relieve pain and provide comfort should be allowed to perform this final act of love and compassion for their patients when it is ethically and legally permissible. This must be accomplished by following precise legal criteria to guarantee that the procedure is carried out responsibly and with the highest care.

As of 2023, while many countries are strictly against it, physician-assisted suicide is legal in some countries, under certain circumstances, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, parts of the United States (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and Washington DC) and Australia (New South Wales, Queensland,  South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia). The Constitutional Courts of Colombia, Germany, and Italy legalized assisted suicide, but their governments have not legislated or regulated the practice yet. (source: Wikipedia)

The legalization of euthanasia is a logical step forward in a society that promotes personal autonomy, compassion, and respect for human dignity. It empowers people to make deeply personal decisions about their own lives, alleviates excruciating suffering, and demonstrates our commitment to individual dignity.