Euthanasia

For decades, the issue of whether euthanasia should be legalized has long been debated. People who approve of the legalization of euthanasia say that euthanasia can not only reduce patients’ pain and suffering but also economize the use of medical resources. However, as far as I am concerned, I do not assent to euthanasia. There are three reasons why I stand for this position.

▲April Bride

First of all, neglecting patients’ free will and presuming to euthanize patients is incorrect. Take brain dead patients for instance, they cannot express themselves clearly, so we do not know what are their thoughts toward euthanasia. Besides, there are many cases that people in a vegetative state resume consciousness. So, neither the doctor nor the patients’ families have the power to make such a fateful decision for patients.

Frustrating patients’ desire of living is the second point. We should respect patients’ right to subsistence. Even though we ask patients’ opinion beforehand and they say no; nevertheless, they will feel fearful and doubt that doctors and their families are going to abandon them. In Japan, the faction “April Bride” is well-known. The heroine who had breast cancer did not give up her life, persevering in living a meaningful life. She had a strong will to live.

Last but not least, it is hard to define if euthanasia is another form of killing people or committing suicide. Could it be said that euthanasia is not a crime? In my opinion, the truth is doctors commit homicide by executing euthanasia while patients commit suicide by demanding euthanasia. Since euthanasia is still illegal in Taiwan , it will trigger a series of lawsuits if someone starts to advocate legitimization of euthanasia.

In sum, it is inhumane to give permission to euthanasia. Life is precious; none of us can randomly terminate it.