Arguments Against Euthanasia

There are many reasons in which euthanasia should not be legalized. (1)The act of this "right to die" is against the word and will of God because the right to decide belongs to God as every human being is the creation of God. To kill oneself or by others actually denies God's control over our lives. No one can clearly prove and ascertain that God exist. There is no evidence of the truth of God and the meaning of God's beliefs on life. (2)Many religious beliefs and culture are also against killings. Religious people also believe that suffering brings value to people as arranged by God. Non religious people also believe in this value as they feel that this will present a chance for them to mould themselves. Murder and killing are done against the victim's will, but in this case, this is consented by the patient. Nobody can guarantee that suffering brings value to people. Each and individual view and react suffering and react to it differently and, they might end up more demoralized and pessimistic after suffering. (3)Euthanasia weakens society's respect for the sanctity for life. Everyone's life is valuable and we should respect our own worth with the continuation of life despite sufferings. Death does not necessary mean that the patient does not respect his/her own life. The society should respect the control of people over their own life. It can be seen as a relief to their suffering and go on to the next phrase of life. (4) If it is legalize, certain section of people like the elderly, poor, handicapped, minorities or dependent would feel that they did not do anything to contribute to the society and thus downgrade their status as human beings while they are alive. For those that are sick, they might be pressured to ask for euthanasia as they feel that they are a burden to their loved ones. With support from family and the society, they will not feel downgraded as a human being nor will they feel pressurized to ask for euthanasia in order to lift the burden off their family members. Furthermore, they can still contribute to the society in one way or another. Besides, legalizing euthanasia may not necessarily bring forth these feelings to them; we can have campaigns and programmes to prevent this idea from forming in them. (5)Euthanasia may not be in the best interests of the patient as there is always a chance that the doctors may misdiagnosis the patient's condition that is actually not terminally ill. And this might lead to a decision of death by euthanasia wrongfully. Eg. Nancy Crick, Australia who claimed that she had suffered from cancer and was assisted to die. Moreover, even if the patient is terminally ill, there is always a chance that miracles might happen and we should never give up on hope. Anything in this world is possible, including the chance of misdiagnose. But (Although) the chance of this happening is very remote and we should consider about the rest of the patient who wishes to be put out of their misery. (6) Patients might opt for euthanasia due to shock and/or depression after learning of their medical condition as they might believe that things are much worse than they really are. Psychological factors must be considered here as they might not be rationale at that moment to make sensible judgements. Doctors, when considering the patients' request for euthanasia, should be of (have/possess) professional skills to assess whether the patients are under the influence of depression or mental distressed. (7)Although euthanasia directly affects the lives of the patients, we should also consider the rights of others such as family and friends, integrity of medical profession and society in general. Involuntary active euthanasia also engages loved ones in such decisions that they might live to suffer and regret for the rest of their lives. Leaving good memories for loved ones rather than suffering end days seen by them. (8)The availability of palliative care, which is physical, emotional and spiritual care for a dying person when cure is not possible, may be reduced due to the legalization of euthanasia. We should not based on personal beliefs and remote cases to prevent others the chance of choosing the rights to their own life. (9)Abuse of euthanasia after legalizing