Euthanasia: The Right to Die ?

Here is a story: Kelly Taylor, a Briton is a frail, sickly woman. Suffering from the heart and lung condition of Eisenmenger's syndrome, she lives in constant, torturous pain, and is confined to her wheelchair for what seems like an eternity, for the rest of her life.

Everyday, life is a living hell for Kelly. Thankfully, her remaining days are numbered, according to her doctors. Slated with less than a year to live, Kelly laments that even that is far too long for her.

She wants to be sedated and induced into a coma via morphine, at which point her "living will" will come into effect: There will be no intravenous feeding for her.

Her request for assisted-suicide has sparked a debate in England over the issue of euthanasia, which is illegal in Britain.

As legal proceedings continue, the controversies surrounding euthanasia and the social stigma that is associated with it is once again highlighted, along with Terri Schiavo's 2004 case.

Euthanasia: An Act Of Sacrilege?

Assisted suicide, or euthanasia, is often bantered about as a form of immoral act, especially by members of the religious right.

Chief amongst the opponents are leading members of the Vatican, including the previous (now deceased) Pope John Paul II, and current reining Pope Benedict XVI.

Such opponents argue that life is a gift from God, and that any attempts to cut short or terminate it is sacrilegious, for only God has the power to decide the destiny of man.

Euthanasia: A Question of Ethics

Other concerns with regards to Euthanasia may be a question of ethics: What, then, is the role of a doctor? To provide treatment for patients, and perhaps, act as an advocate of death for terminally ill patients? How does one prevent the abuse of assisted suicide, if and when it should become legal?

Such arguments run deep into the conscience of each and every individual: After all, death is a reality, and some day, each and everyone of us will face the inevitable end.

Euthanasia

The truth is, there are probably no straight answers, although, if one is to see the issue from Kelly's side of the fence, one would be able to perhaps peek into the legitimate issues behind the need for euthanasia.

By mere instincts, no sane person, under ordinary circumstances, would wish to be put to death. However, under the duress of constant pain and suffering, one must take into account the value of life at face value, but also the quality of life itself.

A terminally-ill patient, such as Kelly, would definitely want to put an end to her misery, and indeed, if this is her final wish, then no one, not even the doctors, should prevent her from fulfilling it, given the circumstances and pain she is suffering.

To bring in divine reasons to argue a perfectly mortal problem seems a little out of point: After all, if God did not intend for Kelly to request for euthanasia, wouldn't it be to God's advantage to simply leave her pain free?

It is true that each and every life is precious, but there may come a time that life, in itself, is a torture that no sane man should be forced to go through. That death, in the end, may be the final and most viable option available.