Even though there are some benefits to euthanasia, there are several arguments against it.
1. Requires assistance of another individual
The intent of active euthanasia is different because the direct killing causes the death of a person. The whole process is not a private matter either. In addition, an individual who is supposed to deliver the treatment might be put in a moral conflict because their own beliefs could contradict the patient's wishes. Even if someone is self determined to die, there is no right to force an individual to carry out the act. This also goes against health care workers' Hippocratic Oath, to help not harm.
2. Hypocritical to Society
In the United States, there is a heavy emphasis on the Core Democratic Values. One of these is the Common Good. Everyone should work together to help benefit the community. Euthanasia counters this because society "wants" what is best, but euthanasia pertains to indivdual wants. The public good outweighs private interests. Euthanasia allows people to devalue human life.
If it Continues...
1. Involuntary
Euthanasia is increasing rapidly with many people wanting the freedom to end their own life. If this trend continues, many feel that it will eventually become involuntary where the treatment will be delivered without consent.
2. Pressure
Terminally ill patients often feel like a burden to their families. Feelings of anxiety, anger, and sadness build while they are being taken care of. These feelings can be easily manipulated by others. Patients may feel that dying early is best because it spares emotional and financial hardships to their family. Also, doctors are not perfect human beings and could make mistakes by recommending euthanasia. Having a medical professionals opinion might persuade a patient to choose euthanasia over other treatment options.
3. Medical Cases
In medicine there are always medical mysteries that are difficult to solve. Euthanasia is becoming a way to solve these cases. If a medical professional were unable to figure out a diagnosis they might recommend euthanasia as a solution.
4. Suicide
Euthanasia could lead to a sucide contagion. If it becomes legal in more states and countries, many fear that people will abuse its original cause. In life there are events that traumatize us. Euthanasia could become a way to "get rid of" those possilbe feelings of guilt, shame, sadness, anger, etc. It is a very dangerous thing that could form.
5. Fears
Many hospitals and insurance companies fear that taking care of the terminally ill will cost too much. These instituitions support euthanasia because it will cut costs so money can be put towards other things. Also, euthanasia could be delivered too early and a medical miracle could be missed. No one knows what the future holds, so a patient could've recovered from their disease.
Failures
The following lists side effects of euthanasia patients in Oregon and the Netherlands.
-overdose of barbituates used on patients
-Vomiting; patients inhaling vomit while they are losing consciousness
- Extreme gasping and muscle spasms
- Panic, feelings of terror from the drugs, induced confusion
Important Figure
Richard Fenigsen, MD, PhD
He believes euthanasia causes major psychological suffering because of the agony over waiting to die.
1. Requires assistance of another individual
The intent of active euthanasia is different because the direct killing causes the death of a person. The whole process is not a private matter either. In addition, an individual who is supposed to deliver the treatment might be put in a moral conflict because their own beliefs could contradict the patient's wishes. Even if someone is self determined to die, there is no right to force an individual to carry out the act. This also goes against health care workers' Hippocratic Oath, to help not harm.
2. Hypocritical to Society
In the United States, there is a heavy emphasis on the Core Democratic Values. One of these is the Common Good. Everyone should work together to help benefit the community. Euthanasia counters this because society "wants" what is best, but euthanasia pertains to indivdual wants. The public good outweighs private interests. Euthanasia allows people to devalue human life.
If it Continues...
1. Involuntary
Euthanasia is increasing rapidly with many people wanting the freedom to end their own life. If this trend continues, many feel that it will eventually become involuntary where the treatment will be delivered without consent.
2. Pressure
Terminally ill patients often feel like a burden to their families. Feelings of anxiety, anger, and sadness build while they are being taken care of. These feelings can be easily manipulated by others. Patients may feel that dying early is best because it spares emotional and financial hardships to their family. Also, doctors are not perfect human beings and could make mistakes by recommending euthanasia. Having a medical professionals opinion might persuade a patient to choose euthanasia over other treatment options.
3. Medical Cases
In medicine there are always medical mysteries that are difficult to solve. Euthanasia is becoming a way to solve these cases. If a medical professional were unable to figure out a diagnosis they might recommend euthanasia as a solution.
4. Suicide
Euthanasia could lead to a sucide contagion. If it becomes legal in more states and countries, many fear that people will abuse its original cause. In life there are events that traumatize us. Euthanasia could become a way to "get rid of" those possilbe feelings of guilt, shame, sadness, anger, etc. It is a very dangerous thing that could form.
5. Fears
Many hospitals and insurance companies fear that taking care of the terminally ill will cost too much. These instituitions support euthanasia because it will cut costs so money can be put towards other things. Also, euthanasia could be delivered too early and a medical miracle could be missed. No one knows what the future holds, so a patient could've recovered from their disease.
Failures
The following lists side effects of euthanasia patients in Oregon and the Netherlands.
-overdose of barbituates used on patients
-Vomiting; patients inhaling vomit while they are losing consciousness
- Extreme gasping and muscle spasms
- Panic, feelings of terror from the drugs, induced confusion
Important Figure
Richard Fenigsen, MD, PhD
He believes euthanasia causes major psychological suffering because of the agony over waiting to die.