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Siddhartha Triptahi

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Should Euthanasia be legalized in every Country?

Euthanasia(or Mercy Killing) refers to ending one's life in a manner which relieves pain and sufferings. But if a person is in a vegetative state from past many years, then who will decide whether the person is in a great pain and deserves to die with dignity ..
If the person himself is aware of his/her surroundings and appeal for euthanasia, this is entirely a different matter as compared with the situation in which someone else(friend/relative) file the petition for euthanasia.
Keeping both things in mind, and considering all the possibilities, what can we say, "Should Euthanasia Be legalized in every country ?"

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    Debra Smith 200+

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    Mar 12 2011: I think that humanely dealing with the end of life in accordance with the wishes of the dying person should be accomodated in the law, however, my great fear is that whenever there is an abundance of anything that item has very little value. My big fear is that in many countries, unlike India, there will be an abundance of elderly people and the talk has already begun about their cost to the systems. I fear that the elderly will be pressured by families or by governments to give up their lives to 'save useless spending.' Sick or depressed individuals who are in pain are easily manipulated and made to feel guilty.

    • Briannin Gross

      • +2
      Mar 12 2011: Yes I also thought of this possibility. That is why I included that we need to understand every culture. Most likely India is not the only nation that could go in this direction. That is why we need to ease this in as smartly, respectfully, and as carefully as possible.

      In this particular instance it could create the possibility of a much stricter euthanasia law for India, which in itself could defeat the purpose of euthanasia by denying those who really need it.

      • Mark Meijer 100+

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        Mar 13 2011: This shows the inadequacy of legal systems for becoming rote rule by which such important decisions are made blindly.

        I totally agree with you both, btw.
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        Vivienne Eggers

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        Mar 13 2011: I agree with Debra that your fear has legitimate grounds based in current society - and not purely your culture. I recently had an episode and collapsed overseas with a life threatening condition. Although legally entitled to receive support - my Australian government did the opposite - I assume because I already have a slow degrading illness (which could retain quality life for many years though) the department responsible refused to help me get hospital treatment. Instead left me stranded without means and told me to beg from strangers. This kind of low level accountability has nothing to do with the constitution. I was lucky that my university saved my life and sent me the money for medical treatment. The woman 'in control' had doctors and specialist referrals to hospital as evidence but didn't care. She just took exception to me anyway and then I assumed from the attitude that because I was already a disabled student my life was no value and they refused to help. In fact, I still remain overseas because of this - as no human rights agency intervened. Fortunately I now have family members, friends as well as the university who have assisted me. But my legal right was to be supported - and I wasn't. She was quite aware that the consequence of doing that could mean death.

        Its not just culture - its systemic accountability and people's attitudes to others they don't know or who don't have power networks. In my case I didn't want to die - I still have some project and things that I feel are valuable to complete on the planet and it is my right to live.

        I can easily see how the elderly and any who don't have close family networks could be overlooked or killed prematurely through simple neglect.

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