Euthanasia is the act of ending one's life for that person's benefit. The act of 'mercy killing' or euthanasia, is considered illegal in all countries except Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and certain states in the United States. In my opinion, euthanasia should be allowed, as I see that abuse of euthanasia would not be apparent, and because I find euthanasia as more beneficial than negative.
I believe that euthanasia should be allowed because it relieves the pain one goes through and kills them in a humane, dignified manner. Those terminally ill, may eventually conclude that living is no longer worth it because of the pain. In the event that this happens, would you not wish that you were put out of your misery? Euthanasia allows one to die with dignity and does not let them suffer from a slow, painful death. Although in many cases, one could decline drugs and treatment that help pain in order to quicken death, the victim would be put under excruciating pain before they died. Euthanasia should also be legalized as it is considered by many as an act of kindness. I see euthanasia not as murder, but as a final act of kindness for those who wish to put an end to their suffering. Many pet owners may find that their pets have developed a fatal disease that is not curable; these pet owners would most likely decide to put down their pet. Animal euthanasia is considered one of the kindest options a pet owner could do to their pet in the event that a fatal ailment has occurred. Seeing as the pets don’t have the ability to supply consent and they are still euthanized, and people who want to be euthanized are denied euthanasia, why shouldn’t people be granted this option as well?
Aside from what it does for the person suffering, euthanasia can also benefit others around them. An example of this would be a patient who might be elderly or chronically ill who knows that they have little chance of survival might choose to give up their position in a hospital so that someone else who is younger or has a greater chance of survival may receive treatment that would be lead to that person living a fuller life. Euthanasia also gives the family or friends of the sickly the relief that their loved one no longer has to suffer anymore.
Another reason to legalize euthanasia would be because one has every right to have control over one's life to an extent, and I believe that one's death. There are many reasons people who simply do not feel that life is worth living due to pain, or they feel as though that the treatment is only postponing an inevitable death, or those who consider this futile treatment as a waste of money and they should simply stop the treatment to keep the financial status of their family intact. In a scenario where you had no chance of cure from a fatal disease that has left you in a vegetative state, and the only thing keeping you alive were expensive life support machines, you are deprived of simple choices such as moving, or even speaking, would you not wish to die your own way rather than let the disease take it's course?
Euthanasia should be legalized because it serves more purpose than simply letting someone die a slow death, it is also more ethical and humane. Euthanasia also gives other positive benefits to those around them. Those against euthanasia might argue that euthanasia degrades the value of human lives, however, is it not the suffering victim's job to decide the value of their own life? Put yourself in a situation where you suffer constantly because of a disease that will kill you eventually, and I am almost positive that you will long to end the suffering, whether it be slow and painful, or quick and painless.
