DEATH WITH DIGNITY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

DEATH WITH DIGNITY - Essay Example Different countries hold different views on euthanasia and so as their respective legal bodies. In Sweden it is allowed and in UK it is prohibited. Euthanasia again is divided into passive and active euthanasia and the law does not hold same view regarding this two. In this dubious state regarding euthanasia patients suffering form terminal illness are the prime sufferers. Should euthanasia be legalized or it should be left as it is. The following paper leads an investigative report on moral, ethical and legal grounds on this issue at the back ground of a case study of a young girl Maria who is suffering from motor neuron disease a terminal illness and has only one year to survive. Moreover the paper suggests some recommendations for the Minister of Health in order to facilitate euthanasia in a just way. Executive Summary: Death with dignity or euthanasia is a much-debated issue in the world. Apart from Oregon in other states of USA it’s prohibited and in United Kingdom the de bate is still going on over its acceptance. Interestingly in UK by The Suicide Act 1961, suicide has been legalized under certain circumstances but ending one’s life with the help of another is strictly prohibited. However it has been observed that assisted suicide is the only outlet or route of escape available to the people suffering from terminal illness, since in most of the cases they are not capable of doing it by their own. This report will enlighten the dubious factors hovering around this faint demarcation of suicide and assisted suicide and also will highlight the necessity of euthanasia to be legalized. In this effort a case study of Maria a young girl suffering from motor neuron disease has been considered. Maria whose fate was sealed as soon as she was detected with the mentioned disease, was bed ridden and paralysed to that extent that she cannot put an end to her life by her own. Her mother and family was strongly in favour of assisting her to end her life to a void the later stage complicacies and pain mainly arising from respiratory failure; but were never granted permission for the same. It should be noted since motor neuron disease leaves the mind almost unaffected hence it is obvious that Maria opined the same with her mother and family. This report aims at considering the case of euthanasia in a detailed manner and explores the ethical, legal and moral grounds in favour or against the same. The report also aims to figure out an appropriate point where euthanasia should be legalized and in its way to achieve that goal the report also suggests a set of recommendations. Rationale of the Report: Firstly historical evidence points to the fact that many clinical cases have been faced so far where a person with terminal illness and suffering like hell but the people around her even knowing the ultimate outcome remained neutral considering the red eyes of law. Examples in UK can be found from the instance from Mrs. Dianne Petty and Debbie Pu rdy. This report focuses on the justification of that act. Secondly according to Griffiths many medical professionals consciously or unwillingly considers voluntary euthanasia; an estimate put this number at 12 percent. (Griffiths, 1999) However the difference between voluntary and