Essay About High Healthcare Cost And Human Life

Euthanasia/assisted Suicide Debate
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Euthanasia has been defined as the mercy killing of the hopelessly ill, injured, or
incapacitated (Pozgar, 2010). It is terminating life of a terminally ill person, at the request of the
person, to end their suffering, especially when the individual is in such excruciating pain and it
is impossible to bear it without medication. While technology has given the ability to prolong
human life through science and knowledge, technology does not always add quality of life.
When it comes to my belief regarding euthanasia, because of my personal illness and experience,
I am leaning more toward letting the individual decide whether or not they want to suffer and
live in agony; however, there may be circumstances where I may not totally agree. As a cancer
survivor, I empathize with individuals who endure agonizing pain, because even with strong
medication, the pain I endured was very unbearable. Although my illness was not terminal and I
never once thought about ending my life, I was in such a great state of pain that I understand
what it feels like to want to end it all.
Euthanasia is an extremely sensitive and emotional issue that many people has strong
beliefs about. On one hand I feel as though an individual who is terminally ill, yet mentally
competent, have full knowledge of what they are doing, not under duress and no longer want to
endure any pain, should have the right to decide whether or not they want to suffer. Some people
are in so much pain that they do not want to live. In this case, they might want to end their life
in a painless and caring way. This often happens when a person is terminally ill and there
is no curable treatment. Also, if a person is terminally ill and have a very short time to live, with
the high healthcare cost, one can make the argument that a couple more months of life is not
worth it as long as the terminal individual decides whether it is worth it or not.
When a patient is not able to make the decision, health professionals, friends or family
members might decide that they want to help end the persons life for humane reasons. My
ninety three year old grandmother who we just laid to rest this past weekend, was diagnosed with
terminal cancer just two weeks ago. I cannot imagine her being elderly and fragile enduring the
severity of pain she was in for a very short period of time, for many months or even years,
fortunately, she did not have to suffer long. When we see how some animals suffer and are put to
sleep to alleviate their pain; many may argue that the same logic can apply to any human beings
who are terminal, in a great state of pain and choose to end their suffering.
On the other hand, on a spiritual level, my faith teaches that killing of any kind is
immoral no matter the circumstances. Many faiths, along with mine, agree that life is a gift
from our Heavenly Father and no human being has the right to take that life. Murder is murder,
no matter what name it is given. But when you really think about it, life can be extended through
the abilities and gifts of humans, but cannot end through the abilities and gifts of humans. My
belief is the Most High is the only one that can give and take away life, however, it brings to
mind that if the Most High only can give and take away life, should we reject all medicine and
immunizations that are discovered to allow us live healthier and longer? I believe in reality, we
all have our own reasons whether we believe euthanasia is justifiable or not, because of our
different experiences, beliefs, and outlooks on life.
In terms of special populations, with involuntary euthanasia more laws and ethical issues
come into play. To protect special groups such as the poor, minorities, elderly and disable, their
need to be someone who has their best interest in mind and to make sure their family members,
friends or healthcare staff has their best interest at heart and not for profitable gain. “One
concern has been that disadvantaged populations would be disproportionately