Euthanasia: Freedom to Die with Dignity
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Euthanasia: Freedom to Die with Dignity
(Argumentative Essay)
Outline
Euthanasia: Freedom to Die with Dignity
II. Introduction
II. Background Information
III. Right to Die Movement
III. Counter Arguments and Responses to Them
V. Conclusion
English 1301
23 January 2009 Euthanasia: Freedom to Die with Dignity: In the year 2007, my grandfather the Honorable Leon Davis was dying. This American war hero had made a request to die with dignity. He was dealing with a failed kidney, pneumonia, dementia, hypertension, MRSA foot infection, a broken hip, and terrible living conditions at a nursing home. All these problems left him weakened and physically dependent on others. For terminally ill patients like my grandfather, where death was inevitable and would have been less painful than living, euthanasia should be a consideration or an option. Euthanasia is a way of relieving ill people 's pain and save them from the agony of their illness.
The word “Euthanasia” comes from a Greek phrase meaning “good death”. However, in today’s society it means killing a terminally ill person as a way to end that person’s pain and suffering (Cundiff 1). In the 70’s, a movement that had tried to legalize some form of euthanasia, and it has been referred to as the “Right to Die” Movement (Yount 12).
They believe that competent adults with less those six months to live should be legally permitted not only to refuse life-sustaining medical treatment, but also to receive a physician’s help in ending their lives if they request it. They also believe that people with incurable degenerative or disabling conditions should also be allowed to ask for aid in dying, even if their illness is not terminal (Yount 3).
My grandfather like other severely ill people declared that he wanted to die because his pain was so severe. He often made the statement, “Whose life is it, anyway? Let me have the freedom to die with dignity”
Euthanasia: Freedom to Die with Dignity
(Argumentative Essay)
Outline
Euthanasia: Freedom to Die with Dignity
II. Introduction
II. Background Information
III. Right to Die Movement
III. Counter Arguments and Responses to Them
V. Conclusion
English 1301
23 January 2009 Euthanasia: Freedom to Die with Dignity: In the year 2007, my grandfather the Honorable Leon Davis was dying. This American war hero had made a request to die with dignity. He was dealing with a failed kidney, pneumonia, dementia, hypertension, MRSA foot infection, a broken hip, and terrible living conditions at a nursing home. All these problems left him weakened and physically dependent on others. For terminally ill patients like my grandfather, where death was inevitable and would have been less painful than living, euthanasia should be a consideration or an option. Euthanasia is a way of relieving ill people 's pain and save them from the agony of their illness.
The word “Euthanasia” comes from a Greek phrase meaning “good death”. However, in today’s society it means killing a terminally ill person as a way to end that person’s pain and suffering (Cundiff 1). In the 70’s, a movement that had tried to legalize some form of euthanasia, and it has been referred to as the “Right to Die” Movement (Yount 12).
They believe that competent adults with less those six months to live should be legally permitted not only to refuse life-sustaining medical treatment, but also to receive a physician’s help in ending their lives if they request it. They also believe that people with incurable degenerative or disabling conditions should also be allowed to ask for aid in dying, even if their illness is not terminal (Yount 3).
My grandfather like other severely ill people declared that he wanted to die because his pain was so severe. He often made the statement, “Whose life is it, anyway? Let me have the freedom to die with dignity”
Cited: Cundiff, David, “Euthanasia is Not the Answer.” New Jersey Humana 1992: 1 Yount, Lisa, “Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia.” New York Fact on File 2000: 4-12