Euthanasia: Can We Live with It?

The recent case of the british couple who went to Switzerland to die has yet again highlighted both public support and antipathy for euthanasia.
  The last famous case was that of Mr Reg Crewe who was helped to die at the Dignitas clinic (in reality an anonymous apartment block flat). In the documentary the public were treated to a vignette of Reg and his wife and daughter flying to Switzerland to watch him die with dignity. Whether against or for euthanasia, it was a most touching programme and was followed up by a televised debate on the subject.

The word euthanasia is from the Greek and means ‘a good death’ and of course its supporters would claim its veracity.  However, there are strong arguments on both the euthanasia and the palliative care side.

On the side of palliative care (the type offered by hospices) the emphasis is on good, round the clock care, making the patient as comfortable as possible and the use of pain control methods. Coupled with lots of visits from friends and family and stimulation by organised treats for the terminally ill as well as religious input if the patient desires it,  palliative care, say its supporters helps the person face death with dignity…strangely enough, the same terms used by their euthansia supporting opponents.

Perhaps the biggest objection to euthansia comes from the statistics or lack of them in Holland, where although not quite sanctioned fully yet, authorities turn a blind eye to the use of it. The problem is ‘though, where do you draw the line…if indeed there is one? Who merits being euthanised, the terminally ill, the old and infirm, the mentally confused…who? 

Could we end up like the nazis whereby children, the sick and infirm, the elderly and physically and mentally handicapped people were euthanised against their will?  The common argument is that introducing euthanasia could be the thin end of a very wide wedge and if left unchecked thousands of people could suddenly cease to be….robbed of their right to life!

On the other hand, let’s put ourselves in the position of someone who has a terminal illness and has little to no quality of life anymore. How ignominious is it to have been an active, mentally alert person who could fend for themself, having to live in a  daily nightmare of being stuck in a body that has ceased to function whereby even communication could be difficult.  Who would want that? 

Most religionists would argue that these things are in God’s hands and everything we suffer from is the will of God and also that we do not have the right to take our own lives…that is is the divine prerogative of God alone. Somehow I’m not quite convinced by that argument and I still fail to see the supposed spiritual ‘merit’ in any kind of suffering??? 

 It’s a tough one ‘though…I can see merit in both palliative care and in euthansia but only in certain special circumstances and under the very strictest controls for what we don’t want to end up like is a kind of ‘Logan’s Run’ type of society where those of a certain age are considered a burden and need to be removed from that society.  I for one, hate playing God and I don’t envy those who work in the assisted suicide game, for the dangers of  becoming too lax are always just a step away!