Post-Roe v. Wade, America continues to debate the beginning of life, but what about the end of it?
Death is the permanent cessation of all vital functions. That usually happens naturally during old age or through tragedy.
Euthanasia is the other side of the choice-and-life coin. The process, which is the practice of killing hopelessly sick or injured individuals, is seen as a painless ticket to death in the name of mercy.
However, what constitutes hopelessly sick or injured? According to an article by AP News, a 61-year-old Canadian named Alan Nichols was euthanized a month after being placed on suicide watch in June of 2019.
The fatal health condition that permitted his request to be fulfilled? Hearing loss.
A mentally ill and disabled patient was murdered at the hands of a “merciful” medical staff who relieved him of living in a deaf world.
With the passing of laws for the “right to die,” many doors have been opened.
Will we encourage our senior population to end their lives for the betterment of society? What about children with disorders and illnesses? Will they eventually qualify as well? According to the Canadian Pediatric Society, these questions are already a topic of unresolved discussion.
Medical assistance through death is being debated as an option for “mature minors” of all ages. What exactly defines a “mature minor” is yet to be determined. In a country where voting rights begin at 18, it’s odd that a 10-year-old would have the mental capacity to make a life-or-death decision but lack the ability to vote for political leaders.
In the United States, 10 states have legalized physician-assisted suicide for someone with a terminal illness. If more states follow suit, we will lose the opportunity to prevent innocent deaths like in the case of Alan Nichols.
Euthanasia shows our society has chosen an easier, more twisted version of empathy. The kind where we kill in cold blood to prevent from giving the compassion that brings solace to those in suffering.
No living creature carries greater value, purpose and soul than a human, which is why we can’t degrade that value by killing a person at the first sight of inconvenience.
