Around the World and Case Studies

Upon looking into this, it seemed like assisted suicide and euthanasia was wrong. But then to think about illnesses where people die slow, painful deaths, it's completely understandable that they want to go before the pain becomes unbearable. Because there is such indecision over this global issue, countries all round the world have varying laws against or for assisted suicide, and some have no laws at all. In these countries with no laws to do with assisted suicide, such as Sweden, Finland and Germany, charges such as manslaughter or murder are given instead. On the other hand, only four countries have openly and legally authorised the use of Euthanasia, a form of assisted suicide: Oregon, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. These countries have introduced additional laws that require multiple medical staff to be involved in any case of assisted suicide, to ensure there are no mistakes or misunderstandings. Massachusetts is currently considering legalising physician-assisted death as a prescription for those who are deemed to have six months or less to live. They also have a Catholic stronghold which is fighting against it.
Japan had legalised Euthanasia in 1962, but the cases there are rare due to taboos surrounding suicide and assisted suicide. Germany's society also has a taboo over this due to the Nazi mass murders, and the strong influence of the church there, even though assisted suicide isn't against the law there.


Thinking simply, it's common knowledge that it's wrong to kill another person, so why should one person aid the death of another, even if they're going to die anyway? Doesn't that mean that one person killed someone? It is in these delicate cases of death where the line is most blurred. In the UK there is an MP who stands up for assisted suicide because he believes in his father's choice of death. When his father was diagnosed with lung cancer, he couldn't bear the thought of dying a "lingering, degrading death", and thought killing himself with carbon monoxide alone in his garage was better. Because of the law against assisted suicide, he was unable to have the support of his family around him at this time. The MP, Mr Bloomfield, believes that when someone chooses to kill him/herself, they should have the right of support for their decision. This is the kind of situation that makes it hard to decide if assisted suicide is right or wrong. It is very hard for friends and families to watch their loved ones suffer slow and painful deaths, and this is where assisted suicide is considered merciful. Even so, to aid the death of another still seems wrong. If someone really wants to commit suicide, it's their choice to face any consequences, and they should do it themselves. They shouldn't place the burden on another.


Another case in the UK is of a paralyzed man who can only communicate through a machine that reads his eyes when they blink. Even with a wife and two grown daughters, he can't stand the degrading quality of his life, and has been going to court to demand legal right for euthanasia. His situation's understandable, but it's more a case of his attitude.