Study of Euthanasia and Mercy Killings
Study of Euthanasia and Mercy Killings
In Britain, in 1981, a respected paediatrician was charged with the murder of an infant with Down Syndrome. The trial revealed that the parents had not wanted their child to live. The paediatrician had therefore prescribed a narcotic painkiller. Due to this evidence, the doctor was acquitted of all charges.
Were the intentions of these parents in the best interest of their child, or was it so that it could suit their lifestyle? I believe that the child had become too much of a hassle for them, than what they had bargained for. These parents were given the gift of being responsible for a life. The moment the child turned out in a way that they didn’t expect, they didn’t want that responsibility anymore. For all they knew, their child could have become one of the greatest minds in the world. If only the child was given the chance to live. This fact has been proven through and through. The same goes for someone who has a terminal illness and wants to die. A cure for that particular illness could have been discovered hours or even minutes after they decided to end their life.
We have no right as to decide who should live and who should die. Life is sacrosanct and is therefore worthy of protection-no matter in what circumstance it should present itself. I was taught that all living things have the right to a full life. By taking another life, even though permission was given, is still murder! If someone takes their own life, then it is regarded as suicide. It is as simple as that. We are always making acceptions, and allowing emotions to take the upper hand of us when beloved ones ask to die. This is a mistake that we continuously make and never learn from. By thinking that we are helping them to ease their pain by following their wishes, is quite ironic. For the rest of our lives we will have to carry the burden and heartache, of knowing that we took a beloved one’s life. That terminally ill person should have known that by asking such a request, they were in turn spiritually handing over their pain to someone else. How can people do this to each other!
Nature has set out the cycle for when life should begin as well as end. Since man has created advanced...