Health and Wellness
Euthanasia
To some of you who don't know what Euthanasia is, it's basically assisted suicide to someone who either:
a) Requested to be peacefully put down
or
b) Is incapable of making the decision, but someone who is really
close to them who makes the decion.
Assisted suicide has been a very controversial topic lately. Intolerance towards suicide began in the 2nd-3rd centuries under the influence of Christianity. Christians saw it as an interferance to God's will (Parliament of Canada. 2013). When the classical period came, they were a bit more leniant towards suicide although it was only criticized if the reason for it was irrational. Adherance to religious principles was complicated by the advancement of science and medicine since the ability to increase treatment and extend life was getting better. There was a specific case held in New Jersey regarding the disapprovement of euthanasia. Karen Ann Quinlan was a 21 year old woman who suffered brain damage and went into a coma after a massive consumption of drugs and alcohol. Her parents signed a form allowing physicians to disconnect the respirator although the hospital refused to do so in 1976. This then went to court in 1985 and the New Jersey Supreme Court allowed it to be removed. Karen died in 1985 in a nursing home after being fed for 10 years. Assisted suicide has two sides; it's a bittersweet thing. When it comes down to it, and you had a choice, would you want to be let go?
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