English Comp. 101
October 19, 2013
Persuasive Essay: Pro-Euthanasia
The word “Euthanasia” deprives from the Greek word, Euthanatos. It comes from two Greek words: “Eu” which means good and “Thanatos” which means death. Literally meaning “good death”, it’s used when a patient or someone in the patient’s family makes the decision on whether or not they want to continue living. This decision usually comes up when the patient has an incurable illness or disease and the known outcome is death. Euthanasia, a controversial medical practice, has been an issue for people who are either pro or anti-Euthanasia. Citizens who are pro-euthanasia feel that it’s the patients’ decision on having a dignifying death, while anti-Euthanasia protesters feel the practice is a cop-out to doctors not doing their job. Euthanasia is a medical decision that is helpful to patients, their family and their doctors because it’s their right to what they want to do with their life, regulating euthanasia, ends pain and suffering and saves money in the process.
As a sick or ill patient, they have the right to do whatever they want with their body. Even though this might look like an assisting suicide, this is a decision that should not be swayed by anyone. For example, a patient who has been dealing with cancer for many years on and off just can’t deal with the negative stress the cancer comes with. Even though they have grieving family members who will miss them and has been with them through the whole process, it should be what the patient wants. Opposing arguments would shame the patients’ controversial decisions because how could you leave your heart stricken family for a swift unnecessary death. At that point, shouldn’t the patient have the right to let go? Not saying that the family didn’t go through horrible emotional pain dealing with this issue but no one would know what they went through those years (unless of course they’ve dealt with the same issue). When we look at