views of euthanasia

DARIA SINGH 214533029 22 APRIL 2014 – SARAH SCHOFIELD TUT GROUP 10
Introduction
Euthanasia also known as mercy killing has become a highly controversial topic all around the world. It is an act of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering. There is a lot of controversy around the issue of euthanasia be legal or on religious beliefs. Research of the topic has given various opinions, on whether euthanasia does indeed ease pain or should it be regarded as murder.
Body
Research conducted by Nkwinika (2008) on attitudes of University students towards euthanasia found that age and gender may also play an important role when one creates an opinion of euthanasia. Basic Points made in the article were:
1. In comparison with the 18-24 age group and 25-31 showed slightly more positive attitudes towards euthanasia.
2. Post-graduate students showed the most positive attitudes, followed by senior students while first year students had the least positive attitudes.
3. Gender of the participants also plays a decisive role in the study, male participants showed a more positive attitude in comparison to females. From this we may establish that females may feel more strongly against the idea of euthanasia because of a possible question of the humaneness of the act.
4. From the evidence provided by the research conducted by Nkwinka we are able to deduce that age has a direct link to morality and ethics. Maturity levels pf each individual may vary
Coon,D.(2001) argues the point of euthanasia from various perspectives. He states that doctors and other medical practitioners are bound legally to ensure that the lives of their patients are preserved and sustained. He provides us with information about a “Living Will”. A will left behind when one is terminally ill so that they do not suffer but rather die with dignity. Euthanasia is not legal in many countries and for the right reasons as well. For the advancement of medicine people that suffering die before they even have a chance to see if they may survive and recover .The case of Karen Delbanty proves that euthanasia isn’t always the answer since she after 1 year of being in a coma woke up .Questions arise that what if euthanasia was carried out? No one may ever know the power of prayer or even miracles or even medicine if everyone was just euthanized because of terminal illness.

James Rachels view on active and passive euthanasia. This article the author justifies mercy killing as a source of easing pain for those terminally ill and prolonging an untimely death. In this instance he also provides reasons as to why some may find euthanasia inhumane and oppose the idea. His research provides scenarios as to people’s attitudes about euthanasia in different instances .he argues that killing itself isn’t worse than letting terminally ill patients die. This would ease their pain and suffering.
Many authors have conducted an investigation and the research deduced that 73% of participants who suffer from cancer believe that euthanasia should be legalised, citing pain and the individual’s right to choose their major rights, while those that opposed have religious views and moral objections to the idea of euthanasia.

Conclusion
This essay looks at various opinions on the idea of euthanasia in society. Evidence from the various studies show that many people oppose the idea of assisted suicide but before passing judgement on ones choices behind euthanasia, they should consider the reasons behind choosing euthanasia for themselves.

References
Rachels,J.(1997).Active and passive euthanasia. Bioethics: An introduction to the history,Methods and practice,1-82
Wilson,K.G,Scott,J.F.,Graham,I.D,Kozak,J.F.,Charter,S.,Viola,R.A.(2000).Attitidues of terminally ill patients towards euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Archives of internal medicine,160(16),254-260
Nkwinika,K.T.(2008).Attidues of university students towards euthanasia,45-50
Coon,D.(2001).Introduction to psychology: gateway to mind and behaviour.(9th ed.).Belmont,CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

References: Rachels,J.(1997).Active and passive euthanasia. Bioethics: An introduction to the history,Methods and practice,1-82 Wilson,K.G,Scott,J.F.,Graham,I.D,Kozak,J.F.,Charter,S.,Viola,R.A.(2000).Attitidues of terminally ill patients towards euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Archives of internal medicine,160(16),254-260 Nkwinika,K.T.(2008).Attidues of university students towards euthanasia,45-50 Coon,D.(2001).Introduction to psychology: gateway to mind and behaviour.(9th ed.).Belmont,CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.