Euthanasia Should/ Shouldn’t Be Legalized In Australia

Pain has always been the main reason that terminally ill even think about an early death. A lot of people perceived that assisted suicide or mercy killing is beneficial and helpful to those who are suffering for a long period of time but how far is this true? How do we know that the doctors’ decisions are right? Can we decide who to live and who to die or when to live and when to die? All these doubts will prove that euthanasia should not be legalized in Australia because it violates basic human rights and there is a far better alternative to euthanasia.

Most of us would travel great lengths to obtain our rights and the protection of humans’ lives is one of the most vital rights that we, humans fought for many centuries. Murder and suicides are strictly prohibited not only by religions but also in many countries. No one could take away their own life and other’s as they like. In that case, euthanasia should be seen as a form of murder because it involves the doctors and physicians assistance in ending someone’s life. Under normal condition, anyone who assists in a murder is as equally guilty as to those who did the killing. It definitely violates the basic human rights to live and no one would want their right to live or die to be decided by the hands of others. Don’t you agree? Some might argue that patients choose euthanasia at their own will but that is considered as suicide which also violates the human rights. Proponents of euthanasia claimed that it is for the sufferers benefit and helps to reduce the pain. Then again, can we say that abortion is for the unborn benefits? Why do laws prohibit abortion? To protect unborn babies lives, that’s why. Thus, is there a reason why should euthanasia be legal when all it does defies the humans’ right to live?

Some terminally ill patients said that if they were an animal, it would be cruel and against the law to continue their life. It should be stressed that we, humans, are not like animals at all. If whatever that is done to animals can be done to humans then why we can’t we clone humans like how we clone animals? This is because there is an obvious boundary that separates us from animals and we should be treated better. No doubt, to the terminally ill, euthanasia would be the apparent choice at the peak of their sufferings because they couldn’t endure any longer. Some chose it because they feel that they are a burden to their families while some might just be because they are depressed due to loneliness and no visits from families. However, there is an alternative to euthanasia which is called palliative care where it is a form of medical care which concentrates on reducing the severity of symptoms which aim to prevent and relieve sufferings and improve quality of life. Palliative care ensures that patients will have full support psychologically, physically and spiritually without them considering killing themselves to get away from all the pains. Palliative care services are available in most countries and should be fully utilized. These supports are essential to make sure that these terminally ill patients do not recklessly try to choose euthanasia due to pain, outside pressures or because they feel that they have no choice but to do so. Palliative care gives them the right to enjoy every minute of their life compared to euthanasia and this is certainly a better option.

All in all, I hope I have convinced you that euthanasia should not be legalized in Australia because it violates the basic human rights and there is a better alternative to mercy killing. Do not be fooled that euthanasia helps. Remember: life is precious, everyone should cherish it to the very last breath and so do you. Let’s make this world a better place by saying no to euthanasia.