Euthanasia

How many of us here have heard about the term Euthanasia? I myself not long ago learned about this concept during one of the presentations done by a student in the ethics class. And after viewing that presentation, I really felt this is one concept that everyone should be aware of and know in their life and that’s the purpose and reason for me taking this topic.

 We all feel that doctors and developments in the field of medicine can literally sort out every health problem we come across. But the sad reality is the fact that even they are human beings and there just isn’t a solution for every problem in life.  Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending the life of a person to relieve  pain and suffering. When I’m talking about pain and suffering, I’m talking about the most deadly diseases & life threatening health issues that even the doctors cannot solve. The most common example is of individuals who land up in comma, when they are physically present but mentally dead. Where there is no movement and communication at all.

 The Individuals life itself is shattered and destroyed with absolute no existence with no purpose of being alive at all. There are several examples in the world, where each person is leading a perfectly happy life when disaster strikes and that one incident destroys everything you dreamt of leading a normal life. There are two forms of Euthanasia, one  is passive where there is a intentional cause of death where there is no medical assistance or care provided at all. The other type of euthanasia is active euthanasia where a injection or medicine is given to take the life of a person with immediate effect.

          One example of  Euthanasia was in 1973 on the evening of november 27^th , where Aruna Shanbaug a nurse in King Edward memorial hospital was sexually assaulted by a sweeper. She was strangled by a dog chain which cut off the oxygen flow to her brain, spinal damage, cervical cord injury and permanent blinding. This shocking incident resulted in Aruna being in a vegetative state for 37 long years? Yes, 37 years lying in a bed with no movement, interaction and no life at all.  Her friend wrote a petition to the supreme court saying that she lies on the bed like a dead animal and just a skeleton. Imaging the pain that Aruna went through that evenings incident, and lying in one place for 37 years.

 Imagine the pain that her parents, friends and loved ones went through? Is it practically possible for any one to see her suffering for 37 years with absolute no chance of recovery? Her parents and friends begged the supreme court for Active killing to end her life to end all the pain and struggle she went through to at least reduce the pain that she was bearing and the people taking care of her. Our government as usual never sanctioned this request as this would go down as murder according to them as its forcing the killing of a person. After more then 37 years, Aruna finally rested in peace after all the years of suffering through passive Euthanasia recently. A outcome which should have occurred a long time ago.

 What happens to the sweeper who committed that incident? He was sentenced to jail for 7 years and he was released and free for the rest of his life. Our amazing judiciary system.  Now even after thousands of cases like this world over, related to rape, brain damage, comma state , cancer and soo many other causes.  It still amazes me how Euthanasia is only legal in a few countries world over like Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg,  and Albania. 

There are several arguments against euthanasia saying that doctors are meant to preserve life and not assist and encourage in taking the life of others. Is It assisted suicide? Some also say the whole process is unnatural & unnecessary and against several religions and some may even use it in the wrong way where people always look to take their life away where the fear to face the harsh realities and dangers of life. Some may just end the persons life to save money and financial expenses.

But , when we make all the decisions by ourselves, whether its education , life partner, career, food and all our needs and wants I seriously think it’s the individuals decision and freedom to decide whether he wants to end his life to reduce the pain and suffering  for himself and loved ones or not with proper consent of the individual and if her or she cannot communicate in cases such as brain damage or being paralyzed, the parents and other loved ones should take the decision on Euthanasia.  The purpose of life is to be of use to others where others can benefit from you and you can change the life of others in a positive way and not induce pain and suffering on yourselves and most importantly others.  

My Friends We are born with Dignity, let  the people suffering die with dignity. “ Do to others as you would have them do to you if you were in the same position”