answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Advantages of euthanasia, or right-to die policies, is in allowing the person to maintain a dignity in death after a lifetime of dignity. It may provide them with a sense of empowerment in the face of being powerless against the progression of a chronic, perhaps fatal, disease. It can also relieve some of the guilt and shame they may be feeling as they require increasing amounts of time and resources from relatives, especially if estranged over years. A central theme includes a persons quality of life. Disadvantages may involve the "slippery slope" many ethicists feel may occur, thinking that voluntary euthanasia can devalue human life. Quality of life is not as significant a theme as is maintenance of a life. Many religious groups feel this may eventually lead to such a widespread value system in society that elderly individuals may be pressured against their will to utilize this option by those with a vested interest ( beneficiaries of life insurance policies, directors of health maintenance organizations, etc.).

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 8y ago

Disadvantages of Euthanasia

Common Sense Grounds : Euthanasia is permanent!

Religious Grounds: It's immoral for Catholics or other religious beliefs. Preserving the life of an ailing patient is an answer to all God's commandment that we should love one another no matter what happens.

Societal and Ethical Grounds: Another disadvantage is the "thin end of the wedge" argument, and thus when euthansia is legal, it opens the door for other forms of "mercy killing" and from there to destruction of "useless" lives. So right now, if an old person is terminally ill with a painful illness, it seems OK to "put them to sleep". When people get used to that idea, how about babies born with disabilities? Or people with inherited genetic illnesses? Or people with mental illnesses? Or people who in some other way are seen as undesirable? Hitler didn't only kill Jews; he started off by clearing long term care hospitals, orphanages, the mentally ill, people with Down's syndrome, people with depression, people who were not 100% physically perfect. Eventually, even having a club foot would be a death sentence.

I believe that we actually need these people in our society because they teach us things, lessons that perhaps we would rather not know, but which are necessary.

People used the thin end of the wedge" argument about abortion too and people scoffed saying it would never be used as a form of Birth Control. It would only be used in the case of incest, rape or threat to mother's life. What happened? Yes, abortion IS now a form of contraception, with some teenagers having more than 3 abortions. Abortions are done later and later on in pregnancy now. And today, you can see how they are done on YouTube.

Thus, if we allow euthanasia in extremely hard cases, gradually, other people will be killed for no very good reason at all. And people who are made to feel like burdens may feel morally obliged to ask for euthanasia when they don't actually want it.

And what about doctors and nurses who might feel revulsion at the idea of killing someone when they went into medicine to heal? Will they lose their jobs if they refuse to participate in these practices? This has already happened in the UK to two midwives who would not participate in abortions or supervise junior staff administering them.

This is an ethical and legal minefield. I would not like euthanasia to be legalised because there is too much potential for abuse. At this point, people usually quote a heart rending, pitiful case of terrible suffering. But hard cases do not make good law, and proper care should be given to prevent such extreme suffering, which is possible to do.

Advantages of Euthanasia

Physical : Though people want to believe it is possible to keep a terminally ill person pain free and comfortable, this is not completely true. People do suffer, unless they are given enough medication to sedate and keep the person asleep.

Religious Grounds: Some people do not believe in religion. They do not feel bound by issues of "morality" vs "immorality".

Societal and Ethical Grounds: People should have the right to control their own lives--and deaths--without judgment.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 14y ago

you took the chance of a person to live a normal life if everything turns out okay

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is the disadvantage of euthanasia?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp