By Anna Jordan - Year 11, Tokomairiro High School
Euthanasia. Mercy Killing. Assisted Dying.
These are all names for the act of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals, in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.
People who support euthanasia promote the idea that every person has the right to die with dignity, and should have the right to choose when and how they die.
People who oppose euthanasia often disagree for reasons such as religion, personal morals, the devaluing of life, and the fact that doctors would have to go against their oaths.
Euthanasia offers people the right to die with dignity, and to choose how and when they want to go.
It can prevent the suffering of people and offer them a calm and peaceful way out.
Euthanasia has been legalised in only three countries in the world: the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
But passive euthanasia (withdrawing medical treatment with the intention of causing the patient's death) and assisted suicide have been legalised in several European countries.
The most recent country to legalise some form of euthanasia is Canada, legalising physician-assisted suicide.
People must meet certain criteria for them to be considered eligible.
The person must be an adult, and has to be mentally competent when they give consent.
Also, they must be suffering from an intolerable physical or mental illness.
Doctors who do not want to partake in the suicide will not be forced to comply.
Before this law, assisted suicide was illegal in Canada and punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
This is somewhat significant to New Zealanders, as Canada is also a Commonwealth country and has a similar legal system to ours.
An example of someone who was determined to fight for her rights, even in illness, is Lecretia Seales, a New Zealand lawyer based in Wellington.
She was diagnosed with a brain cancer aged 38 and received chemotherapy and radiotherapy as treatment.
Lecretia brought a case to the High Court arguing her right to a short, painless death at her time of choosing, surrounded by family and friends.
Her request was not granted, and she died at the age of 42.
Lecretia's case raised awareness of the terminally ill, and of the issue of assisted dying.
Her husband, Matt, spoke of her reaction when he told her that her last request had been denied.
''Even though she couldn't speak, she was able to share her feelings through her expression.
''There was no mistaking her response. She was hurt and disappointed. She fixed me with a stare with her good eye as if to say 'Isn't this my body? My life'?''
Shouldn't people like Lecretia, who are in intolerable pain (either physically or mentally) and unable to see anything worth living for any more, be able to have a peaceful death?
Lecretia Seales is only one example.
People suffering from terminal illnesses, severe mental illnesses, intolerable pain, and lack of will to live any longer, may benefit from euthanasia or assisted dying.
In 1991, a Dutch report into euthanasia found that in 86% of cases, euthanasia only shortened life by a maximum of a week, and usually only a few hours. This shows that for the majority of euthanasia deaths it was used as a last resort, not an early option.
Also, the drugs for assisted suicide only cost between $75 to $100, making them far cheaper than providing ongoing medical care.
A common argument that is used against euthanasia is that it will encourage the devaluation of life.
Many people worldwide disagree with euthanasia because of personal morals, religious reasons, and ethics.
Many religions agree no-one has the authority to decide when they themselves or anyone else dies; that it is the will and decision of God alone, and that life is something beautiful, to be valued and treasured.
Some people just want to cling to life, to keep breathing and fighting until the last moment when they can finally let go, and know that they never gave up.
In conclusion, I think that euthanasia should be legalised, but should be very controlled.
Children should not be offered it, because they don't fully understand the consequences of it.
Doctors should not have to go against their oaths, and should have the decision on whether or not to help a patient in their wish to die.
Only people suffering from an incurable disease, and in extreme pain, should be offered the right to euthanasia - the right to leave this life with dignity.
