“Euthanasia & the Right to Die: Mercy, Morality, and the Human Choice”

Idea: Some argue euthanasia violates the Hippocratic Oath, while others see it as an act of mercy.

Evidence:

Divided Opinions: The American Medical Association opposes euthanasia, citing “do no harm,” but the Royal Dutch Medical Association supports it under strict conditions.

Practices: In Oregon, USA, under the Death with Dignity Act, physicians can assist death legally and ethically with informed consent.

Idea: The right to die is increasingly seen as a human right, though not universally accepted.

Evidence:

Court Rulings: The European Court of Human Rights (Pretty v. UK, 2002) acknowledged the complexity but denied an absolute right to die.

UN and Human Rights: Some scholars argue Article 1 (Right to Dignity) and Article 3 (Freedom from Cruel Treatment) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights may support euthanasia.

Idea: Legalizing euthanasia may lead to its use on non-terminal or vulnerable individuals.

Evidence:

In Belgium and the Netherlands, euthanasia has expanded to include psychiatric patients and elderly people tired of life.

Reports from Canada’s MAiD system show some people request euthanasia due to poverty or lack of care access, raising ethical concerns.