The Right to Die
In the debate regarding assisted
suicide, there are those who believe that a person is alive as long
as she continues to breathe. They say that death must remain a natural
occurrence, and not something to be caused or facilitated by human
interference. However, the example of Karen Quinlan, a woman declared
permanently comatose in hospital, brings to light the common sense
in the use of assisted suicide. Although Karen Quinlan continued
to breathe for nine years, Karen died to her family and friends
when she became comatose. There is no justification to maintain
that the simple act of breathing qualifies as life. Keeping utterly
debilitated patients alive with the help of medication and technology
simply perpetuates the suffering of the patient and her loved ones.
It serves no better purpose than imposing a financial burden on
the patient's family and draining the limited resources of society.
For these reasons, Karen Quinlan should have
been allowed to die.
Write your thesis
here
|