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Legalization of Euthanasia

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Submitted By xocastro
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Andrea Castro
20526307
Nov 11, 2014
ENGL 109
The Legalization of Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide
Physician assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia are topics which are currently debated in many parts of the world. Physician assisted suicide is when someone takes their own life with the aid of another person, usually a physician. (Weir, 1997, 8) Voluntary euthanasia is when a physician takes their patient’s life with the patient’s complete consent. (Tulloch, 2005, 33) There is no reason why the aforementioned procedures should remain illegal. The opposition strongly believes that euthanasia will provide many benefits and solve many problems when it is first legalized, but as time goes on, these processes will be utilized in a malicious or incorrect fashion leading to involuntary deaths. (Schuklenk, et al, 2011, 147) Despite this claim, if euthanasia is not legalized, it will go against the fundamental rights we have as Canadian citizens or even citizens of the world. In particular, Canadian citizens have the right to their own decisions described in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. These include bodily integrity, accepting medical treatment and most importantly, individual autonomy. (Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982). Criminalizing the ability of taking our own lives would contradict the freedoms we have. There are three criteria which a person who would like to be euthanized must meet: the individual must have the mental capacity to make the choice entirely on their own, they must be terminally ill and either be in unbearable pain or have a degenerative condition that will slowly take away their mental capabilities. If these criteria are met, they should be able to make the decision to end their own life. (Schuklenk et al, 2011, 147) In Canada, suicide is a legal choice though it is heavily discouraged and stigmatized. (Schuklenk,

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