Essays
Essay
The Right to Choose
Image a world where individuals facing unbearable suffering from terminal illnesses have the power to choose a dignified and peaceful end; this choice, known as assisted suicide, remains a controversial debate. Supporting Bill HF1930 on assisted suicide is essential to uphold individual autonomy, ensure compassionate end-of-life care, and establish a regulated, ethical framework for those facing unbearable suffering. Assisted suicide is an end-of-life option established for terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months less to live. It would allow medical professionals to aid patients' deaths by prescribing a lethal medication ("HF 1930 Status in the House for the 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024)"). Legalizing assisted suicide is a compassionate and moral choice that respects individual autonomy, alleviates unbearable suffering, ensures a dignified quality of life, and provides a safe, regulated framework for end-of-life decisions.
Personal autonomy is a fundamental principle that underscores the right of individuals to make decisions about their own lives, including the deeply personal choice of assisted suicide; in the context of a terminal illness, autonomy over one's body is crucial, as it empowers patients to decide the course of their end-of-life journey. By allowing individuals to choose assisted suicide, we honor their capacity for self-determination, respect their wishes to avoid unnecessary suffering, and maintain autonomy, which is essential in ensuring that each person can live and die according to their values or choices.
For terminally ill patients, the emotional and physical suffering can be overwhelming. On Thursday, Nancy Uden was at the capitol voicing support for the proposed End-of-Life Options Act. She was injured in a car crash that was caused by a seizure. Doctors would soon diagnose her with an aggressive brain cancer.
"I promised my family that I would fight this ugly disease until there is no hope left and my death is inevitable, so if there are no more treatment options, then I deserve more death options," Uden said. (Kaplan)
Physically, they might experience severe pain, loss of mobility, and a decline in bodily functions, making everyday activities incredibly difficult. Emotionally, the constant pain and the knowledge of their impending death can lead to feelings of despair, anxiety, and depression. This suffering affects not only the patients but also their families, who have to watch their loved ones endure such hardship; assisted suicide can be seen as a way to alleviate the intense suffering, allowing patients to end their lives on their terms and maintain a sense of dignity. By providing this option, we acknowledge their pain and offer a compassionate soulution to their hardships.
When it comes to assisted suicide, there are a lot of ethical considerations to think about. One primary concern is whether it's morally right for doctors to help someone end their life. Some believe assisted suicide goes against the medical profession's duty to save lives and do no harm.
"This bill is about giving a patient the means to die of a drug overdose. It creates an irreconcilable conflict between the doctor as a compassionate guide and healer and the motivation to expedite death."
Many argue that helping someone avoid extreme suffering is a compassionate act, LIke the Death with Dignity project, whose mission is focused on improving how people with terminal illnesses die. They've come to terms with the fact that people die in horrible ways as their terminal illnesses overtake them, and in our current healthcare landscape, it is unacceptable. The group's goal is to ensure people with terminal illnesses can decide for themselves what a good death means following their values and beliefs, and to them, that should include having an option for death with dignity. The group said they wouldn't stop until that was a reality in every part of the country(Paine). This shows it is essential to have strict guidelines and policies to ensure that decisions are genuinely voluntary and well-informed but don't take away autonomy.
In conclusion, the right to choose assisted suicide is a deeply personal and complex issue that revolves around the principles of your life and the level of quality of it. Allowing individuals to make this choice respects their right to self-determination and can provide a compassionate option to those facing unbearable suffering. However, it also raises important ethical questions about the role of healthcare providers and the potential for misuse. Balancing these factors requires thoughtful dialogue and carefully crafted regulations and policies to ensure the practice is humane and ethically sound. Ultimately, the goal of the bill HF1930 is to honor the dignity and wishes of individuals while safeguarding against potential abuses.
Works Cited
“HF 1930 Status in the House for the 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024).” MN Revisor's Office, https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=HF1930&b=house&y=2024&ssn=0. Accessed 3 December 2024.
Kaplan, Jonah. “Bill that would legalize medically assisted suicide debated at Minnesota Capitol.” CBS News, 25 January 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/medically-assisted-suicide-shell/. Accessed 3 December 2024.
https://deathwithdignity.org/about#the-team
https://www.mccl.org/assisted-suicide-in-minnesota