Reflecting On Million Dollar Baby And The Ethical Dilemma Of Euthanasia

Reflecting On "Million Dollar Baby" And The Ethical Dilemma Of Euthanasia I watched "Million Dollar Baby" and was convinced that my opinion about euthanasia had at its core the absolute right of every individual to end his misery when the suffering becomes unbearable. I recognized the humane purpose of euthanasia, seeing it as a way to put people out of their misery when there was nothing else we could do for them. But I had also seen the moral problems and slippery slopes that this kind of thing could lead to, especially regarding older patients or those with mental health needs who might feel like they were going to be a burden on their families. However, the film provides a touching insight into euthanasia by introducing Maggie Fitzgerald, a boxer who is permanently paralyzed after an injury and struggling with deep depression. The question of whether euthanasia is the moral answer for Maggie is one riddled with ethical ramifications. To some at least allowing her to choose to walk away from the pain might seem a far greater show of respect for an individual in terms of their autonomy and desires. Conversely, this act could be seen as a way around the medical community that does not want to step in between the preservation of life. After all, while I sympathize with poor Maggie's predicament; euthanasia shouldn't come top of the list for her situation. Everything else is on the table and then maybe, just maybe bankruptcy (which should be a last resort). I still stand largely on the same side of mercy killing, even after watching Million Dollar Baby… and I have to say I feel more deeply trenched. I struggled with the heft of what Maggie was experiencing—her pain and her simultaneous urge to assert control in both life as well as death. The movie muddies the waters about euthanasia, focusing on how agonizing a choice it is for her trainer Frankie (Colin Farrell) to feel so torn over helping her die. I still favor personal autonomy, yet I now understand the burning emotional conflicts and nuances that family members and caregivers grapple with as they navigate their way through insidious pressure awash in guilt. Indeed, had I been Frankie, it would have been a tough decision for me to abide by Maggie´s wishes. My own heart will want to protect her and end the pain in any way I can, either by advice as a friend or being an instructor. which may be opposed to her wish for euthanasia… of course, if Maggie were my dog, I would want to pursue other forms of intervention with her before ever considering euthanasia exploring medical and more holistic types of support; both psychological (Emotional Freedom Technique might be useful?) emotional support options, perhaps Frankie? I would feel so responsible for her and the consequences of an irreversible decision weigh on me heavily. I struggle with whether people like Maggie should be allowed to choose euthanasia in certain cases — the simple concept that if you are diagnosed and facing a truly incurable, agonizing disease then why shouldn't one have the right to decide death over suffering? But that would require strict controls: rules to stop more vulnerable people being coerced or issued, and a cooling-off period for anyone who woke up one day in the mood. This immediately puts them out of odds with the Hippocratic Oath, which demands that doctors should be attendants at life. Here the principle of euthanasia carrying opposing meanings goes in direct contradiction with each other making it difficult for them to be managed under this relation on one hand where a doctor has a role that brings healing knowledge and understanding and should also subscribe to an extent towards an ethical idea that is about ending pain. It calls for a reassessment of the aim of medical care — more years versus better and fewer suffering ones. To summarize, Million Dollar Baby strengthened my understanding of how euthanasia can be a difficult subject but also made me think that there are many nuances in play when someone makes an end-of-life choice. As long as the arguments will drag on between holding up life and personal autonomy, it is highly pertinent that every stance on euthanasia does not lose its sensitivity along with losing its conscience keeping in mind respectful well-informed discussions about all those people are going through amid their critical path.