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Euthanasia is the instance in which a doctor performs the act of ending a patient’s life to alleviate pain, due to aggravating illnesses with no cure (Healthline). 10 out of 196 countries legalized Euthanasia, in those countries being the Netherlands, Colombia, US., and many more. (The Asian Age). According to research, the state of California legalized the Euthanasia proposal back in 2015, involving a series of requirements such as being a resident of California and complying with the law that “physicians can not prescribe lethal drugs as requested by the patient until after three requests are made (at least 15 days apart)” (Find Law). A poll done in the United States asked citizens across the country to identify themselves by age, political stance, gender, etc., and state whether they were in favor or against Physician-assisted suicide (Euthanasia). 72% of US American citizens stated that they are in favor of Euthanasia being legal. In that 72% they are mostly men, millennials, part of the democratic party, and seldom/never attend church or any religious events; classifying them as widely liberal (Gallup).
Thousands of patients suffer tragic illnesses from which they have no coming back, such as cancer or brain tumors. Their pain is so severe that their options result in ending their lives. 111 people died last year under physician-assisted suicide, in regard to cancer suffering (CNN Health). All averaged at a median age of 73 years old, which is a highly common age to encounter illnesses like cancer. Illnesses such as cancer have been discovered for decades and yet have not found a cure for them. Patients in most countries and states have no option, but to live in crucial pain. 65 out of those 111 deaths were due to cancer (CNN Health). Director Matt Whittaker claims, 'We continue to work to ensure that every terminally ill Californian has equal access to all end-of-life care options, including hospice, pain control, palliative care, and medical aid in dying.' The practice of Euthanasia is not limited to immediate death, but also to assist with mental and physical care. *Adding more statistics and facts here*
In 2014, Brittany Maynard woke the country’s conscience up when her health was at stake when she discovered her brain cancer illness. Maynard underwent various operations trying to remove the tumor, but it would come back in a worse state every time. Doctors eventually told Maynard she had less than six months to live. California, at the time, had not yet legalized physician-assisted suicide, so Brittany Maynard moved to Oregon along with her husband to be able to take advantage of their options. “Oregon was the first state to enact such a law, in 1997. In the 18 years after, 1,545 prescriptions have been written for a lethal dose of medication, of which 991 patients used that prescription to hasten their death, according to a study released in April” (CNN Health). Alike Maynard, a majority of these patients suffered from a sort of cancer. After various upbringings and check-ins with her physician, he finally approved it and provided her with the lethal drug to use when she pleased under strict circumstances. Maynard took the lethal drug from her home in the time and place of her choosing to end her chronic illness and suffering.
According to research, Euthanasia has been declared effective in not only ending a patient’s illness and pain but also discovering more beyond that. When a voluntary candidate summits themselves to the multiple tests that they have to undergo to be approved for euthanasia, doctors analyze symptoms and more beyond what they already know. If a patient, like Brittany Maynard, is experiencing severe pain due to a life-threatening illness they may request to have the decision of ending their life on their end by undergoing Euthanasia. By doing so, a doctor will have to do many tests, brain scans, etc. For example, if such procedures are done and thanks to so, other issues appear. Per se, unhealthy mental states such as depression, signs that lead to doctors believing the patient needs psychiatric or psychological help, and more. Euthanasia, in essence, has a well-developed procedure that will clearly define what a clear, stated mind patient needs/wants. A study done by BMJ Open in 2015 stated, “Most patients had been referred for psychiatric counseling by their physician (n=55) or by LEIF (Life End Information Forum) (n=36). 90 patients had >1 disorder; the most frequent diagnoses were depression (n=58) and personality disorder (n=50). 38 patients required further testing and/or treatment, including 13 specifically tested for autism spectrum disorder (ASD); 12 received an ASD diagnosis (all Asperger syndrome). In total, 48 of the euthanasia requests were accepted and 35 were carried out” (BMJ OPEN). This goes to show that the process of patients being approved for euthanasia is effective due to its ability to diagnose and provide help to those patients who need additional aid and assistance with their physical and mental health.
In conclusion, Euthanasia the act of alleviating uncurable pain with assisted suicide, presents effective strategies and procedures through the use of research, studies, and real-life experiences. Very few countries have made Euthanasia legal because of their moral and ethical beliefs, but progress has been made throughout the globe. Some countries do it to respect a person’s right to make their own decisions and others do it to prevent conflict. Research and studies have shown that the state of California legalized euthanasia in 2015 with strict conditions. Those conditions include multiple tests and procedures performed on the patient before being approved for assisted suicide, to make sure they are in a healthy and correct state of mind to make the decision. Other procedures taken would be brain scans, counseling, medication, rest home aid, etc. To this day, as mentioned before, more than half of the United States supports and is in favor of the act of Euthanasia because it also promotes rights and self-decisions.
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