Bulger 1

Destiny Bulger

Professor Collins

ENGL 1301

30 October 2017

Mercy Killing

The idea of dying by mercy killing is controversial, many believe the concept is a

murderous act of violence, yet others believe it as a courageous act to end suffering. A topic

controversial globally and politically. Euthanasia is, the act or practice of killing or permitting

death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (such as persons or domestic animals) in a

relatively painless way for reasons of mercy, as stated by merriam-webster.com. In April of

2012, author, Robin Gibson wrote in the journal titled ISAA Review: journal of the Independent

Scholars Association of Australia, that Euthanasia, meaning good death, is a word coined

from two Greek words, eu (good) and thanatos (death). He also widened physician-assisted

suicide to not just the general term of euthanasia, but also passive and active as well as

voluntary, non-voluntary, and involuntary (Gibson). Although as time goes on not just has

physician-assisted suicide become quite the gossip; it has also become a controversy. Countries

and or states all over the globe have become either for, or against the act of euthanasia.

Euthanasia has become prominent, because the right to decide to end pain and suffering and live

are both genuine decisions in which each side has devoted supporters.

Euthanasia is supported by many. To some ending the pain and suffering of a human

being is more crucial than watching them suffer, because to them they are still humans searching

for a good quality of life. In May of 2010, Author, David Swanton wrote in his article titled Part

1. Arguments for euthanasia, that It is difficult to deny patients the option of voluntary
 Bulger 2

euthanasia when the patient considers voluntary euthanasia is in their own best interest. He

stated then again that it is ones choice to choose on their own what is right for oneself, for

voluntary euthanasia is humane and moral because it is what they choose for him or herself as a

human with the right to choose (Swanton). That said the rights as a human is stated to be a

necessary and it should always be one's right to make a choice to live or die. Many people stand

for the right to end pain and suffering of the ill, as many also stand for the right of a full life.

People also go with the opposing side of euthanasia; one main reason and toll for that is

being Religion. Christians to be more specific; believe that all life is given by God as a gift and

choosing the route of ending a life is taking advantage of that gift. Many scriptures from the

bible support their beliefs; The english standard version (ESV) of first Corinthians six:nineteen-

twenty (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) states ... Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the

Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought

with a price. So glorify God in your body. Also mentioned by bbc.co.uk, ...nor should anyone

ask for euthanasia for themselves because no-one has the right to value anyone, even themselves,

as worthless. Religion is an opposing factor to euthanasia because to Christians the life of a

human is more important than giving up a gift given by God. Many people support the act of

euthanasia just as many are against the voluntary act.

Mercy killing is supported because as a human being the right of free choice is crucial

and significant to many. A human being, for example; has rights to things such as speech,

religion, and freedom so to speak. That said; many believe the rights of mercy killing and

choosing when their time is up is legal and logical. Mercy killing is the act of giving a human an

injection and or oral medication. Yet many will attempt to hassen death by eliminating the intake

of food and or water. With that example stated; people believe mercy killing is their own human
 Bulger 3

rights; it is legal to end their own life by suffering and eliminating food and water intake, yet it is

illegal to attempt physician-assisted suicide and have the last moments of life be peaceful which

ends in rapid time. Our legal system accepts that people have a legal right to choose when to

die, as demonstrated by the fact that suicide is legal. As stated by debatewise.org.

Physician-assisted suicide is opposed, for many believe euthanasia is an act of murder

and or just simply an act of suicide.

Mercy killing is a controversial topic globally and politically. Many support the act

believing it ends suffering just as it is a human's right to choose their time. As others believe

euthanasia is against their religious beliefs and it is also an act of murder. The controversy will

endlessly remain because both sides can not come to an ultimatum; its ending is always a grey

area.
 Bulger 4

Works Cited

1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Holy Bible Esv Bible, Crossway Books, 2016.

Euthanasia and Assisted Dying. BBC.co.uk, 8 Mar. 2009,

 Bulger 5

www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/christianethics/euthanasia_1.shtml.

Euthanasia. Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster,

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euthanasia.

Gibson, Robin. ISAA Review: Journal of the Independent Scholars Association of Australia.

Gale, Literature Resource Center, Apr. 2012.

Swanton, David. Part 1. Arguments for Euthanasia. Gale, Literature Resource Center, May

2010.