Contreras Montes 1

Erika Contreras Montes

Holly Guile
English 1010 051
February 1, 2015
Conflict in America
Euthanasia, also known as assisted suicide is a growing conflict in America and the
world. Many people turn to it because they feel it is a way to gain control over their life or put an
end to it. People want to terminate the pain and suffering. They do not want to become a burden
to their family and/or society, they need an environment that will make them feel wanted and
loved. The whole human race has one particular need in common, the feeling of belonging.
Helping people in suicide does not convey compassion. The ill, the elderly, the depressed, and
infants who are born with diseases are all at risk. I believe euthanasia is wrong because death
should only be Gods decision, the process of dying is an important part of life and humans
should be cherished regardless of their physical condition.
We are becoming a culture of death quicker than we realize. Euthanasia, suicide, and
abortion are the downfalls to our society. Do not believe that people can look at these situations
and discuss them as "ethical" questions. Killing is killing no matter what the circumstances.
Murder, suicide, euthanasia, abortion; they all lead to death, and it is not something that should
be pre-meditated. Everyone has a conscience, whoever has participated in a suicide or abortion
will be consumed by guilt one day.

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As one example in the case study of Jim Romney, a retired school principle from
Portland, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs disease. People with this type of illness will ever live
more than two years after being diagnosed with this type of disease. His physicians made it clear
that the disease would destroy his body, by leaving his entire body paralyzed but his mind would
still continue to function. After hearing this Romney made it known that when the disease
became unbearable he would end his life with legally assisted suicide (Last Wish 2).
In this scenario we all can understand how this man would want to end his life but it is
not his and should not be his choice or anyone elses, but Gods to make. Many faith groups
within Christian, Muslim, Jewish and other religions believe that God gives life and therefore
only God should take it away (Robinson 1). That is way it has been since the beginning of life. If
assisted suicide would be put into effect it would be uncivilized.
Many individuals understand the process of dying and know that this is a difficult process
to go through but everyone will have to go through it someday, it is just a matter of when, where,
and of what. People are cheating themselves if they shortcut the dying process, they are robbing
themselves of probably the most meaningful time in their life (Goyette 2). He not only
understands death, but also life. Goyette shows how important it is to spend this most precious
time with their loved ones; so make the best of what you have before it is gone.
Groups that promote assisted suicide seem to publicize cases where people have a
terminal illness and are in so much pain that they want to end their life. The main fuel to this
controversy comes from many directions: Jack Kevorkian, religious factions, and the pro-choice
alliance. No matter what direction it is fueled from the decision to help someone kill themselves
is not anyones to make. Kevorkian thought that euthanasia was a great thing because it would
put money in his pockets. Pro-choice alliances feel that it is the persons choice to live or die, and

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not anyone elses decision, but theirs. Which is the same thing for abortion pro-choice alliances
feel it is up to the woman if she wants to have the baby or not.
Kevorkians first assisted suicide in 1990 ignited national debate. His undoing came
when instead of simply providing deadly drugs, he injected them into the arm of Thomas Youk, a
52 year old man with ALS which is also known as Lou Gehrigs (Shapiro). If someone just
simply gives people drugs to kill themselves they are technically not doing the kill, but if you
actually inject the lethal drugs into someones it is practically murder. The courts ruled that it was
second degree murder in the state of Michigan and that Jack Kevorkian would be sentenced to
life in prison for his actions of Thomas Youk.
Many people learn early on in life that everyone is unique and special in their own way.
Everyone can learn from one another. The ill, the elderly, and the depressed are hugely important
in learning about how to deal with stress and life-altering experiences. When we are healthy we
all take advantage of it. When people become sick we should watch, and learn from the mistakes
that they went through. We could try to help prevent some of the illnesses that happen. One of
the ways we could help try to prevent is to spend more money on research. Try to stay healthy
throughout your lifetime so that such illnesses do not occur.
Do not let our society get any worse off than it already is. Euthanasia is wrong because
death should only be Gods decision, the process of dying is an important part of life and people
should be cherished regardless of their physical condition. Who would want their children to
dispose of them when they are old and grey? Many people should realize that they can learn
from their grandparents and can pass on their knowledge. A culture of death is something we can
all benefit from not having.

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Works Cited
Clark, Thomas W. Thou Shall Not Play God. The Humanist. July/Aug.
1995 : 2. Wilson Select Plus. 15 Mar. 2015.
Courts Reject Right to Assisted Suicide. The Christian Century. 1623. July 1997: 2. Wilson Select Plus. 15 Mar. 2015.
Emanuel, Ezekiel J. Deaths Door. The New Republic. 17 May. 1999.
Wilson Select Plus. 16 Mar. 2015.
Kiernan, Stephen. Powerful Lesson for Living. The Burlington Press.
30 Nov. 2003 : A01. Galegroup. 16 Mar. 2015.

Milln, Luis. "Controversial "dying with Dignity" Legislation Brings Discussion around
Euthanasia to the Forefront." Law In Quebec. N.p., 23 July 2014. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.