Essay on Issue of Euthanasia - Terri Schavio Case

All of us die; there is a death every second around the world. Some of us choose the way we will die but most of us have no control over it. Most of us don't want to think about the end, or tragic events that might happen to us. The thought can be overwhelming for some and others have already made up their mind on what their end of life decision will be. If someone hasn't made the decision on how to handle the situation if something happen to them, then who has the right to make it for them? Should it be the one closes to you? If there is no plan then a form of Euthanasia will be decided and sometimes that decision is one that not everyone agrees on. Many will disagree with me and my argument against any form of Euthanasia.

A controversial issue known as Euthanasia is an example of death by means of a direct action. Death by means of a direct action occurs when and individual dies as a result of another's actions. There are two types of Euthanasia both of which are important to differentiate from when arguing about such a controversial topic: Active Euthanasia and Passive Euthanasia. Active Euthanasia is administering the patient with a lethal injection whereas Passive Euthanasia is allowing the patient to die whether it is by cutting them off of whatever might be keeping them alive or simply just letting nature take its course. After reading Setting the Stage by Caplan my understanding of all forms of Euthanasia has changed, and I will discuss my argument against all forms of Euthanasia in this paper.

A perfect example of non-voluntary Passive Euthanasia is the Terri Schavio case; she was a young woman who had a heart attack which lead to her being in a Permanent Vegetative State. This is when the battle to keep her alive began. Her husband was her proxy, even though she didn't have a living will her husband said that they discussed their plan and she would never want to be in this state. Her family disagreed with him and said that she was Roman Catholic and she would never want to end her life this way. Terri's parents were able to get from many religious leaders and groups; there were numerous Politian's that supported the family in their efforts to keep her a live including Jedd Bush governor of Florida at the time. According to Caplan's article Republican law makers felt this was "a great political issue" (The Case of Terri Schiavo, Caplan, pg.126). I'm not sure if they really cared about the real issue of Terri Schavio or if they wanted the publicity. There were also Religious extremist that tried to stop Micheal Schavio. There were so many plans to change the laws and make new ones, after doing research I was able to find much on what was changed after her death. I support the feelings of the Schidlner's but I don't support the way that some of the people handled the situation. I think that the Politian's and media took advantage of the situation to gain publicity. According to the Caplan article Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) accused the Republican admiration and congressional majority of using Ms. Schiavo as their political pawn to kowtow to their conservative base. I don't believe that they were working for Terri's best interest it was all about them and the votes and support that they can get by "supporting" Terri Schiavo and the fight for her life.

I agree with Singer's point of view that was discussed on the power point slide, he stated that "there is little moral difference in passive and active Euthanasia. Singer stated: Withdrawal of ordinary treatment is moral equivalent to active killing" (Euthanasia, Bioethics, Week 7 PPP, Stramondo Feb.2011). How is Euthanasia of any kind moral? Who are we to play God? Many people look at euthanasia as "playing god" and take on views that support the idea only god has the right to give and take a humans life, or that life is a gift from god therefore only he should be able to end such a gift. This is a view that I support, I was very bias when I first started my research on the different types of Euthanasia and the Terri Schavio case. I don't think anyone has the right to take anyone's life no matter what the situation. Many will argue that it's cruel to leave someone in a state where they are suffering, but isn't