On euthanasia

There is currently in Quebec a debate on euthanasia, on whether it, or at least some aspects of it, should be legalized. I never understood why there was even any debate on the matter.

Euthanasia is definitely something I approve, mostly because I do not see any argument against it. There needs to be a solid framework surrounding it to make sure it is not abused, that is for sure, and I think even the most liberal-minded person would understand this. Some conditions need to be met, at the very least there must be a terribly debilitating disease or a terminal one. Once those conditions are met and the individual lucidly asks for euthanasia, I don’t see why it should be illegal. Who are we to force other people to live in sometimes atrocious conditions? We are not under their skin, nor do we share the same threshold to pain and duress.

Like I said, there needs to be a framework, so that people cannot approve euthanasia for other people in their stead, avoiding fears that children might "euthanize" their parents for various reasons (like insurance gain, or just to get rid of them). A system could be set in place that would allow people to sign off euthanasia: once this paper is signed, no one else than the individual in question can authorize euthanasia. Maybe even them, if they’re afraid some mental conditions (such as depression) might push them to accept euthanasia when they would not otherwise.

Once the legal technicalities ensuring there would be no abuse of the system are in place, what remains of the arguments against euthanasia? Respect of life? What of it? Does respect of life extends to the point where we, as a society, have a right to “force” people to live? We are not talking about teenagers committing suicide because they are bullied, or because of a broken heart – we are talking about people, young and old, who do not have any hope left to improve their condition; maybe they’ll die in the following weeks, or months. Maybe their condition will deteriorate to the point where they will become vegetative, comatose… the fear of losing one’s control over their own body can crush the strongest of minds. The prospect of being a thought in an unmoving shell is one of my worst fears.

I think life is full of example of courageous people who overcame such ailments; for instance Stephen Hawking, who suffers from ALS, was given a very short time to live when diagnosed. He did well, however, as we all know, despite this. However, people who overcome diseases supposed terminal or who manage to live despite extremely crippling illnesses are not the norm. More power to those who choose to live and make something out of it. But reality is different, and I truly think one’s fate rests in one’s hands. Life is worth living, but it has to come to its conclusion at some point. Why linger when there is nothing more to be had? Why linger when life is made a living hell because of a disease or a freak accident? Even more importantly, why is it that other people can decide when the pain is over?