Euthanasia should be legalized around the world. Euthanasia is a controversial topic around
the world and the legality of euthanasia varies from country to country. In this essay
euthanasia will be compared in three different countries, firstly, the Dutch healthcare system,
secondly, the US and thirdly, Mexico.
Firstly, The Dutch approach to euthanasia is a good example for other countries to follow.
Luckily for people in The Netherlands euthanasia is legalized. Therefore, people in The
Netherlands have the option to choose euthanasia, however euthanasia in The Netherlands
is permitted under strict conditions (Ministerie van Algemene zaken, 2023). For instance, that
two independent doctors need to verify that the patient is in a state of unbearable suffering.
Furthermore, the patient making the request must be mentally competent. The regulations of
the Dutch healthcare system provide patients with the right to end their life in peace and with
dignity.
Secondly, the approach to euthanasia in America is sadly to the contrary of the Dutch
healthcare system. In America euthanasia is still a controversial topic, with only a few states
legalizing it. However, some states allow for physician-assisted suicide, which allow patients
the option to end their lives with the assistance of a physician (The New York Times, 2015).
Nevertheless, people should have the right to make their own decisions about their life,
especially if they are suffering from a terminal illness or unbearable pain. Euthanasia is a
personal choice; everyone should have the right to choose how they die. That’s why
euthanasia should also be legalized in America.
However, there must be strict regulations of euthanasia, to prevent misuse of the law.
Thirdly, Mexico, unfortunately Mexico doesn’t view euthanasia any differently than America.
Euthanasia is a controversial and sensitive issue in Mexico. Sadly, for the people of Mexico
there is no possibility to end their lives through the humane process of euthanasia.
Opponents believe that euthanasia goes against the sanctity of life and that it is a doctor’s
duty to do everything in their power to keep a person alive. Euthanasia should also be
legalized in Mexico because these people are no different from others and they should also
have the right to make their own decisions about the end of their lives. However, it is
important to ensure that this decision is made with informed consent and that the patient is
not being coerced or influenced in any way.
To conclude, I state that the Dutch healthcare system is an impressive example of how a
society can balance respect for autonomy and individual choice with the need for humane,
compassionate, and carefully regulated care. As a proponent of the system, I belief that it is a
powerful tool for providing dignified death and alleviating suffering for those who request it.
As long as stringent oversight and safeguards remain in place, the Dutch euthanasia system
will continue to be a model of effective, ethical end-of-life care.
, Maud van Ekeren - Module 6 – Second and final version
Euthanasia should be legalized around the world. Euthanasia is a controversial topic around
the world and the legality of euthanasia varies from country to country. In this essay
euthanasia will be compared in three different countries, firstly, the Dutch healthcare system,
secondly, The United States of America and thirdly, Mexico.
Firstly, The Dutch approach to euthanasia is a good example for other countries to follow.
Luckily for people in The Netherlands euthanasia has been legalized. Therefore, people in
The Netherlands have the option to choose euthanasia, however euthanasia in The
Netherlands is permitted under strict conditions (Ministerie van Algemene zaken, 2023). For
instance, two independent doctors who need to verify that the patient is in a state of
unbearable suffering. Furthermore, the patient making the request must be mentally
competent. The regulations of the Dutch healthcare system provide patients with the right to
end their life in peace and with dignity.
Secondly, the approach to euthanasia in America is sadly to the contrary of the Dutch
healthcare system. In America euthanasia is still a controversial topic, with only a few states
that legalized it. However, some states allowed for physician-assisted suicide, which allow
patients the option to end their lives with the assistance of a physician (The New York Times,
2015). Nevertheless, people should have the right to make their own decisions about their
life, especially if they are suffering from a terminal illness or unbearable pain. Euthanasia is a
personal choice; everyone should have the right to choose how they die. That is why
euthanasia should also be legalized in America. However, there must be strict regulations of
euthanasia, to prevent misuse of the law.
Thirdly, Mexico, unfortunately Mexico does not view euthanasia any differently than America.
Euthanasia is a controversial and sensitive issue in Mexico. Sadly, for the people of Mexico
there is no possibility to end their lives through the humane process of euthanasia. It is
believed that euthanasia goes against the sanctity of life and that it is a doctors duty to do
everything in their power to keep a person alive (Thpanorama, 2018). Euthanasia should
also be legalized in Mexico because these people are no different from others and they
should also have the right to make their own decisions about the end of their lives. My friend,
Lorena, stated that she found the experience with her grandmother that could not do
euthanasia very inhuman (L. Ramírez, personal communication, May 01, 2023).
To conclude, I state that the Dutch healthcare system is an impressive example of how a
society can balance respect for autonomy and individual choice with the need for humane,
compassionate, and carefully regulated care. As a proponent of the system, I believe that it is
a powerful tool for providing dignified death and alleviating suffering for those who request it.
As long as stringent oversight and safeguards remain in place, the Dutch euthanasia system
will continue to be a model of effective, ethical end-of-life care.
REFERENCES
Ministerie van Algemene Zaken. (2023, 13 februari). Euthanasie en de wet: sterven met
hulp van een arts. Levenseinde en euthanasie / Rijksoverheid.nl.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/levenseinde-en-euthanasie/euthanasie
The New York Times. (2015, 24 mei). Jack Kevorkian and the right to Die / Retro Report /
The New York Times [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=J_EKwSXOsVE
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