The debate on whether we should legalize assisted-suicide or not has been a hot one for quite some time now. With people on both ends voicing quite convincing arguments, it becomes blurry on what I feel is the best option.
One of the arguments in favor of assisted suicide is that we have the right not to suffer. Essentially, if a patient has been diagnosed and the prognosis doesn’t seem to be good, they should be able to decide when they die rather than living out their life in pain.
Another argument is that a person should be able to decide what is best for themselves over a government official. Using the same scenario as before, if a person is near death as it is, how can someone else feel they know what is best for them when it isn't their body?
People in favor of this understand that death is a personal rather than social experience and needs to be treated as such.
Another aspect considered is the cost of "living". It has been shown that paying for the medication to assist in a suicide is far less expensive than it is to continue care. The money that is saved could be distributed out into programs that need better budgets.
While there are many arguments for it, there are just as many that are against. One of which is that making it legal could unwillingly cause a social divide between different economic areas, racial backgrounds, and other demographics. While this may seem irrelevant to the issue, it has shown areas in which this could be true.
Generally, a person from a much lower economic background will not have the same medical care as someone from a higher economic status. Two people could have had the same exact disease; however, one of them may have greater access to healthcare opportunities. Because of this, the individual of lower economic status faces the decision to live in pain or take themselves out of pain, while the other can live out life in comfort.
Another argument against assisted suicide is due to religion. Some feel that it is an act of trying to play "God". They say that if it is Gods will for someone to die, then they will. Otherwise, they will live no matter the circumstance.
After reading the arguments and seeing the different sides of the issue, I feel that it should be legalized under strict guidelines. If a person has been diagnosed with a fatal disease that causes them pain, in which they cannot be cured, they should be able to choose this after having gone through a psychological examination. I don’t believe that a person who has had a bad day should be able to choose this, but it shouldn’t be made illegal where those who truly need it cannot get it.
