The Euthanasia Blues

Today, we discussed Euthanasia a.k.a assisted suicide during Issue Analysis class. I never heard the term before and so, I found today's discussion enlightening. Ms.Albita showed the vid up there to us :)

'Euthanasia' from the greek word ευθανασία meaning 'Good Death' refers to the practice of ending a life in a painless manner. Specifically, we discussed human euthanasia, voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia meaning it is with the consent of the person to be euthanized and the latter being when an individual makes a decision for another person to be euthanized because he or she is incapable of doing so (e.g Comatosed).

This issue raised quite a debate but in majority, my classmates were mainly against euthanasia except for certain extreme conditions. Extreme conditions is pretty darn subjective too. All in all, we were as indecisive as the whole world currently are on the issue. There are too many variables to be considered and when human life enters the equation, it is rendered utterly unresolvable.

Those who were 'against' euthansia talked about individual rights. The main ideas being "Who are we to play god and decide he or she should die?", the possibility of a recovery on the basis of "You might never know" and "Miracles can happen" and "If I only have a {insert short period of time} to live, I would like to 'enjoy' it/be with my loved ones".

If I must choose, then I am AGAINST euthanasia.

Why? For all the reasons stated above.

One more thing, during the discussion somehow I ended up mentioning my late aunt who died of cancer. She was in great pain, was given morphine to curb it but ultimately she died a natural death. Before she breathed her last she was consious, got to talk to her eldest son and eldest daughter who came back from Australia to take care of her and recite the shahadah. The cancer had spread to her bones, her body was shutting down, I assure you, indeed she suffered.

Had my aunt been euthanized, she would not have had the chance to talk to her children, or recite the shahadah. As Muslims we are forbidden to commit suicide. Any suffering is to be endured for it is Allah's willing and so be it. In conclusion, in a religious point of view, as a Muslim, I suppose it is probably haram for Muslims to consent for voluntary euthanasia. I'm not sure for the non-voluntary type though.

As a side note, I found myself unable to speak of my aunt much, felt like crying and this reminded me of my cousins. How it must still bring them pain. Still vivid in my memory, the image of my aunt's eldest son as he dug his mother's grave during the funeral. His mud stained shirt. He did not cry during the funeral. Such strength, I mean , how would YOU feel if you were to bury your own mother? Unthinkable. Exactly.

Oh, yes. I forgot to mention a key point during my discussion in class. Our lecturer, Miss Albita, gave us roles to represent various point of views regarding euthanasia. We were divided into five groups namely the human rights organisation, the patient/sick people, family member, spouse and doctors. I was in the patient/sick people group.

Initially, the patient/sick people and the human rights organisation group were the only groups who stood for against euthanasia while the remaining groups supported it. After much discussing the outcome is as I have stated before: Mainly against euthanasia. Through this method of grouping we could analyse the issue in a rather thorough manner.

The groups who initially stood for supporting euthanasia brought up ideas of 'Mercy killing', 'monetory matters', and the redundacy of the existence of people who are in a coma or ones who suffers from PVS (Presistent Vegetative State). Or they would rouse ideas such as "I would rather die than suffer pain for a prolonged time". <---In my opinion this is stupid because I think nobody can actually preceive such a thing until they are actually in such a situation.

To delve deeper in this isuue, mentioning Terri Schiavo's case is a must. Check out her story, and if you will, I would like to know what you think of euthanasia. What is your stand? For? Against? Somewhere in between?

UPDATE: Uh, I might've caused some confusion. By "assisted suicide" I meant PHYSICIAN assicted suicide. =.= As in, doctor assisted suicide usually performed on terminally ill patients. Terminally ill patients are those who're expected to have only UP to 6 more motnths to live.