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  • Essay / Legalizing death with dignity: autonomy, compassion and guarantees

    Table of contentsAutonomy and personal choiceRelief of sufferingEthical and legal guaranteesConclusionThe concept of death with dignity, often synonymous with physician-assisted suicide, has generated considerable debate in the ethical and legal fields. spheres.Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay This speech focuses on whether people suffering from terminal illnesses should have the legal right to end their lives with medical assistance. Supporters argue that such a right honors personal autonomy and relieves unbearable suffering, while opponents argue that it violates the sanctity of life and can lead to potential abuse. This essay argues that dying with dignity should be legally permitted, supported by well-researched evidence, statistical data, and reputable sources.Autonomy and Personal ChoiceOne of the strongest arguments for dying with dignity is the principle of personal autonomy. Individuals should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives, especially when facing terminal illness and unbearable suffering. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 66% of Americans believe that there are circumstances in which a patient should be allowed to die (Pew Research Center, 2013). This statistic reflects a societal recognition of personal autonomy and the desire to control one's end-of-life decisions. The ethical basis of this argument is rooted in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, who posited that respecting autonomy means recognizing the capacity of individuals to make rational choices about their own lives. In the context of a terminal illness, where patients often experience profound physical and psychological distress, denying them the right to die with dignity can be interpreted as a violation of their autonomy. By legalizing physician-assisted suicide, society would recognize and respect the individual's right to determine the course of their own life and death. Relief of Suffering Another compelling argument for a dignified death is its ability to relieve suffering. Terminal illnesses often result in prolonged periods of pain and debility, leaving patients with a diminished quality of life. The Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights that pain management, despite advances, is not always effective for terminally ill patients, with approximately 40% of these patients experiencing significant pain in their final days (Journal of Palliative Medicine, 2015). In such scenarios, dying with dignity can offer a compassionate alternative, allowing patients to avoid unnecessary suffering. The argument for alleviating suffering is strengthened by the experiences of countries where dying with dignity is legal. In Oregon, where the Death with Dignity Act was signed into law in 1997, an Oregon Health Authority report said 90 percent of patients who opted for physician-assisted suicide cited loss of autonomy and dignity. as their main reasons, with 51% citing poor pain control or concerns about pain (Oregon Health Authority, 2020). These statistics highlight the importance of offering patients the opportunity to end their lives on their own terms, without unbearable suffering. Ethical and legal guarantees Opponents often argue that legalizing death with dignity.