Image Citation: [5]
Written by Elise Park ‘28
Edited by Leopold Li ‘28
While the right to live is widely considered a fundamental human right, upheld by legal systems worldwide, the right to die is one that is not so black and white. It’s a topic that finds itself at the center of a polarizing debate intertwining law, medicine, and morality. As global demographics reflect an aging population, end-of-life care and the decisions surrounding it have become increasingly relevant. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that the global population over 60 years in age will increase from 12% in 2015 to 22% in 2050 [1]. Consequently, annual expenditures for hospice and palliative care are projected to skyrocket, with approximately 20% of healthcare spending attributed solely to population aging in 2025 [2].
As an aging population poses a burden economically to many countries worldwide, the discussion of assisted dying has expanded in recent years. Euthanasia (derived from “good death” in Greek) and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) are both instances of medical intervention that ends a patient’s life. Direct active euthanasia (ADE) involves a deliberate injection, while PAS involves the administration of lethal drugs. PAS is the more widely accepted form of assisted dying; it is legal in eleven states in the United States despite being declared unconstitutional in 1997 by the Supreme Court, while euthanasia is illegal in all states. The countries most recognized for the practice of euthanasia are located in Europe and include Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, in which it accounts for 4.8% of all deaths [3]. Another form of assisted dying, and the most common, is called passive euthanasia, which involves withholding life-prolonging medical treatment. In the modern world of medicine, passive euthanasia remains relatively uncontroversial as an established practice [4].
The arguments in the debate surrounding the legality of euthanasia can be attributed to differences in personal philosophy and culture. Some advocate that patients have the right to decide how and when they die on the basis of bodily autonomy—the idea that everyone has control over their own body. Proponents argue that the decision to end one’s life is considered ethical if they are in pain or suffering unbearably, particularly due to a disease with no cure. Opponents, meanwhile, highlight the key difference between passive and active euthanasia: one involves death due to an underlying disease while the other is deliberate, stressing that euthanasia is a form of murder. Critics argue that ADE and PAS conflict with fundamental ethical principles, such as the moral obligation to preserve human existence and the belief in the intrinsic value of life. They often reference religion and philosophy to support their beliefs, emphasizing the sanctity of life as a gift. Critics advocate for the increased role of palliative care, a system designed to relieve pain and suffering to patients with chronic illnesses, in place of end-of-life practices.
Therefore, whether euthanasia should be legalized or not is ultimately a personal belief, one with a wide-ranging legal and ethical dimension. As the practice becomes increasingly popular in countries outside of the United States, an aging population invites studies, research, and dialogue that will help navigate this polarizing issue.
References
World Health Organization. Ageing and Health [Internet]. World Health Organization. 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
Chen J, Zhao M, Zhou R, Ou W, Pin Mei Yao. How heavy is the medical expense burden among the older adults and what are the contributing factors? A literature review and problem-based analysis. Frontiers in Public Health. 2023 Jun 16;11(1165381).
Davis N. Euthanasia and assisted dying rates are soaring. But where are they legal? [Internet]. The Guardian. 2019. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jul/15/euthanasia-and-assisted-dying-rates-are-soaring-but-where-are-they-legal
Google.com. 2024 [cited 2024 Nov 19]. Available from: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amsj.org/archives/2066&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1731984617882657&usg=AOvVaw1o1v1UuKWD1w_KL7CuPMQk
Kim A. Slate.com. Slate; 2024 [cited 2024 Nov 19].
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