Euthanasia Can Not Be Properly Regulated

Euthanasia Can Not Be Properly Regulated

Euthanasia still becomes controversy among countries over the past view years. One website about euthanasia defines it as “the intentional killing by act or mission of a dependent human being” (“Euthanasia Definition” 4). Means, when the death is not intended, it is not an act of Euthanasia. As what Dr. “Death” Jack Kevorkian did, I think euthanasia should not be permitted. Therefore, I disagree with euthanasia because of three reasons, religious reason, medical reason and law reason.

The main reason why euthanasia should not be authorized is religious belief. Several religions see euthanasia as a form of murder and morally unacceptable. Islam recognizes the right to live and to die, but the right is a gift from God. God is the only one that can determine the length of our lives and the way our lives end, which is mentioned in Al-quran chapter al-Hajj “And He is the one who gave you life, then He will cause you to die, and then will give you life (again). Lo, man is verily an ingrate” (qtd. in “Eutanasia”). Therefore, euthanasia, no matter how or why, if the aim is to eliminate a person’s life is strictly forbidden in Islamic Law. Moreover, The Catholic Church, in connection with moral teaching on euthanasia and life-support system, has struggled to provide clear guidance about how to handle people who suffer from incurable illness (qtd. in “Euthanasia”). On May 5, 1980, the congregation for the doctrine of faith has published "Declaration on Euthanasia" which outlines the guidelines (“The Sacred Congregation of The Doctrine of Life”). Pope John Paul II, who concerned with the increasing practice of euthanasia, confirmed that euthanasia is the erroneous act of compassion. He said, "True compassion encourages us to endure the suffering of our fellow. Compassion is not killing people, that we cannot endure the distress" (Saunders, 2001). Likewise, Christian perspective to face suicide and murder base on compassion, is from the point of “sanctity of life” as a gift from God. That’s why euthanasia for any reason is contrary to the intent and purpose of the gift. Both, Hindu and Buddha see euthanasia as suicide that can caused bad “karma (qtd. in “Euthanasia”).

The other reason to against euthanasia is medical reason. Allowing euthanasia means to undermine the commitment of doctors and nurses to save their patients. It will lead to less good care for the dying and inhibit the motivation to find new cures or treatments or inventions. In other ways, euthanasia gives too much power to doctors. They will be easily to guide the dying patient to choose euthanasia. Doctors may soon start killing people without bothering with their permission. Besides, the patient might recover against all odds. The diagnosis might be wrong. In today’s medical world knowledge is imperfect and science is constantly improving, therefore, there are cases where disease is being misdiagnosed or studies are being done for new findings of cure.There was an interesting euthanasia case in 2004. On 22 October 2004, a request to perform euthanasia has been filed by a man named Hasan Kusuma because he can not bear to see his wife, Agian Isna Nauli, 33, lay in a coma for two months after delivered their baby. His disability of financial is a reason as well to choose euthanasia for his wife. His requests finally rejected by the District Court. But after five months in a coma, Agian finally awake (Ardi, Nugroho). By this case can be seen, what would happen if euthanasia became legal.

The last reason is breaking the law, especially in Indonesia. Base on Indonesia’s law, KUHP in article 344, states that,” Barang siapa menghilangkan nyawa orang lain atas permintaan orang itu sendiri, yang disebutkannya dengan nyata dan sungguh-sungguh, dihukum penjara selama-lamanya 12 tahun" and so in article 338, 340, 345 and 359. All those articles are formally prohibits euthanasia (Billy).

In conclusion, euthanasia is against the teachings of many religions. Human cannot against the will of God. Islam, Christian, Catholic, Hindu and Buddha are prohibits euthanasia. Just leave it to God, because He is the one who knows the best for us. Furthermore, we cannot let doctors play as a God or give them too much power for their patient. Besides, it counts as a crime and there are several punishments for assisting suicide.

References :

“Euthanasia Definition”. Euthanasia Fact. Web.  4 December 2011.

“Euthanasia”. Wikipedia. 6 November 2011. Web. 27 December 2011.

 Saunders, William. “Straight Answers: The Church's Teaching on Euthanasia”. Yesaya. Web. 28 December 2011

Ardi, Ariyo; Nugroho, Agung. “Agian Isna Nauli Sadar dari Koma”. Liputan 6. 8 January 2005. Web. 2 January 2012.

N, Billy. “Aspek Hukum dalam Pelaksanaan Euthanasia di Indonesia”. Hukum Kesehatan. 15 March 2008. Web. 2 January 2012.