No Pain; The Greatest Gain
Who decides?
No one wants to struggle through their last breaths in pain and chagrin, supported by a cocktail of medications. In developed countries all over the world, this is what thousands of our elderly face with the deterioration of their health. This is their reward for a lifetime of knowledge shared, generosity, determination and hardship. In developing countries, the situation is even more shameful. Many hospitals in developing countries do not even have access to pain relieving drugs such as morphine or opioids.
It is estimated that 80% of terminal cancer patients and 50% of those dying with AIDS experience moderate to severe pain at the closing of their lives, lasting on average 90 days. Their pain is often managed by several drugs, and in some cases can only be alleviated with sedation. Despite this, many still experience some degree of pain. Why, though, is it necessary for them to die in discomfort? What if they could be offered an immediate, painless end to their distress? Legalising and standardising euthanasia and assisted suicide in all countries could be one of the greatest mercies performed by today’s able bodied.
Euthanasia is typically defined as the intentional act of painlessly killing another person, because they are suffering a terminal and incurable illness. Definitions, however, are not the most appropriate reference when dealing with a topic such as death, and dying. Dying is final, an ultimatum. For some though, it brings the greatest relief. Their only desire is to die, preferably on their own terms. Does control over your own life not extend to control over your death?
Pain can dramatically reduce quality of life. It is often accompanied by stress, anxiety and depression, not just for the one subjected to it, but family and friends as well. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are as much an issue for those associated as for the subject seeking an end. It can be a profound relief for loved ones to see their friend or relative pass peacefully, knowing they are no longer in pain. This seemingly humane action however, is not without conflict. Many are arrested or trialled each year for their roles in assisted suicide or euthanasia. More often than not, it is at the request of a friend or relative who is incapable of enacting the deed themselves.
In early 2007, John Elliot flew to Zurich, Switzerland. He had an appointment with the organization Dignitas, an appointment with death. Dying a slow and agonising death from multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells, Elliott, a medical professional himself, was audaciously determined to die by his own means. “I want to exit this world free and with my head held high”, he stated calmly, in the hours before his death. His death was an assisted suicide. He drank a small amount of barbiturate sodium pentobarbital with water provided to him by the service Dignitas, and in a matter of minutes had peacefully passed away. It was a moment he had planned months in advance, his wife by his side and cognac in hand. He was free of pain and full of gratitude. He died the death he had dreamed of, one which was far from the reality he would have been forced to endure should he have not made his pilgrimage across the world.
Why, though was it necessary for him to travel halfway across the world? Indeed, his very death was recorded in a bid to raise awareness of the benefits of assisted suicide in his home county of Australia. “I am sharing my story to help our politicians understand why people must be allowed control and responsibility in dying, just as they do in living”, he explained in his statement submitted to The Age. His crusade is but one of many as people everywhere begin the fight for their right to die.
It is apparent the opinions held by politicians toward euthanasia, but what of the general public? According to recent surveys: 72% of Americans, 81% of Australians and 82% of British support voluntary euthanasia. 82% of Scottish support medically assisted death. With such obvious majorities in opinion, it would appear a natural reaction to re-address laws concerning euthanasia and assisted suicide in the countries mentioned. America is currently leading the wave of change with two states now accepting voluntary, medically assisted suicide. The Australian government however, remains staunch in its anti- euthanasia and assisted suicide belief. This decision drives thousands of Australians to adopt more violent, less precise methods of suicide each year, in an attempt to achieve the permanent reprieve they so desire.
Many systems of belief, including Christianity and Islam, are not accepting of euthanasia or assisted suicide as a means of death. Spokes-groups of these religions are protesting government actions regarding the decriminalisation of the acts, declaring the deed a crime against the way of the divine. “When he denies or neglects his fundamental relationship to God, man thinks he is his own rule and measure, with the right to demand that society guarantee him the ways and means of deciding what to do with his life in full and complete autonomy”, affirmed the Catholic Doctor’s Association of Victoria. There are also fears the law will be abused in order to achieve reduced hospital debt, or faster access to bequeathed monies.
Both of these arguments are voided by the emplacement of legal documentation, requiring both medical professional and subject, or subject’s relatives to submit witnessed declarations of their intent to undertake the act. Such a system is already in place in the states and countries in which medically assisted suicide is legal. Also, there are specialising members of the court who deal with debatable matters. Though the system is not perfect, as all legal systems have loopholes and flaws, it has already brought thousands the unequivocal peace they desired. It is unjust for religious personnel to enforce their views or beliefs on others as they are. The decision should rightfully be open to all applicable, should they be for it or against.
As an aging population, euthanasia and assisted suicide should be an issue of national awareness and investigation. Making euthanasia and assisted suicide legal and routine in all countries would be the most effective action we, as the younger generation can enact to ensure that no person must suffer a painful and drawn out death. As a teenager today, the twilight years seem incomprehensibly far away. If, though, in 60 years time when we ourselves are elderly, there is still no option but to endure an agonising and slow death, how many of us will suffer?
