Death With Dignity
I recently read an article in the New York Times
regarding a family who faced a challenging time in their lives. The article
described the life and death of a 60 year old father and husband who taught at
a day care center. The man was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
also known as A.L.S. or Lou Gehrig’s disease just two years prior to his death
and according to his wife; he was not able to die in the manner he has wished. His
wife also stated that her husband wanted to have the option to end his life but
did not because “death with dignity” law had not been passed in the state of
Massachusetts. A.L.S. is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects
nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. This terminal illness has
no course of treatment or hope of recovery. Before death, the disease can leave the
patient totally paralyzed.
The “death with dignity” act was passed in both
Oregon in 1997 and Washington in 2009 giving patients suffering from a terminal
illness with no hope of recovery the right to receive a lethal medication from
a physician to voluntarily end their lives. The wife of the Massachusetts man
has hope that this law will be passed in her state so no other family has to go
through the same painful death as her husband. However, Catholic’s heavily
populate the state of Massachusetts and are opposed to the direct, intentional,
and purposeful taking of a human life. Therefore if the law ends up on the
ballot in November, advocates for the law may have a difficult time retrieving
votes.
This law poses and ethical dilemma between pro life
advocates and death with dignity advocates. Pro life advocates believe that the
passing of voluntary killing will promote involuntary killing in the future. Whereas
dignity advocates believe that with proper restrictions on the drug and
qualifications to receive the drug, patients will have the right to die with
dignity and peace.
Like many people, I am on the fence about passing
the law. Taking the life of a human whether it’s voluntary or involuntary is still
ultimately ending a life, and that goes against everything many of us have been
taught. Who are we to decide when it’s time to die? Does this mean we are
trying to play God or any other higher being one may serve? For now, I will
remain on the fence about the decision, for one may never be able to decide
unless we are put into a situation such as the wife and husband of
Massachusetts.
Link to New York Times Article:
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