APA References:

Nhs.uk,. (2015). Euthanasia and assisted suicide – NHS Choices. Retrieved 10 May 2015, from http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Euthanasiaandassistedsuicide/Pages/Introduction.aspx

The Patients Right To Choose:

The Huffington Post,. (2015). How Religion Affects Americans’ Support For Euthanasia. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/19/americans-support-euthanasia_n_5510949.html

Bingham, J. (2014). Assisted dying: more than 300 terminally ill people a year committing suicide. Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/assisted-dying/11163992/Assisted-dying-more-than-300-terminally-ill-people-a-year-committing-suicide.html

Un.org,. (2015). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

Patients’ Consent:

Public.health.oregon.gov,. (2015). Death with Dignity Act. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from https://public.health.oregon.gov/ProviderPartnerResources/Evaluationresearch/deathwithdignityact/Pages/index.aspx

Ama-assn.org,. (2015). Opinion 2.211 – Physician-Assisted Suicide. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-ethics/code-medical-ethics/opinion2211.page?

Willacy, D. (2015). Ideals and the Hippocratic Oath. Medical information. | Patient.co.uk. Patient.co.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Ideals-and-the-Hippocratic-Oath.htm

Site designed and developed bka interactive ltd, N. (2015). Commissioner – The Code of Rights. Hdc.org.nz. Retrieved 10 May 2015, from http://www.hdc.org.nz/the-act–code/the-code-of-rights

Youtube.com (2014) The Brittany Maynard Fund  Retrieved 10 May 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPfe3rCcUe,

Effects on Family & Friends:

Webmd.com,. (2015). Grief and Grieving-Symptoms. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/balance/tc/grief-and-grieving-symptoms

Swarte, N. (2003). Effects of euthanasia on the bereaved family and friends: a cross sectional study. BMJ, 327(7408), 189-0. doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7408.189

Debate.org,. (2015). Do the family members of terminal patients have a higher approval rating for euthanasia than the general public?. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.debate.org/opinions/do-the-family-members-of-terminal-patients-have-a-higher-approval-rating-for-euthanasia-than-the-general-public

Counter Claim:

Nizkor.org,. (2015). Fallacy: Slippery Slope. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/slippery-slope.html

MP, E. (2010). Euthanasia could be forced on patients: MP. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.smh.com.au//breaking-news-national/euthanasia-could-be-forced-on-patients-mp-20101117-17×10.html

Life.org.nz,. (2015). Alternatives to Euthanasia | The Life Resources Charitable Trust. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.life.org.nz/euthanasia/euthanasiakeyissues/alternatives-to-euthanasia/

(2011) A legal right to die: responding to slippery slope and abuse arguments. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3185895/pdf/conc-18-206.pdf

Stuff,. (2015). Legal euthanasia not a ‘slippery slope’. Retrieved 10 May 2015, from http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/7684643/Legal-euthanasia-not-a-slippery-slope

Other Links:

Life.org.nz,. (2015). Euthanasia and Public Opinion Polls | The Life Resources Charitable Trust. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.life.org.nz/euthanasia/euthanasiamediakeyissues/public-opinion-polls

DEVLIN, C. (2015). Euthanasia here soon, says advocate. Stuff. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/67074484/Euthanasia-will-be-in-NZ-soon-says-advocate

the Guardian,. (2015). Chile’s president ‘overcome by emotion’ after ill girl, 14, makes euthanasia plea. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/27/chiles-president-overcome-by-emotion-after-ill-girl-14-makes-euthanasia-plea

Davidson, H. (2014). Friends of dead euthanasia campaigner want support for ‘right to die’ bill. the Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/01/friends-of-dead-euthanasia-campaigner-want-support-for-right-to-die-bill

the Guardian,. (2009). Why we should make euthanasia legal | Kailash Chand. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/society/joepublic/2009/jul/01/euthanasia-assisted-suicide-uk

3news.co.nz,. (2015). Groups to participate in euthanasia hearing. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/groups-to-participate-in-euthanasia-hearing-2015042508#axzz3YIKp5bql

Listverse,. (2013). 10 Arguments For Legalizing Euthanasia – Listverse. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://listverse.com/2013/09/12/10-arguments-for-legalising-euthanasia/

Bbc.co.uk,. (2015). BBC – Ethics – Euthanasia: Pro-euthanasia arguments. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/euthanasia/infavour/infavour_1.shtml

Running, L. (2015). Pro/Con: Euthanasia. Carlyle Observer. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.carlyleobserver.com/opinion/editorial/pro-con-euthanasia-1.1824821

TVNZ,. (2015). Voluntary euthanasia a human right, says visiting Dutch expert. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/voluntary-euthanasia-human-right-says-visiting-dutch-expert-6248683

TVNZ,. (2015). Why should I slash my wrists? Cancer patient reignites euthanasia debate. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/why-should-i-slash-my-wrists-cancer-patient-reignites-euthanasia-debate-6236204

3news.co.nz,. (2015). Poll: Voluntary euthanasia has growing support. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/poll-voluntary-euthanasia-has-growing-support-2015011813#axzz3YIKp5bql

The New Zealand Herald,. (2015). Doctor aims to alleviate fears about euthanasia – Wanganui Chronicle – Wanganui Chronicle News. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11405428

Dyingwithdignity.ca,. (2015). 80% 0f Canadians in favour of euthanasia! | Dying with Dignity. Retrieved 9 May 2015, from http://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/2012/07/27/80-0f-canadians-in-favour-of-euthanasia.php

Comments

Hello ! I like your title, very witty and capturing to the reader. You make very valid points and I agree that they should be banned however there are many consequences that can happen due to it potentially becoming legal(black market, underground crime) but as I read your reply to Lochans post, I look forward to read your counter arguments to them in your future claims. There are a few spelling mistakes but other than that I look forward to reading your future claims!

Hi there,
You make a valid point in your argument and I agree that the influence can be very harmful to parents’ children. However, it could be possible that children were influenced by people other than their parents such as peers from school? Some children may smoke despite their parents not being smokers because they want to conform to peer pressure. My parents used to smoke too but l didn’t get influenced as I saw the long term effects it caused and I didn’t want to endure that myself so it was more of a motivation towards ‘not wanting to smoke’. But as you stated, 60% is a significant amount so your point is very valid.
Nevertheless, I like that you mentioned the Ministry Of Health as this is a legit source and also that you back up your evidence very nicely, your writing style is very intriguing and easy to read/ understand. Keep it up 🙂

Laine Yeager

A very interesting and controversial choice of topic, I like how decisive you are with your topic and that you are very assertive towards wanting the death penalty to become legal again.
Although I am half-hearted about the issue, I look forward to the points you will be making in your upcoming arguments to give me more insight. I do agree that they families suffer traumatically due to their loss and that the killer is still able to live and I hear they get treated pretty well such as being supplied with a last dinner meal requested by the killer whereas the families are still grieving the loss.
One thing I would say is that I remember we are advised to not use rhetorical questions (“granted yes they will be sent to jail but in some cases how long for??”) as they give an unanswered response and maybe more link anchors such as statistics of how many families go into deep depression post murder etc .
Other than that, a great first sub-claim! Can’t wait to read the rest 🙂

Hi there,
I like the quote you used at the start as it goes very well with your claim. I also like how you used statistics from other countries to show how NZ should reconsider their laws prohibiting the death penalty since America has a more open mind approach towards it.
“is as if we are putting offenders rights before those who have been killed and it is extremely unfair”, a valid point as this made me think twice about my thoughts towards the death penalty. You could maybe use statistics/evidence that show the post traumatic stress that the families of the victims go through so that it shows how unfair making it illegal it really is.
Other than that, you are on the right track with your research. Keep it up ! 🙂

Hi there,
This is a valid counter claim that you have used as it happens quite a lot.
As Savannah mentioned “Regardless of how strongly I or residents of New Zealand feel”, not all residents of NZ will agree with your debate as strongly as you do so maybe something along the lines like “how strongly I or some/ many residents of New Zealand.”
Other than that, your argument has been a great read and the information you provided was valid and relevant to what you were trying to say. 🙂

Melinda Lam

Hi Melinda,
I like how you have lots of links regarding your argument. However, I believe we have to make the links have titles instead of them being normal, long urls so that it is easier to understand what the link will be about before clicking. 🙂

A very interesting and unique choice of topic! I like how you explain some background to K-Pop for those who don’t know about it. I enjoy listening to some K-Pop songs myself so I never really thought about what they go through behind close doors as it does convey ‘rainbows and sunshine’, so this will very interesting to read further about in terms of their rights and freedom. Your writing style is very inviting, casual and approachable which makes me want to read more.
I look forward to the rest of your argument :

I agree with you that it is very abusive to their human rights as these companies are exploiting their talents and abilities for their own indulgence. Although it was their own choice and free will to sign the contracts, they did sign them at 13 years old which is pretty much an irrational age to sign any contract of any sort…. So hopefully there can be some proposal protecting K-Pop stars rights (especially when they’re starting out that young).
One thing I would add is to add more link anchors to your argument to make your point as strong as you intend it to.
Other than that, a great first sub-claim and I look forward to reading the rest of your blog!

Sam Taylor

Hey Sam, I like how you clearly gave us precise evidence on how pricy public transport can be for tertiary students, for someone like me who is terrible with numbers, I understood what you meant and you explained it very well.
I agree that it should be made free, or at least made immensely cheaper… especially if I am paying over $50 a week. The concession can only do so much I mean it doesn’t make a huge difference when you have lectures daily and end up spending over $200 a month on transport alone(with concession).
It’s ridiculous as sometimes when some students don’t have the money to go to Uni, they may end up skipping lectures because of that.
All I can say is to maybe add some more link anchors such as the legit fees to prove you aren’t making it up or how it is affecting students going to study.
Other than that, a great first sub-claim. I look forward to your next claims !!! 🙂

Savannah Welsh

Hi there,
I agree that same-sex marriage should be legalized as it’s the individuals right and freedom of choice to do what they want. And personally, I don’t find anything wrong with it since all it does it promote happiness and love between the couple… well unless you have strong religious beliefs then that can affect a lot. Even though I do have a religious background it doesn’t prevent me from believing in human rights and an individuals happiness.
I like your 3rd sub-claim as it can provide a lot of statistical evidence for the reader, thus proving your point even more and it also emphasizes why it should be legal too.
Nevertheless, I look forward to your argument. 🙂

All in all …

Despite the deep controversy Euthanasia has, I do believe that it should be legalized for the patient’s sake, if they want to undergo the procedure to ease suffering from their illness then why not give them that right.
We live in a day and age where new medical procedures are being introduced by the minute, and if one of them helps the patients’ suffer less and they consent to the procedure then by law and medical policy, it’s mandatory to grant them this right.
While hindrances would be laws prohibiting it and the idea of it being a ‘slippery slope’, it is gradually becoming accepted in U.S States as well as it being legal in a few European countries.
No laws should forbid the patient’s right to choose thus, Euthanasia plays a significant role in the patients'(and families of the patients) well-being.

The Slippery Slope

Although Euthanasia can be beneficial for many terminally ill patients’, there are a portion(religious, skeptics etc.) that oppose it.

The term ‘slippery slope’ is a common example used for Euthanasia, meaning that the more terminally ill patients’ undergo Euthanasia then the more that the idea of ‘death’ and ‘killing of an individual’ will be accepted into society rather than protecting the patient’s right to life. Thus, this causes other patient’s to become influenced or forced to be Euthanized, feeling that is the easy way out(rather than looking for alternatives to Euthanasia).

While many would believe that it could cause a slippery slope to society, it can in fact raise awareness to other terminally ill patients’ in a sense that they can find tolerable ways of easing the suffering from their illness rather than enduring it face-on. This isn’t aiming to find an easy-way-out, but it is instead giving patients’ a process that they can agree on in terms of handling their illness. And yes, there are alternatives to Euthanasia but if the patient consents to it, then why not give them that option.

The Grieving Process

Reuters

Dealing with the death of a loved one is always difficult, by them suffering from a terminal illness doesn’t make things easier. Not only is it difficult for the patient but it takes a heavy toll on the families/friends watching their loved one’s symptoms get worse.

In the case of natural death you may be elsewhere when your loved one dies unexpectedly, this can play a vital role to how you deal with grief.

In terms of grieving the death of a terminally-ill loved one, a cross sectional study case shows that families and friends of terminally ill cancer patients’ (who chose Euthanasia as a way of handling their death) coped better with post- traumatic stress and grief symptoms than those who bereaved the natural death of their loved one.

On Debate.org a survey was done to discuss whether family members approve of Euthanasia for their loved ones. 88% said yes and 13% said no. Families have encountered the experience first hand and are the most emotionally invested in the patient therefore it is unjust to prohibit Euthanasia as this is prohibiting the grieving process for family members going through it face-value.

Moreover, if Euthanasia were legal then the grieving process would be more tolerable for families and friends of the terminally ill patient. They’d be more prepared for the stages leading up to their loved ones’ chosen time of death as opposed to dealing with an unexpected death.

All About The Patient

A terminally ill patient named Brittany Maynard (suffered from a lethal form of brain cancer) left her home in California to stay in Portland, Oregon as that was the only state that legalized ‘physician-assisted suicide‘, a procedure that she fully consented to. She was aiming to relieve the pain and suffering from her terminal cancer and although giving her full consent, was still refused her decision.
In New Zealand, there is an Informed Consent Law which mentions that the physician’s role is to explain the procedures that the patient will undergo and that the patient’s consent is needed before the procedure proceeds. Also, Under Right 7 in the “Code Of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights” , it states that services only go forth under the consumers full and ‘informed consent.’
Moreover, the Doctors ‘Hippocratic Oath’ states that the physician is to “act with care and compassion in…interest of our patient” and to “respect patient’s right to reach decisions with you about…treatment and care.” Legalizing Euthanasia will enforce informed consent and rights of the patient.

Legalizing Euthanasia allows patients’ to be aware of their options now that they have consent and rights to access that information. An incurable illness would mean that the deterioration of a patients’ state is inevitable but instead of them resorting on their own (terminally ill patients’ committing suicide in England), they’re now given options towards handling the pain and suffering from their terminal illness.

Stand Up For Your Rights

“To deny people their human rights is to deny their very humanity.”  This quote speaks volumes especially when terminally ill patients’ are denied the right that every human being should be given- the freedom of choice.
To refuse patients’ the right to choose how they want to handle their terminal illness goes against the The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights under Article 1 (All human beings are born free… equal in dignity and rights…endowed with reason and conscience…should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood). 

Studies from mid 2014 show that nearly 70% of Americans support the idea of Euthanasia, the only thing hindering a full percentage is the influence of Religion. Moreover, 70% is a significant amount of support towards Euthanasia and U.S states should reconsider their laws prohibiting it as denying the rights to the patient is also denying the decision of the public opinion.

Also, case study shows that in England, 7% of suicides for the past five years are made up of terminally ill patients, this means around 300 patients a year are taking their own life alone and without support since the government refuses to grant them their right to ‘choose’ how they want to relieve the suffering.

Legalizing Euthanasia would be giving patients the rights that they deserve as human beings, this would grant them the ability to choose how they want to handle their terminal illness and no laws should prevent a patient from doing so.

Euthanasia Should Be Made Legal

Before getting into depth with this argument, it would be enlightening to define the terms euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Euthanasia is a broad term describing the intentional act of ending one’s life in order to relieve pain and suffering, whereas assisted suicide is a form of euthanasia where the doctor or physician assists the patient in their means of dying. However, I want to focus on assisted suicide in the terms of the physician assisting “end of life care”, NOT assisting in one’s death.

Euthanasia (in particular assisted suicide) is not about ending one’s life nor is it helping the patient end their life for nothing, for that shouldn’t be the motive. Instead, it aims to assist in relieving any pain and suffering in the events leading up to their death, preventing further suffering hadn’t the procedure been administered.

Euthanasia is to relieve anything that is detrimental to the patient’s well-being when dealing with an incurable illness.

ARGUMENT PLAN :

Claim: Euthanasia for terminally ill patients should be made legal.

Sub Claim 1: The Patients Right to Choose- Human Rights

Sub Claim 2: Patients Consent- Laws, Doctor policy

Sub Claim 3: Effects Of Euthanasia On Family and Friends- Reduces prolonged suffering

Counter Claim: “Slippery Slope”

CONCLUSION

LINKS: