Euthanasia1 is the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve2 pain and suffering3.
There
are different euthanasia
laws4 in each5 country. In the Netherlands6 euthanasia is understood as7 "termination of life by a
doctor at the request of8
a patient".
Euthanasia
is categorized in different ways, which include voluntary, non-voluntary, or
involuntary. Voluntary
euthanasia is legal in some countries. Non-voluntary
euthanasia (patient's consent unavailable9) is illegal in all
countries. Involuntary
euthanasia (without asking consent or against the patient's will10)
is also illegal in all countries and is usually considered murder11.
In
some countries there is12
a public controversy about the moral, ethical, and legal issues13 of euthanasia. Those who are against
euthanasia may argue for14
the sanctity of life, while proponents of euthanasia rights15 emphasize16
alleviating suffering17,
and preserving body integrity, self-determination18,
and personal autonomy.
Proponents
of euthanasia have presented their arguments19:
a) people have a right to self-determination, and should be allowed to
choose20 their own
fate21; b) assisting a person to die might
be a better choice than22 requiring23 that they continue to suffer; c) It frees up40 hospital beds and resources
Pro-euthanasia
activists also point to24
countries like the Netherlands and Belgium, and states like Oregon,
where euthanasia has been legalized
There
are some major25
arguments presented by26
opponents of euthanasia:
not all deaths are
painful27;
b) alternatives, such as28
cessation of active treatment, combined with the use of effective pain relief29, are available30; and c)
legalising euthanasia will place31
society on a slippery slope32, which will lead to
unacceptable consequences33,
It d) is not moral to end the patient's life because he has the right to live longer41
It d) is not moral to end the patient's life because he has the right to live longer41
In fact34, in Oregon,
in 2013, pain wasn't one of the top five reasons people sought35 euthanasia. Top reasons were a loss of dignity36,
and a fear of burdening others.
In the United States in 2013, 47% nationwide38
supported39 euthanasia
.
Vocabulary
1.
Euthanasia = Eutanásia
2.
in order to relieve = a fim de
aliviar
4.
Laws = leis
5.
Each = cada
7.
understood as = entendido como
8.
at the request of = a pedido de
9.
patient's consent unavailable = consentimento do paciente está
indisponivel
10.
against the patient's will = contra a
vontade do paciente
12.
there is = existe
13.
issues = aspectos, questões
14.
may argue for = podem defender
15.
rights = direitos
16.
emphasize = enfatizar
17.
alleviating suffering = aliviar o
sofrimento
18.
self-determination = auto determinação
19.
arguments = argumentos
20.
should be allowed to choose = deveriam
ser permitidos escolher
21.
their own fate = seus próprios destinos
22.
might be a better choice than = poderia ser uma escolha melhor
do que
23.
requiring = exigir
24.
point to = apontam para
25.
major = importante
26.
presented by = apresentado por
27.
not all deaths are painful = nem todas
as mortes são dolorosas
28.
such as = tais como
29.
pain relief = alivio de dor
30.
available = disponível
31.
place = colocar
33.
lead to unacceptable consequences =
levar a consequencias inaceitáveis
34.
In fact = na verdade
35.
Sought = buscaram
36.
loss of dignity = perda de dignidade
37.
fear of burdening others = medo de
sobrecarregar outros
38.
nationwide = a nivel nacional
39.
supported = apoiavam
40.
frees up = libera
41.
live longer = viver mais tempo