Legalization of Euthanasia

First I would like to say that I'm glad my opponent accepted this debate REBUTTAL C1. Euthanasia violates the Hippocratic Oath. The Hippocratic Oath is the code that lays out the ethical boundaries of the Medical Profession. In one of its lines it states: "I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect." and it also states: "Above all, I must not play at God."[1] Euthanasia violates this. To change this oath is foolish. I see no reason why government run euthanasia centers would have to take this oath. C2. Euthanasia is not the right choice for terminally ill patients. We should not try to kill the terminally ill, we should do all we can to help them. As Margaret Somerville (professor of Medicine) states: "How a society treats its weakest, most in need, most vulnerable memebers best tests its moral and ethical code."[2] In a way euthanasia is in fact helping the terminally ill. Instead of refusing them their wish to die we are allowing them to choose for themselves. Instead of saying no we are giving a choice. Somerville tells us that under Oregon's legal Euthanasia "46% percent changed their minds after intervention, only 15% did without intervention." This shows that often people do not think of the consequences of their actions, and so Euthanasia should not be legal, and certainly not legal in my Opponent scenario where "people of sane mind could come and provide in writing and in video something showing they wanted to die.". Than make the process a multiple appointment process. There is probably a reason those who didn't get an intervention went through with it more. Perhaps they don't have anyone to hold an intervention for them. =Cross Examination= You state that people of sane mind would choose this, how can you deduce who is sane and who isn't? Look at their medical files and criminal record. If there is anything that shows possible insanity deny them. In the situation of an incapacitated person, who gets to decide if they die then? The direct family. Who pays for this Euthanasia? Medicare, or part medicare/medicaid part patient. Under what conditions or situations is Euthanasia acceptable under your system, and who mandates it? Under the conditions that the person is of sane mind and that they are terminally ill or near the end of their life. If I can prove that legalizing Euthanasia undermines the value of life, do I win this round? No Who performs these operations? Government run euthanasia centers. Is it ever justified to kill an innocent person outside of self defense? (even if they wish for it) Yes, if they wish for it While mercy killing those who are "hopelessly sick or injured" sounds compelling, who decides if they are that sick/injured? The government run centers. Isn't it the job of a doctor to do all they can to help save life, not end it? Not necessarily, it is to help the patient however they can. And if this is what the patient wishes this is how they can help them. =Case= C1. Alleviates patients from their pain People who live in great pain and suffering would have a way to get out of their pain and misery and die with dignity. If one visits any kind of hospital and goes to the area of the terminally and severely ill or an old folks home they will hear the cries for the death. Patients literally scream down the halls their desire for death. C2. Euthanasia would save the federal government millions "Last year (2009), Medicare paid $50 billion just for doctor and hospital bills during the last two months of patients' lives - that's more than the budget of the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Education." Potentially billions could be saved through my plan. Source C2. http://www.cbsnews.com... Good luck to my opponent