Euthanasia

I also will deny aspect that my opponent shown, and revealing them as incorrect. Firstly, the reason there is a for section was because it was a pre-rebuttal similar to what my opponent did about morality in the first round. It seems my opponent failed to realize it even though it was clearly against legal euthanasia.1. It is opposed by all major religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Jainism, Shinto, Islam, and BuddhismMy opponent fails to realize that things such as Under God in the pledge isn't unconstitutional, this was discussed in Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow where many justices agreed on constitutionality [1]. Also, Newdow v. Rio Linda Union School District, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Hanover School District, New Hampshire, Doe v. Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, Massachusetts all have given similar rulings [2]. Further, it is still not irrelevant like I said in the previous round "this may give people a personal reason to oppose it, but may not be enough to enforce laws against it. ", so by restating most of what I said and including a false fact does not help my opponent's case.2. It is easier for doctors to administer euthanasia, than learn techniques for caring for the dying which undermines the quality of medicine availableMy opponent claims this is an argument for euthanasia, but this is simply not true. The argument against it is in bold above here. If my opponent failed to read the argument then I will restate it here. Because of legal euthanasia doctors will take the easier route and give deadly drugs rather than harder live saving medicine. 3. Euthanasia is un-ethical for the patient and people cease to have strong feelings once a practice becomes legal and widely accepted. My opponent claims morality is subjective, but no serious person holds this view. There are certain things we all see as wrong including murder, and rape. We also believe in human rights which are universal morals such as it is wrong to force someone into slavery. Further, if moral subjectivity is true then my opponent can't claim it is morally acceptable because that would be creating a absolute moral. Also, my opponent seems to contradict them self by saying "One cannot successfully use the morality argument. " then the next sentence says ". .. I will talk about my moral standpoint on this. .. " which would be completely irrelevant if morality is subjective. If my opponent want to remain consistent then they can not use anyone's moral stand point including their own and must also deny certain things are objectively evil such as the holocaust, and slavery.4. that it is un-ethical for doctors to give such procedures; such practices violate the Hippocratic Oath, and Voluntary euthanasia gives power which can be too easily abusedThe Hippocratic oath is completely relevant to this. Further, it is the job of the doctor to cure not do harm. Also, my opponent implicitly concedes this point because in his rebuttal they are not disputing that euthanasia could be abused and used on patients without consent, but rather they are arguing that if they did so because they were suffering that it would be a positive thing. 5. Uncertainty of death and the subjectivity of requirementsWho can qualify for euthanasia? If it is the terminally ill what is defined as terminally ill? In Oregon The law states that, in order to participate, a patient must be: 1) 18 years of age or older, 2) a resident of Oregon, 3) capable of making and communicating health care decisions for him/herself, and 4) diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six (6) months. It is up to the attending physician to determine whether these criteria have been met [3]. This law does not mention any pain or suffering to qualify for PAS. Also, it is subjective on if an illness is terminal in six months or not, as the law says “it is up to the attending physician to determine”. Plus, it doesn’t mean that they will not recover or live past that six months. “federal officials note that about 10% of patients live longer than the anticipated six-month life expectancy” [5]. The most famous case of getting it wrong is Stephen Hawking. In 1963, in which Hawking was 21 at the time, he contracted motor neurone disease and was given two years to live [4]. Stephen Hawking is still living at the age of 72 years old. Further, why was six months chosen over four or eight? There is actually no medical reason why six months was chosen as the limit. In the Netherlands citizens qualify for euthanasia if they are at least 12 years old and their suffering is unbearable with no prospect of improvement. This law is also subjective; it mentions nothing about terminal illness, just unbearable suffering. Suffering like physical pain is subjective, what might be painful for one might not be for another. Also, there is no test to see an objective level of pain, but it is not limited to physical pain, emotional pain is also included. There has been a case in the Netherlands were a woman was able to get euthanasia and was considered to be suffering unbearably by two doctors, and her illness was going blind [6]. This amount so subjectivity should worry anyone about euthanasia. 6. Fear & HopelessnessEuthanasia based on fear and hopelessness; Patients are vulnerable and fearful about the potential pain and deterioration ahead. When patients are told they only have a certain time to live, a lot of them feel hopeless/depressed; also, chronic mental illness, a fear of loss of dignity, social isolation, feelings of incompetence all play a part in the demoralization of patients [7]. These are all preventable/treatable things in which would prevent VE/PAS.7. Targets the Vulnerable Euthanasia will target the most vulnerable in our society including the elderly, and disabled; The ‘right to die’ can become a duty to die. Old people can be made to feel a burden on their families. The supreme court realizes this would be a problem in their ruling in the other major euthanasia case Vacco v. Quill, in a 9-0 ruling they stated in the ruling, if there is a constitutional right to euthanasia, “shielding the disabled and terminally ill from prejudice which might encourage them to end their lives” [8]. Medical doctors agree with this like Rhoda Olkin, PhD, who wrote “In a society in which people with disabilities are one of the most disadvantaged minority groups, we do not have the luxury of thinking of PAS as a final act of self-determination. We are a vulnerable population, subject to forced sterilization, ostracizing, stigma, and discrimination” [9]. Even today people with disabilities go through bullying everyday. Dr. Olkin continues “to argue that people with disabilities have as much free will as the non disabled is to ignore the oppression of people with disabilities” [9]. As Jacob Appel shows the euthanasia controversy can be traced back to the controversy about eugenics, which is the belief that people can be genetically superior and should be preferred over those who have genetic problems [10]. “Elements of the philosophy were enshrined as national policy by forced sterilization and segregation laws, as well as marriage restrictions, enacted in 27 states” [11]. These are very similar to the ideas of Adolf Hitler which most condemn as the most evil person in history because of these ideas. People with disabilities are not the only one targeted by these laws, the elderly are too. As Felicia Cohn, PhD, wrote “Given the high and seemingly disproportionate costs of health care for the elderly and those in the final phase of life, these 'users of excessive medical resources' may be the targets of cost-saving efforts” [12]. As shown earlier one of the main arguments for legal euthanasia is saving medical resources, and shown one prominent case of someone who was affected by cost-saving measures. Sources[1] . http://www.oyez.org...[2] . http://www.becketfund.org...[3] . http://public.health.oregon.gov...[4] . http://www.hawking.org.uk...[5] . http://www.patientsrightscouncil.org...[6] . http://www.dailymail.co.uk...[7] . https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com...[8] . http://www.oyez.org...[9] . http://euthanasia.procon.org...[10] . http://muse.jhu.edu...[11] . http://www.sfgate.com...[12] . http://euthanasia.procon.org...