Intensive care or euthanasia?

In a century, where we boast about individual rights and identity, we still haven’t been able to sort out the dilemma of euthanasia. Euthanasia is also called "mercy killing,” means intentionally making someone die, rather than allowing that person to die naturally. Now, this happens only if the patient consents or has once consented. For example, a doctor gives a lethal injection to a patient. In assisted suicide, a non-suicidal person knowingly and thereby intentionally provides the means to die.

The dilemma arises when we bring religion, morality and cultural codes of living, in the picture. There are several questions which start revolving around not just your head but also of the ones who truly care for you and wish for your well being. It’s never easy to decide over such crucial things. Yet, it’s very important that families should sit and discuss. So much so that the ice of fear and care breaks down and the expectations are heard by one another.

People bang their head to death metal music but there are very few out there who would ever want to initiate a conversation about or who wouldn't get uncomfortable by the very idea of death and euthanasia. So, we basically all live in a world of denial and that is a totally unhealthy attitude. And, god forbid, if ever a situation arises where we need to take a decision, we would land-up in confusion instead of picking up courage to consider the an alternative to natural death. So, it’s important to face fears and be prepared.

Lying on a ventilator doesn't save life; it just prolongs the process. Clinging half dead, is a traumatic experience for the patient and the ones who care. But, here the problem is that a lot of people confuse euthanasia with suicide. There are certain set conditions considering which the process is allowed, like:If the person is a mature adult, if the person has clearly made a considered decision. If reasonable medical help has been sought to cure or at least slow down the terminal disease. The treating physician has been informed, asked to be involved, and his or her response been taken into account.

I know, I hereby sound like an inconsiderate person but that’s how things are. Yet, there’s this other side of it wherein people hate the very idea of euthanasia. Life is precious, not everybody is able to make it that long but “The important is thing is not how long you live... It's what you accomplish with your life.” So, think wisely, live well.