Brittany’s Anecdote
The 29 year old terminally old patient Brittany Maynard suffered from a stage 4 malignant brain tumor that plagued her daily life with frequent seizures and stroke-like symptoms. Her inevitable death was predicted soon with certainty with absolutely no possibility for a cure. She wrote, “I did this because I want to see a world where everyone has access to death with dignity, as I have had. My journey is easier because of this choice.” Freedom of choice is an important aspect when involving controversial ethical practices. I support the legalization of euthanasia in the few states available, for a patient’s decision to die in critical circumstances should not be judged by none other than the recipient.
Explain Law: History & Implementation
Euthanasia is a controversial subject as it is banned from all states except for Washington D.C., California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, Hawaii, Washington, and is currently still being debated in Montana according to U.S. Legal Wills. Euthanasia, also known as “mercy killing,” was first suggested on January 23, 1906 by the Ohio legislature. It was advocated by Anna Hall in hopes to relieve her mother from a terminal and painful illness. In the same year, Dr. R. H. Gregory introduced a similar bill to the Iowa state legislature as to bring awareness to the increasing demand. These two bills were only the beginning of a long process of passing a bill. Eventually in 1994, Oregon became the first state to legalize aid in dying. The law was immediately challenged in the case Lee v. State of Oregon. The Oregon “Death With Dignity” act was processed for three years battling the statement that “Measure 16, which legalizes physician-assisted suicide for certain terminally ill persons, violates the equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment to the United States Constitution” (Devlin). Barbara Coombs Lee was the main advocate for the procedure as she had witnessed first hand the suffering of numerous patients in her healthcare profession. Her unforgettable 25-year career experience influenced her pursuit to devote her professional life to individual choice and empowerment in health care. She served as a spokesperson through all campaigns defending against the judicial and legislative arenas. “One of the keys to winning was to make it perfectly clear that the control would reside with the patient from beginning to end” (Lee). In February of 1997, the case was dismissed by lower court’s ruling against Oregon Death with Dignity Act.
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What is it supposed to do?
The Oregon Death with Dignity Act allows for terminally ill Oregonians who meet specific qualifications to end their lives by voluntary self administration of prescribed lethal doses of medication. The requirements outline that a patient must be at least 18 years of age or older, a resident of Oregon, capable of making and communicating health care decisions, and diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six months according to (Jstor History of Euthanasia Movement Publication).(change) If a patient is unable to self-administer the life-ending medication, then he or she is ineligible. This is common with people suffering from neuromuscular diseases such as ALS and Parkinson’s. The decision is determined by the attending and consulting physicians.
Thesis
In support of the Euthanasia movement, it is most important to recognize the characteristics of the procedure that make it more worthwhile versus detrimental. The ability to determine the suffering of patients is none other the judgement of the patient themselves. We are in no jurisdiction to say that one is not suffering enough to consider death as a viable option. It is not our place to force the suffering into living when no possible progress can be made when death is inevitable within six months.
Why support?
People have the explicit right to die & it is a private matter
People have the right to die. That is even evident in the legalization of suicide. With the qualified intentions, humans are independent biological beings that have the right to control his or her body and life. Resurfacing the Brittany Maynard’s situation, the 29 year old documented her journey dying in the arms of her loved ones as she intended. She made her decision of a doctor- assisted death when diagnosed New Years Day. She had limited treatment options that would save her life, and she even considered hospice care. Maynard graduated with a bachelor’s degree from University of California Berkeley and a master’s degree from University of California Irvine. She was newly married to her husband in 2012 and her friends and family had always described her as an adventurous traveler until her condition worsened and tumor took over control.“I am so lucky to have known the love of an amazing husband (my husband Dan is a hero), a loving, caring mother, and an incredible group of friends and extended family,” Maynard wrote last month. “I hope you will all take up my request to carry on this work, and support them as they carry on my legacy. I’m so grateful to you all.” this heart wrenching story of a successful, beautiful, young woman appeals to the Oregon Death with Dignity act as it serves as an example that illnesses simply cannot be controlled and the only solution to relieve stress of the patient and family is ultimately death. That decision is none other her right as a suffering individual plagued with an unfortunate outcome.
Medical resources become more readily available
Euthanasia benefits the fair distribution of health resources. The high demand of health resources results in a crisis that affects those who are ill not able to get speedy access to facilities they need for treatment. Allowing people to commit euthanasia would not only let them have what they want, but also free valuable resources to treat people who want to live.
Arguments against/ Issue?
Religion
The main objection to the procedure of euthanasia conforms to the idea that it is against the will of God. Even though that God has given us free will to choose, the argument against this is that it would be wrong for to do so. Euthanasia imposes God’s rights over our lives and His right to choose the length of our lives and the way our lives end. The value of suffering is also debated, as religious people view positive value in suffering. Pope John Paul II wrote that ‘It is suffering, more than anything else, which clears the way for the grace which transforms human souls.’ Even though most churches acknowledge that some Christians will want to accept suffering for this reason, most Christians are not so heroic. In fact, Christian’s believe that there is nothing wrong in trying to relieve someone’s suffering as long as one does not intentionally cause death. Under the Ten Commandments, it states that “Thou shall not kill,” but who is to verify the validity of content itself as religion and God is a questionable matter.
Gives too much power to doctors
Another argument against the use of euthanasia is that it gives too much power to doctors and may discourage them from finding cures. This is a common outlook as as “doctors should not allowed to play God.” However, God arguments are of no interest to people without faith, it’s presented here with the God bit removed. Another perspective suggest that doctors should not be allowed to decide when people die. In reality, doctors do this all the time when extending medical action that increases life changes. Even though this is a different sort of decision, since it involves shortening life, doctors make choices about treatment all the time that affects life spans of patients. Doctors that are qualified to administer euthanasia are within properly regulated reason with safeguards, so they recognize the seriousness of the decision. In the majority of cases, the decision will ultimately be made by the patient. This further strengthens the positive benefits of euthanasia suggesting that the procedure is regulated and not imposed upon patients without dire need of it.
Conclusion
Euthanasia has had a negative connotation for many years and has been discouraged by the majority of states. However, the procedure has brought awareness to the critically suffering patients that are no longer able to fight for themselves. Brittany Maynard, for example, advocated Oregon’s Death with Dignity act publicly in order to diminish its controversiality. Ultimately, the law has benefited the well-being of the patients who have endured suffering without any hope. The inevitability of death within a six month range can no longer be procrastinated with the Death with Dignity act available.
Beowulf Character Analysis
In the legendary poem “Beowulf”, which was produced anonymously by an Anglo-Saxon poet, Beowulf is the great warrior of the Geats. Beowulf comes to the aid of Hrothgar who is the king of the Danes because Herot is being attacked by the great monster, Grendel. In short, Beowulf kills Grendel with his bare hands by ripping off his arm and his mother by sword. On the surface, one can interpret the poem as a great entertainer. Much like popular works of literature today that are immensely entertaining yet lack true substance and, in turn, can easily be mistaken as that kind of literature if not approached from an analytic point of view.
However, when taking a closer look, one can see many different perspectives or opinions the author may have been trying to express to the reader. It is hard to say without knowing the slightest amount of true background information about the author, but one can say that the character of Beowulf represents more than just a hero who slays a monster. In finding what the true representation of Beowulf may be, one may also find the author trying to show that one can be consumed in a quest to be great or as great, a man as Beowulf was in the poem.
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Beowulf is a strong, loyal, courageous man. He shows this time and time again, and when Beowulf is acknowledged by another character, one can see how highly regarded he is. In many ways, it is as if the author is trying to portray what a man of that time should be and represent: brave, loyal, and for king and people. When the son of Halfdane noted.
A protector of his people, pledged to uphold truth and justice and to respect tradition, is entitled to affirm that this man was born to distinction. Beowulf, my friend, your fame has gone far and wide, you are known everywhere. In all things you are even-tempered, prudent and resolute. So, I stand firm by the promise of friendship we exchanged before. Forever you will be your people’s mainstay and your own warriors’ helping hand. (Beowulf 77)
This quote from Beowulf is a special testament to his character, influence and what he stands for. When he talks about Beowulf being even-tempered, prudent and resolute, one can tell the kind of man Beowulf is seen as in the story and supposed to be interpreted as by the reader. To be prudent in a time such as the Middle Ages when men were often short sighted or myopic is an important note to make about who Beowulf was. A leader who is resolute in that time was also rare because often kings and other royalty of the Middle Ages were self-centered and did not have a greater purpose. They may have often said they were for the people or served a greater purpose, but often their actions showed the exact opposite. As this is the truth about men of that time, one can see how superior and genuinely good Beowulf was because it was not by his own account, but the testimony of others that allows us to have such an insight into his character. One can interpret this as the author conveying what a true man should look like during this time.
Along with Beowulf’s representation of what a man should be at that time, also comes a lesson to not lose one’s self in the quest of being what a man should be. Often, when trying to become something bigger and better, people can end up losing themselves, especially after accomplishing a lot. The author can be taking Beowulf’s experiences and accomplishments and personality and using them as an example of not giving in to human nature and flesh by becoming arrogant in success. A quote that supports this is,
“… and because of good things that the Heavenly Powers gave him in the past he ignored the shape of things to come. Then finally the end arrives when the body he was lent collapses and falls prey to its death; ancestral possessions and the goods he hoarded are inherited by another who lets them go by a liberal hand. O flower of warriors, beware of that trap. Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride.” (Beowulf 78)
Once Beowulf has solidified himself as a great warrior and loyal man of the people, the Beowulf is briefly given advice on what he should avoid. Since she has become such a great warrior and leader, he is told not to let that swallow him up or go to his head. Beowulf is warned not to let his pride go to his head because that can be a destroyer of men and one can see the real life lesson in that and in analyzing Beowulf as a character.
In death, many things that are of great importance during one’s life may mean absolutely nothing and those that one think may never do no harm and are the most loyal may be the first to turn their backs. One can see this in a couple of different ways after Beowulf passes. In saying, “The treasure had been won, bought and paid for by Beowulf’s death. Both had reached the end of the road through the life they had been lent. … When he needed them most, they had made off. Now they were ashamed and came behind shields, in their battle outfits to where the old man lay” (Beowulf 100). One can see the sadness in death and in a way why Beowulf was warned earlier about what not to become. After Beowulf passes, when the reader os looking at the character of Beowulf and what he may represent one can see the lesson in his death. In seeing this through Beowulf’s death, the author could be making a point that Beowulf represented more than a man with a sword but also a figure of what a man should be and how even in death, a great man can still be done unjustly.
To Conclude, Beowulf was a great man and warrior, loyal to his people and to what he believed in. When analyzing him one can see, what a man of that time was expected to live up to and to represent. Strength, morality, loyalty and honor can be gathered as the expected foundation of a man, but also one can see that on the quest to be those qualities it is important for one to not to give into the flesh of human nature because one can lose himself more than ever in that one mistake. In learning this one can find the true menande of the great Beowulf, Warrior and king of the geats.
Work Cited
“Beowulf.” The Norton Anthology English Literature, edited by Stephen Greenblatt., General Editor. 9th ed. W.W Norton & company, 1962, pp. 41-106.
