Individuals in favor of active euthanasia argue that under the care of a physician, a mentally competent patient suffering from a terminal illness should have the right to undergo physician assisted suicide to end their mental and physical decline. The majority of Americans favor the practice and say they would choose the practice for themselves. Those opposing active euthanasia argue that palliative care and hospice care is the most appropriate manner of treating terminally ill patients. Others argue that active euthanasia by physicians would encourage suicide from patients suffering from other illnesses that are not terminal as well as make terminally ill patients feel that others would prefer they end their lives. …show more content…
However, just as the text describes there is a concern of abuse by physicians, mental stability of patients and the legal requirements of the practice.
3.Should the United States adopt the Dutch Policy?
Public polls demonstrate Americans support of the legalization of active euthanasia by physicians however, like many other matters brought about in legislation popular opinion is not always the deciding factor (Weiss & Lonnquist, 2015). While many Americans support the Dutch policy a problem that America struggles with is voter turnout. Voting in local elections helps in ensure that your representatives, legislators, councilmen, senators, congressmen, etc support your beliefs and will fight to pass laws that benefit you. Furthermore in order for the Dutch Policy to be legalized in America, Americans will need to vote and it will take many years because of opposition in congress and individuals that see the practice as a religious or moral