The right to die is hotly debated accross the United States. Dr. Kevorkian still lingers in the headlines, and
one state has granted its citizens "Death with Dignity." However, oppenents exist even in Oregon, who protest something
they believe is murder.
Is it not right to allow someone to end their own suffering? How often do we use the phrase, "out of their misery"
with some seriousness? It is not too much to ask for our legislators to allow for our terminally ill patients to die
on their own terms. Careful regulation, such as that which is in place in Oregon, can ensure that only terminally ill
patients receive the medication, and every precaution that can be taken is in place to see that the medication ends up in
the right hands. Assisted suicide is an escape from pain and suffering. We as a society are more humane with our
pets than our people.
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Every so often I step back, curious as to why there is actually debate about assisted suicide. It is a free country,
but that does not mean we are free to kill. Our language has made it clear how we feel: the name is suicide,
and this word still carries all its connotations no matter what adjective precedes it. Assisted suicide is wrong.
It may be in some way ethical to end the suffering of a terminally ill individual, but there is simply no way to use governemtn
protocol to regulate it to a safe degree. We must accept the fact that assisted suicide and euthanasia is simply too
big; we cannot handle the arguement at this point in society's history.
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Here in America, absolutely nothing is black and white. Assisted suicide is one the key issues whcih must be constantly
debated so that every valid arguement for and against may be brought to the surface and carefully considered. Right
now, I believe that we simply do not have the information to make an informed decision about this issue. Oregon is a
pioneering state regarding its "Death with Dignity" act, and it is helping the country, giving us information about the effets
opf legalized, regulated assisted suicide so that we may know how it may affect us. The concept makes sense: one should
be allowed to end their own horrific pain without resorting to deperate measures. They should be able to use the copious
amounts of information available to them to make a decision, and then be able to peacefully end their own life at their own
discretion. However, we must fully work out the kinks in the system to ensure that no one gets away with murder, or
no one ends their life that may be cured or otherwise saved. It will take time.
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Pattie VanDenBerg is a columnist for the Erinsborough Sun. She has also worked as a Classified Manager and is soon
to be the Opinion editor. She is anxiously anticipating the birth of her third child.
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Kate Beets is a columnist for the Erinsborough Sun. Her columns apper in the Sunday edition in "Homelife."
You can also look for her new book, Motherhood in the Information Age out September 2007.
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Lia Sophia is a columnist for the Erinsborough Sun. She was born in Germany, but moved to Michigan soon after her
first birthday. She is currently in charge of the "Travels, Travels" column in the Saturday edition.
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