Euthanasia
...eved by rendering them unconscious. They would have to spend the last days, weeks or even months of their life heavily sedated and unaware of their surroundings. This places stress on their loved ones as well, who have to stand by and watch as their mind and body degenerate before their eyes. The measure of life lies not only in quantity but in its quality as well. The Law Reform Commission of Canada believes that considerations of quality of life are legitimate factors in decision-making and are valid criteria in justifying certain acts. Secondly, the negative consequences of not legalizing euthanasia are very real and cannot be ignored. Some terminally ill patients who are denied euthanasia attempt to terminate their suffering by ending their lives themselves and have botched their suicides in the process, bringing further suffering on themselves and those around them. By denying them their right to euthanasia, the government satisfies its own moral standards but ignores the outcome of its action. Some patients cannot bear the excruciating agony that accompanies terminal illness and when they cannot obtain physician-assisted suicide, try to kill themselves even though they may not be in a condition to do so. They may also beg for the help of loved ones not trained in medicine in their suicide. As a result, the suicide may often be messy, painful and sometimes unsuccessful. It is unfair on the family and friends of the patients to have to go through such a nightmare when all they want is to free their loved ones of pain and torment. Everyone may be searching for a "good death", but terminally ill patients merely wish to have a painless, merciful death at the time of their own choosing. Surely that is not asking much. It is easy for society, the government, and people to deny them this one act of mercy by spouting "moral", "ethical" and religious tenets by the dozen. They have not traveled in their shoes, and they do not know what dying is. In the end, all that these patients want is to die, peacefully, with dignity, and no pain. Under current law, terminal patients who want to die can either commit suicide, or, if they are competent, refuse all treatment necessary for life. But patients do not always have the ability and opportunity to do the former, and the latter does not always bring about a gentle and easy death for either them or their loved ones. The question thus arises as to whether we should make legal provision for voluntary euthanasia and providing the means for it. There is a strong case for allowing persons who are facing intractable pain or indignities in the final stages of their lives to determine for themselves when life is no longer worth living, and, wh...