Summarising the debate

I'm supposed to find two sources that take different points of view on 'the possibility of euthanasia' but it's proving extremely difficult to find literature that is recent other than subjective 'journalism' pieces. I have found many sources that represent the side for euthanasia but very little literature opposing it.  I'm starting to think I'm inept at library surfing as the same type of articles keep coming up regardless of what I put into the search engine.  It's like having a 'man's look', no offence Floyd ;)

So there are a couple of articles that I have been using for my position paper on the side for organ donation euthanasia but the one I have using predominantly is Bollen et., al (2016).  They write about the legal and ethical aspect of organ donation after euthanasia.  It attempts to advocate for those that feel that this is the best decision for themselves, although I am a little sceptical about what conditions are applied when deciding if someone has a legitimate case for euthanasia.  There are several cases that in my opinion are pretty weak for being accepted though I have to remember, I am not their doctor, nor their counsellor; so I need to resign myself to being a witness from afar.  Though I will say that being severely depressed does not sound reason enough to end an otherwise perfectly healthy life.  I believe it is these types of cases that cause major uproar with the anti-euthanasia followers. 

I've yet to find an article that is both recent and definitively anti-euthanasia, which doesn't hold me in good stead for this blog....and possibly not for my position paper either.  

Personally, I stand on the side of assisted suicide and euthanasia.  I think that a person should be given an opportunity to go out the way they want.  I'm not sure whether that's because I've had personal experience of not valuing life at different times of my life but I really do suspect it's more of a 'having control over whatever part of your life you can'.  So many decisions are taken out of our control throughout our lives that this seems a simple solution and it helps out those that could get a second chance at life through your decision.  I know the article written by the Pastor I spoke about last blog, suggests that there are ways around eventual death like palliative care and pain medications but if you actually spoke to many terminal individuals, that is sometimes not enough.  This may seem like a bit of a piss take but I actually admire those that use their faith and believe that a higher power can somehow bring them through it.  I don't share their faith. Seemingly, it would appear I am an atheist, or the very least, agnostic.

I've gone a bit off topic here but essentially what I'm trying to say is...there will always be people for either side.  I'm sure one of my neighbours, my siblings or one of my team members do not share in my belief of organ donation euthanasia.  Maybe we have to agree to disagree?  One thing I know for sure is, I'm not getting a very good grade for this blog as it's missing one side of the argument but I digress.....


Bollen, J., Hoopen, R., Ysebaert, D., van Mook, W. & van Heum, E. (2016). Legal and ethical aspects of organ donation after euthanasia in Belgium and the Netherlands. Journal of Medical Ethics, 42, pp 486-489.