Compassion with Limits: Why Voluntary Euthanasia Should Be Legal

Written by Teymur Kangarli

Edited by Lorenzo Rave

What does respect for life mean in terms of medicine? Does it imply keeping patients alive as long as possible, or can it sometimes be expressed in respect for a well-considered and conscious decision of those patients whom medicine cannot save from agony anymore? Voluntary euthanasia, which involves the assistance of a physician in ending the life of a patient who requested it freely and repeatedly, is one of the toughest ethical issues that may come up in any society. In my opinion, such a procedure should be allowed for mentally competent adults who are experiencing unacceptable suffering due to an advanced physical illness that is incurable without exposing them to harsh restrictions. 

The strongest argument for voluntary euthanasia is the issue of individual autonomy. The law recognizes the right of adults to decline surgery, drugs, or even life-preserving treatment when such action might be detrimental to their health even if it would lead to early death. Why do we consider their decisions valid during treatment but deny them when a disease becomes incurable and suffering unacceptable? For some people, dignity lies in prolonging treatment until the very end. For some, it is the right to decide when enough is enough. We cannot make everyone choose the same way. 

Euthanasia does not have to be performed immediately after the first request. We have several examples of legislation that establishes many barriers to make sure it will not be. In the Netherlands, a doctor has to be convinced of the voluntary and well-considered character of the request, that the suffering is unbearable and irreversible, and that there is no other reasonable solution. In addition, an independent physician has to be called to examine the case, and every completed case is evaluated afterwards (Government of the Netherlands). Canada has similar requirements concerning mental capacity and ability to give informed and voluntary consent, at least two independent medical consultations, and a chance to retract a request (Health Canada).

Still, there are several strong arguments against legalization. Sometimes diagnosis or prognosis may be mistaken. A patient may be motivated by depression, fear, family pressure, financial issues, or the belief that they are a burden to others. Elderly and disabled people are especially prone to get such a message that their lives have less value. Some doctors feel that actively causing death goes against their Hippocratic Oath of healing and caring. Those are very reasonable concerns and should not be regarded as just religious or emotional. Once the decision is made, it cannot be undone. 

There is also the risk of substituting euthanasia for palliative care. According to WHO, about 14% of people who need palliative care actually receive it (World Health Organization). Free choice cannot exist when a person requests euthanasia because pain relief, counseling, rehabilitation services, and hospice care are inaccessible or simply too expensive. Thus, any law regulating such procedure must ensure the availability of these alternatives. 

These dangers speak for strict regulation but not for prohibition. First of all, the law must apply only to mentally competent adults with an advanced and incurable physical illness. It should require several requests over time, consultations of at least two physicians independently, testing for any coercion and impaired judgment, the possibility to receive all forms of care, and an examination of the case by an independent legal-medical committee. Physicians who disagree with euthanasia should not be forced to assist with it. The statistics on such procedures must be published annually. 

Voluntary euthanasia should not be a quick and easy way out of illness, disability, loneliness, or lack of proper care. It has to be a very rare procedure performed only after all possible forms of care were offered to the patients. Nevertheless, forcing a competent adult to suffer from an illness for the rest of their life does not have to be the greatest act of mercy.

Citations

Government of the Netherlands. “Is Euthanasia Allowed?” Government.nl. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026. 

Health Canada. “Medical Assistance in Dying: Overview.” Government of Canada, 27 Aug. 2025. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026. 

World Health Organization. “Palliative Care.” 5 Aug. 2020. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.