An average of fifty-five percent. This is the average percent of terminally ill patients that die in pain. Within the United States there is a constant conflict between the right to choose assisted death or not. Through a multitude of facts and stances the validity of both arguments are tested. Various academic articles on the social issue of euthanasia illuminate our understanding of the short story “The Euthanasia Machine” by M. Stanley Bubien as it displays the complications as well as the advantages that are associated with assisted suicide.

There is a multitude of support that points to the legalization of euthanasia across the United States of America. The greatest contribution to the support of euthanasia is the idea of self-determination. Self- determination is the process by which a person controls their own life. This belief conflicts greatly with current laws, in that the government controls the lives of its citizens. The government should not be given this level of authority, due to it violating the basic human rights of our citizens. An additional basis on which people gain their support is the pain terminally ill patients go through. If a human is going through such circumstances, they should not be forced to stay alive. It is inhumane to make a person suffer through excruciating pain which may come from cancer, organ failure, etc. Only to have them live for another hour, day, or week at maximum. Not only do everyday people support euthanasia, but many doctors do as well. Patients deserve the right to govern their own bodies, free from outside opinions. Through this specific belief many doctors grow their support of euthanasia. Although tough and emotional decisions must be made. It is the job of a doctor to do what makes the patient most comfortable, and respect what their patient wants 

Although many say it should be legalized across the United States, those who oppose believes euthanasia should not be authorized. The main argument anti-euthanasia activists utilize is that euthanasia would become accessible to any part of society, not just those who are terminally ill. These individuals are under the impression that anyone would have access to a life ending drug whenever they deem necessary. This could be very problematic if someone makes a drastic decision during a short term emotional state. It could potentially cost someone their life, and the outcome is non-reversible. Another crucial rationale leading to opposition is the notion that it can lead to a suicide plague. Meaning, the life ending choices of the terminally ill will convey a detrimental message to the community, specifically teenagers. The legalization of euthanasia propels the idea of “death solves all problems.” When life is not going a certain way, or circumstances become strenuous, activists assume struggling individuals will end their lives. The possible ramifications of this message could cause devastating effects throughout the nation. The final justification used to diminish support for assisted suicide is it rejects the value life. In the early stages of our lives, people are often told that “life is precious.” We have learned to cherish and benefit from the difficulties in life to grow as human beings. Per activists if euthanasia is established within society, the overall meaning of life is lessened. Through miraculous transformation, a human is conceived, each is different than the last and capable of wonderful things. However, with a single signature of consent, all of that can be taken away in the blink of an eye. Groups challenging the legalization of euthanasia believe humans have been given too many gifts, and are too valuable to have it vanish within seconds.

There are a multitude of reasons as to why euthanasia supporters have a stronger argument over those who oppose. One of the reasons is due to ethical arguments. Self-determination states that people have the right to do what they want within their lives. Their body is their temple, and thus, struggling individuals should have the right to choose what happens to it. This type of power should not be left up to the government. They do not go through the pain of the ill, however, their rule is limitless. The governments neglect of the terminally ill should hinder their ability to decide whether someone goes peacefully or in pain. Another justification strengthening the argument of euthanasia is it is already being performed illegally behind the governments back. Humans will always find ways to get the things that they need in life, whether legally or illegally. The reason assisted suicide needs to be legalized is so it can be monitored and performed properly. Without properly monitoring the process the risk of patients being killed without full consent is raised. Causing doctors to be blamed for an accidental death. In extreme cases, patients may be given too much of a drug causing them to go through even more pain before dying. By monitoring the procedure, we can assure patient safety, a peaceful death, and properly trained doctors. An additional argument supporting euthanasia is the discrediting of false statements by activists claiming assisted suicide would be available to use freely by the public. A major fact diminishing this claim is certain states have begun legalizing assisted suicide, and requirements state that a patient must be given less than 6 months to live. This not only allows those sick to rest easy, but also prevents people from killing themselves over minor injuries and sicknesses.

The fictional short story that I have chosen is “The Euthanasia Machine” by M. Stanley Bubien. This short story is about a terminally ill patient contemplating the use of doctor assisted suicide. The patient has been going through “hospitals, chemotherapy, nausea, lost weight, drugs, familial pity” for over three years (Bubien). They are sick of the constant pain and pity, and want a final release from the hardship of sickness. However, these difficulties are unable to mask the overall question of being certain about the decision. Within this moment, the realization of death is finally setting in as the patient is left alone with the computer. It becomes their full choice, since nobody else is left with them. Everything was in place, and a simple push of a button would set them free. As they released the medicine into their system, the question of certainty was flashed through their mind. The cold rush of death infiltrated their body, however, final freedom from the pain allowed a steady flow of warmth, overcoming the cold. This short story is relevant to the argument of pro euthanasia in that it shows choice and freedom. The most substantial part of doctor assisted suicide is the right to choose death and the freedom that it brings. Without choice, we are robbing the ill of their human rights to govern their body, as well as, obstructing their path to physical and mental freedom. The ability to grant these two things ensures a better life for those who are struggling.

The first academic article that I chose was “Who May Die? California Patients and Doctors Wrestle With Assisted Suicide” by Jennifer Medina. This article recognizes the strides that the United States has taken in authorizing laws allowing doctor assisted suicides. The early stages of this legal process began when “Oregon was the first state to pass an assisted suicide law” (Medina). This singular effort by the state of Oregon, has guided 6 other states to the legalization of euthanasia. Since the passing of these laws “the number of people who request and take medication to hasten dying has steadily increased” (Medina). As a result of euthanasia becoming legally accessible, a large number of terminally ill patients have begun utilizing this option in order to end the agony early. This positive progression within the legal system has allowed patients to experience freedom, without suffering for many more months on end. It has also been stated that in Oregon “16 people have ended their lives under the law in 1998, and by 2015, that number [has] grown to 132” (Medina). To ensure euthanasia is only used in times of necessity, states have adopted firm rules to keep control. The state of California’s assisted suicide laws is “strict, [which] is intended to ensure patients have thought through the decision and are making it voluntarily. Patients must make multiple requests for the medication and have prognosis of less than six months to live” (Medina). Although the law has been passed to allow the action of assisted killing, it is not being forced upon doctors to participate in the process. The law states that “no doctor, health system or pharmacy will be required to comply with a patient’s request” (Medina). This an imperative section of the law in that it does not force others to partake in something they do not believe in. It grants the medical staff time to see the full effects of the practice, and to later determine the morality of the practice.

After reviewing this article, and the many different facts and stances that have been presented. A connection was made to the short story “The Euthanasia Machine” by M. Stanley Bubien. The article states that laws must be “strict, [which] is intended to ensure patients have thought through the decision and are making it voluntarily. Patients must make multiple requests for the medication and have prognosis of less than six months to live” (Medina). Within the short story, it is very apparent that the pain the patient has been going through has been very extreme, and over a long period. The patient says, “Three long years of hospitals, chemotherapy, nausea, lost weight, drugs, familial pity... Nothing helped, and the pain kept coming. I was tired of it all” (Bubien). The laws of our current society are reflected within the short story in that the life ending decision of the patient was not irrational. The patient has been enduring years of agony, thinking about this controversial topic every second of every day. Within the text, they mention “three long years” inferring the hardship has been long and the patient’s chances of getting better were slim (Bubien). Due to small chances of improvement at this point in their life, the terminally ill patient would meet the legal standards to receive euthanasia. Not only was it a long thought process, but it was voluntary in that “[they] held [their] finger over the button” (Bubien). In the end it was their personal choice, which is the most important part of this issue. The patient within the short story is a perfect example of the requirements that need to be instilled in our society. With a strong set of rules, we would be able to regulate euthanasia, allowing it to run smoothly within our society.

The second academic article that I chose was “French Woman’s Euthanasia Request Denied” by Christophe Schpoliansky. This article stresses the issue with denying the right of euthanasia to those who are terminally ill. A French woman, lost a request to die by assisted suicide. She has a “rare case of cancer that has left her disfigured” (Schpoliansky). However, the court has denied her the right to choose her death because “it would breach medical ethics and French law, under which assisted suicide is a crime” (Schpoliansky). It is understandable that governments do not want people to have the choice to kill themselves when the going gets tough. However, if someone is severely suffering actions need to be taken. The French woman was going through “intense and permanent suffering” due to the “incurable character of the disease she is suffering from” (Schpoliansky). She pleaded with the government to grant her permission, but was ignored and forgotten. Withholding the legalization of euthanasia leaves sick and injured patients “on the side of the road,” causing the trust in the government to become broken. The only assistance they offer is medicine that will prolong life for a few more months, but these extra days are lived out in agony. Euthanasia would not be for every single patient. However, there is no joy in watching another human being suffer. To prevent this it “should be legalized in certain circumstances” to those who have been suffering for long times, and do not show signs of improvement (Schpoliansky).

Additionally, like the first article I was also able to make connections to the short story “The Euthanasia Machine.” Within the article there is a powerful statement expressing that euthanasia should “be legalized in certain circumstances. It must not be abused” (Schpoliansky). This issue is brought up within the short story when the patient states, “the pain! I couldn’t stand it any longer!” (Bubien). The article highlights the current issue within society in that assisted suicide should only be used in extreme circumstances. Within the short story the excruciating pain would represent a certain circumstance in which euthanasia should be used. In this situation, the patient is in extreme pain, has gone through years of it, and will most likely go through many more years of it. They are looking for a way to escape the pain and sorrow. We should not have the right to decide whether we allow someone to suffer. It is a human right to choose, and the final decision should be left up to them. By denying a human being of this right we are encouraging the pain and suffering, which is not who we are as a nation. The short story ends with the main character saying, “Death seemed so cold. Freedom so warm” (Bubien). This quote also relates to euthanasia today. Society may not be ready to allow people to choose death as a means for escape, because they think negatively on it. In some situations, euthanasia, should not be an option. However, society needs to stop associating death with negatively, because to some it is the only way to escape the extreme pains in life.

The final academic article that I have chosen is "Doctor, Nurse Arrested for Euthanasia Deaths After Hurricane Katrina." by Steven Ertelt. This article shows the dangerous effects of not legalizing euthanasia. Without the legalization of euthanasia, doctors as well as patients will go behind the back of others to get the treatment that they deem necessary. This can be very dangerous because it cannot be monitored, thus leaving patients and doctors at risk. Within this article, it stated that due to the low number of doctors having the ability to euthanize, the few that do used it as a cover “for their enjoyment of the power that euthanasia gives them life over” (Ertelt). Meaning, that since they are one of the few doctors given the ability to euthanize, the power goes to their head and the results can be very dangerous. Many times, a patient will go to a secret doctor in hopes of receiving drugs to ease their pain, and end the suffering. However, at times these patients will be taken advantage of and killed. Within a study from the Flanders region of Belgium they found that “32% of all euthanasia deaths were done without explicit request” (Ertelt). This representing that the patient may have hinted at the idea of assisted death. However, they never gave full consent, and by that time it was too late. Due to secret doctors not following actual medical laws, they may not go through the same process to assure they have received full consent. This can result in a multitude of criminal charges, while at the same time taking a life that was not yet ready. This tragedy happens due to the fact that euthanasia is still currently illegal in most places. People go behind the back of the government where it cannot be monitored, and thus pay the price.

Furthermore, this final article connects to the short story “The Euthanasia Machine.” The article states that “32% of all euthanasia deaths were done without explicit request” (Ertelt). This meaning the doctors believed it was best for the patient, so they hook up the IV and allow the patient to slowly slip away without the patient having any idea of what was going on. If assisted suicide was legal, putting a patient to sleep would be monitored and the system would be fixed. Doctors would need a massive amount of paperwork to assure it was what the patient wanted, reducing mistakes. However, the short story also highlights the correct way in which society should go about performing euthanasia. The nurse “rolled [him/her] in front of the computer and hooked up the IV… I held my finger over the button”  (Bubien). At this point it was the patient’s choice to end their life. Not their families, not the doctors, not the government. The patient is in control of their own body and future. If they believe that it is their time and are ready to go, then they should be given the ability to decide that. By having the patient push the final button it would assure that the right choice was made. It would eliminate doctor error and family influence, allowing for the most moral way possible.

The conflict between the morality and legality of euthanasia is still a growing argument in the American society. Though some states and countries have legalized it, the majority of the United States is still pondering its place within our nation. Through a multitude of academic articles, the conflict of assisted suicide illuminates our understanding of the short story “The Euthanasia Machine” in that it highlights the rights and wrongs associated with the current social issue. Although it will take many years to full implement the use of euthanasia, our nation is on the right track to help those who may not be able to help themselves.
