People have the right to bodily autonomy; therefore, they should be able to do whatever they want with their own bodies.
If people are suffering, they should have the right to alleviate their own suffering by any reasonable means, including medically assisted suicide (euthanasia).
The Canadian government recently announced that they will be withholding offering MaiD (medical assistance in dying) to mature minors – people under the age of 18 (children) who have the mental capacity to reasonably make an informed decision about their life.
The flood gates have long opened in Canada to offering people a way out of their suffering (or perceived suffering).
Is supporting euthanasia a reasonable position to hold?
Is supporting euthanasia a reasonable position to hold? To answer this question we have to set aside our emotions and answer some questions.
First, is body autonomy absolute? Or does it have limits?
Second, is suicide a good solution to suffering?
Third, what is human dignity? What is the source of human dignity? Why treat human with dignity?
Fourth, what is compassion?
Photo by Milada Vigerova from Unsplash.com
Bodily Autonomy
I agree that people should be able to do with their bodies whatever they want. Even if I as a Christian believe that our bodies are not our own and are temples for God’s Spirit, not everyone may believe this. For example, if people want to get tattoos, piercings, or try a fringe hairstyle, they can; even it is offense to some.
However, bodily autonomy is not absolute. Suppose people who have body identity integrity disorder and they have an deep seeded desire to become blind, paralyzed, or an amputee, should doctors be legally required to fulfil their patients’ desires? Most medical professionals would not destroy healthy body parts on a healthy human being. Medical practitioners’ job is to be life-giving and life-affirming, not life-denying or life-destructive. There is a sense of how we as humans aught to be, which takes precedent over how we want to be.
But what about suffering?
There are two types of suffering, mental (which can include emotional) and physical. People who suffer with body identity integrity disorder are suffering a mental illness. They believe something about themselves that is contrary to their nature – healthy humans are ordered towards being physically able, having vision, and possessing all limbs. How is it possible to determine if people who are suffering from mental illness have the mental capacity to make informed decision about the value of their lives? Does a mental illness not imply the inability to make decisions with mental clarity?
I work in a high school where there are four support staff dedicated to assisting students mentally and spiritually. These staff are required to do anything to help students with suicidal thoughts. It would be good to reflect on why this is the case. At the same time, the government is telling teens that they should be able to take their own lives. So, which is it? Does their life have inherent value independent of their mental illness or does it not?
How about physical suffering? First, physical suffering is never desired, and medical professionals should do what it takes to ease pain. When people are in pain, it’s the pain they want taken away not their life. Should the focus not be on life affirming care that eases pain?
Second, suffering can be used for empowerment. I recently spoke with a young man who was left a paraplegic from a horrific car crash. He shared with me that he had suicidal thoughts, yet he chose love over death. Today, this young gentleman has completed two advanced degrees and speaks to schools bringing hope to thousands of young people. Should we not help people see how their “yes” to life can bring about a ripple-affect of positive change? Who knows how many young lives this man’s example has changed.
Human Dignity
Why do we have inherent dignity? What is human dignity? Is human dignity absolute? Is there an objective measure of human dignity? What authority determines if people have dignity or not?
From a secular perspective it’s hard to answer these questions? From materialistic perspective human beings are no more than cosmic accidents, who happen to have developed rational thoughts and occupy ourselves with questions of meaning, even though there is no real meaning. Ideas of meaning are human created concepts to help us with the brutal reality of life.
From a Christian perspective human dignity is rooted in being God’s unique creation. As I previously mentioned, if we are created by a personal Creator, then we belong to that Creator. Our lives are a gift. Our lives are not personal objects to be treated as we please. The way we treat ourselves speaks to how we relate to God.
Human dignity is not dependent on state in life or societal utility. Simply by being alive human have dignity. This is why we are human beings, not human doings?
Is euthanasia compassionate?
Etymology of the word compassion come from the Latin words, com and passio, which means “to suffer with” or “suffer alongside.” Is ending people’s lives suffering alongside of them? No, it’s the easy way out both for the patient and the medical practitioner. To share in someone’s suffering is to accompany them in their suffering. To love is to share in our loved ones’ pain.
Chiara Badano of Sassello, Italy, was only 16 years old when she was diagnosed with a painful form of bone cancer. She was an average teenager and had a strong devotion to Jesus. Chiara enjoyed going out with friends, playing sports, and hoped to travel in her future.
Chiara showed the world how to suffer well. Chiara knew her life was coming to an end, yet she didn’t allow her pain to conquer her. Instead, Chiara conquered the pain. Photos of Chiara in her final days show her with a faint smile on her face and eyes filled with life. She refused morphine in order to unit herself to Christ’s suffering on the cross and she would sneak out of her bed to spend time with other patients in the hospital. Through her suffering, Chiara brought her doctor to faith in Jesus and brought hope to hundreds of people in her hometown who lined up to see her. Chiara didn’t need their pity, it was they who needed Chiara to renew hope in their lives. Chiara passed away on October 7, 1990.
Conclusion
To legally permit euthanasia is to devalue the life of the most vulnerable. The elderly, terminally ill, the mentally ill, the needy, the emotionally unstable teenager, and the physically disabled now have the stigma of having less inherent value than a “healthy” human being attached to them. Imagine already feeling desolate only to have society further devalue you. Instead, should society not empower those who suffer? Should we not help them live up to their potential? Should we not help them see how their suffering can be life giving for more people than they can imagine? Do they no deserve real love and compassion?
Blessed Chiara Badano. Pray for us!
