ASSISTED SUICIDE VS PRESERVATION OF LIFE

If I cannot give consent to my own death, whose body is this? Who owns my
life? And “I am not afraid of being dead. I am just afraid of what you might
have to go through to get there.” These two quotes summarise the crucks of
the debate around assisted suicide or preservation of life and are very
dependent on personal opinion.

Today, I want to discuss assisted suicide and life preservation, two very serious
subjects. Though difficult to have, this discussion is crucial.
When someone assists another person take their own life, the practice is
referred to as assisted suicide or euthanasia. This is typically carried out when
the patient has a terminal condition or is in excruciating discomfort. On the
other hand, the concept that life is sacrosanct and ought to be defended at all
costs is known as the preservation of life.

So, what should you do in this circumstance? Should we make every effort to
keep people alive or should we let them decide when they wish to die?
There are no simple solutions to this challenging question. On the one hand,
we have the freedom to decide what happens in our own lives, including
whether to end them if they are causing us pain. On the other hand, life is
precious, and we should take every precaution to protect it.

In South Africa, assisted suicide is a criminal offence.The South African Medical

Association (SAMA) has stated that it does not support the right to die in law
and opposes euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide in line with the Health
Professions Council of South Africa’s policies. Is this still relevant or should
South African legislation be revised to be more relevant to the times?
Making sure that people have access to the best care and assistance is, in my
opinion, of utmost importance. There should be access to pain management
and mental health services for those who are suffering. Palliative care, which is
specialist treatment for those with life-threatening illnesses, should also be
available to them.

Additionally, we should strive to build a culture where everyone, regardless of

their situation, feels appreciated and supported. People may be less inclined to
decide to end their lives if they believe that they have a reason to live.
There is ultimately no right or wrong response to this query. Each person's
situation is unique, and the choice is quite personal. However, we can ensure
that people have access to the information and assistance they require in
order to make the best choice possible for themselves.

REFERENCES
South African Medical Journal, S. Afr. med. j. vol.105 n.7 Pretoria Jul. 2015.
http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/SAMJNEW.7706
Theo A Boer.2014. Euthanasia, Ethics and Theology: A Dutch Perspective.
Review of Ecumenical Studies Sibiu Vol.6 n.2. Page 197 – 213. http://dx.DOI:
10.2478/ress-2014-0116
Loyd, L. 2004. Mortality and morality: ageing and the ethics of care. Ageing and
Society. Vol.24n.2. Page 235 – 256.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x03001648