Ethical Perspective
There are some governments around the world that have legalized euthanasia; it is still considered homicide, even if it is not prosecuted and not punishable if the perpetrator (the doctor) meets certain legal exceptions. Three of these countries are in Europe: Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg.
Although it is already legal in some countries, the public opinion about euthanasia is literally divided between those who fight for the legalization and those who fight against the legalization. Euthanasia is, therefore, a very controversial topic.
Many people state that it goes against human rights, especially the second article, which deals with the protection of life, and the fifth one, which deals with the right to liberty and security of a person. How can we determine, therefore, when it is no longer worth living? And, especially, how can we determine it for another person?
A survey conducted by the World Values Survey association in 2008/09, shows that many religions don't justify completely euthanasia. However, besides religion, euthanasia is an ethical issue, because it goes against moral principles. In fact, the survey attests also that many agnostics and atheists do not always justify euthanasia.
One of them is the agnostic oncologist Lucien Israel, president of the Academy of Moral and Political Science of the Institute of France. He affirms that euthanasia isn't a gesture of humanity and neither an act of compassion, but a project that challenges the medical profession.
The doctor must not surrender in front of death, but instill in the patient hope, trust, desire and strength to fight; because the doctor's "art" is " to take care" of patients. A doctor should know that there are many terminal diseases, but there aren't incurable diseases. Because to heal means finding a therapy for a disease; to cure means taking care and making better a patient's life.
"Concerning me" - Israel states - "my position doesn't depend on religious considerations: a doctor, be him agnostic or devoted, has no right to take the life of someone else, when he can actually relieve their sufferings."