For Mercys Sake Summary

The article, For Mercys Sake by Patrick Martin discusses the controversial
subject of euthanasia. Euthanasia is the act of taking a persons life through means
of omission or dose of a fatal substance for the apparent benefit of the one suicidal
as they are unable to commit the act themselves. As displayed through the article,
the author, Patrick Martin, believes that euthanasia should be legalized under the
circumstances that only medical practitioners administer the lethal substance in
order to relieve the ill of their pain. The act of euthanasia is currently illegal in
Canada but pro-euthanasia organizations are rapidly expanding within the country.
These organizations include groups such as the Hemlock Society and Torontos
Dying with Dignity group. The Hemlock Society alone has more than 34 000
members. The essay outlines two major contributors to the growth of such
organizations: the advancement in medical technology which allows patients with
terminal illnesses to live longer and the rise of AIDS. Many patients strongly dislike
the idea of the medical advancement as the prolongation of their lives also means
the prolonging of the pain they are suffering through. Those affected by AIDS are so
disgusted by the last phase of the illness that they rather take their own lives than
go through the suffering. Psychologist Shelagh Emmott of Toronto General Hospital
states that those suffering from AIDS are more prone to killing themselves. Martins
article also discusses the difference between passive and active euthanasia. The
author describes active euthanasia as committing an act that directly causes the
death of a patient. An example of which would be a lethal morphine injection.
Passive euthanasia is described as being the death of a patient through the means
of excluding their treatment. The death of the patient in this case would be
considered natural, therefore being classified as passive. In addition to this, the
article describes euthanasia in relation to the law in Canada and other countries.
The article states that the act of euthanasia is on Canadas criminal code and is
considered illegal. Although illegal in Canada, the Netherlands have legalized the
act of euthanasia. In the Netherlands system, euthanasia is permitted even if the
patient is not affected by a terminal illness. The Netherlands set the limit between
those who are capable of making an educated decision and those who are not.
Those incapable of doing so cannot go through with the act of euthanasia. The
Dutch courts state that mentally handicap patients are not permitted to receive
euthanasia even if they requested for the deed before they were affected by
whatever issue caused them to remain in that state. The article states that the
medical profession avoids the system of euthanasia, but Patrick Martin believes that
doctors should practice the act as in some cases; helping someone take their own
life is a form of medical treatment.