Euthanasia, a tricky topic

The process of euthanasia is a difficult topic to discuss here in Chile. That´s because of the strong influence of religion and the conservative politics in the parliamentarians when they legislate this problem.

To understand this debate we need to know the different types of euthanasia and it´s differences with assisted suicide and in that base, I will give my opinion. First, there are two types of euthanasia: passive euthanasia and active euthanasia.

In that order, the first is when the medic ends up the treatment to extend the life of the patient. 

However, the drugs that can suppress the pain of the disease are still using. This form of euthanasia is validated by the Chilean law since 2012, and in others countries too. I think that this form is good, but the efficacy of the process is restrict by the disease and put the will of the individual in seconds place, I mean, if a person wants to end his or her own life, why not they just help him or her to do it quickly.

The second form of euthanasia is the active. In this process, the specialist deploy all the methods to end the life of the patient who wants to die because of a disease or/and constant pain. This method is the one which allows for the complete will of the patient. It´s true that she or he can change their mind in the last second, but because of that, it’s necessary to educate the people in the moment of make such an important decision.

The last topic that I want to talk about is the assisted suicide. This is the one which the patient itself puts to an end his life, been supporting by the medics. I think this type is more difficult because it leaves all the responsibility to the patient, and that cause fears and failures in the process.