To kill or not to kill

Last weeks, my entire clan gathered to celebrate thirteen days grief ceremony of my beloved wife, who unfortunately encountered a severe road accident. She had just turned 23 when almost every part of her body was not in condition of normal functioning. She would yell at times, as if in pain or with temper and frustration. A tear sometimes slide down her cheeks. Sometimes her mouth used to be curved with fake smile. And all the while her body was worsening, her joints stiffening, her muscles narrowing in painful tremors. Keeping my wife alive for those last months seemed just like prolonging her death and forcing her to go through all those torture, despite knowing she will not live long. Then her only relief was the oblivion of chemical sleep.

Each time she wakes up with a fear to respond upcoming pain. Bini had been protected from dying, but she couldn’t enjoy even a bit of that life. One day she begged my something I could never give. She wants me to convince doctor to take her life and redeem her from these pains. I tried every means to convince doctor but then medical ethics and laws come in between mercy killing practice. Later after three months she died with all those heart rendering pain and this death was the only good thing that happened to her after accident. I didn’t mourn those three years. But always wished if Bini had died the easy death; no pain no suffering, just an end like natural fall.

The right to die is an idea backed by a philosophy that any human beings had freedom to end their own life or to undergo voluntary euthanasia. The debate of who, if anyone, should be authorized person to make this decision is often at peak of question. The issue of euthanasia is extremely scandalous and there are genuine concerns on either side of the discussion. The Supreme Court of Nepal has recently opened the debatable ground regarding legalization of Euthanasia. But there will always remain the disagreement of those who advocate to emotional superstitions about the holiness of life. Yet, if abortion can be legalize, why not mercy killing? Sometime I’m shocked by this rational polarity or fake idealism; how can any society discourage mercy killing when they can’t grant mercy life to unborn fetus?

But when this sacred life become burden, a prolonged torment with no hope of further life, isn’t it reasonable to terminate it rather than living with all those suffering ? Mercy killing should not be misunderstood with suicide or murder. It’s strictly related to salvation from physical suffering. And Euthanasia in Greek means “good death”. It is defined as the mechanism of intentionally ending one’s life in order to release lifelong pain.

It may be practical for doctor to abide by a patient’s wish for ‘voluntary euthanasia’ but that must be carried out in systematic and institutional way, including family at core of final decision.

Respond