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Should euthanasia be legalized?
Loading Discussion
Selected claim, opposing its parent
The legalization of euthanasia could devalue life.
Pros
Cons
Pro claim 1, children below
The legalization of euthanasia might send a message to terminally ill people that their life is not worth living.
Pro claim 2, children below
Most religions value life as sacred and accept no circumstances under which it can be prematurely ended.
Pro claim 3, children below
If people view life as less important and valuable, there will be a slippery slope towards more killing, both voluntary and involuntary.
Con claim 1, children below
"
Passive euthanasia
," which is functionally equivalent to "active euthanasia," is already
allowed
in most jurisdictions and has not led to the devaluation of life.
Con claim 2, children below
Legalized euthanasia does not devalue life as it does not prescribe that patients should end their lives. Euthanasia merely gives patients more autonomy to make decisions.