Human Worth

In this world of moral relativism, objective morals are forgotten. This section will not address the moral aspects of euthanasia/assisted suicide. (See the Alleged "Right to Die" for a moral discussion.) It will discuss the issues from a secular point of view. The value of a human being cannot be measured. ALL people are valuable members of the entire human family. We do not "get rid of" people because society no longer deems them "useful" or because someone decides they do not have a "good quality of life."

When we begin down this road of using "quality of life" as a justification to either actively or passively bring about death, we enter a slippery slope. First, "quality of life" should be used merely to determine how to create a BETTER quality of life. However, if it is used to justify bringing about death, who is going to determine a person's "quality of life"? How can one be sure their intentions are pure? Consider the following:

• Doctors: How does one know whether the doctor is in favor of euthanasia? Afterall, some doctors perform/favor abortions. If they have no respect for life in the beginning, is it much of a leap to expect they fail to respect life after one is born?
• Family members: What might certain family members stand to gain from the death of an individual? Perhaps an inheritence? Perhaps the end of a marriage? Perhaps life insurance?
• Insurance Companies: Once a person dies, the insurance company no longer has to pay for treatment.
• Hospice/Hospital Administration: When the individual dies, the staff is able to focus on other people. The hospital/hospice is able to use the room/bed for another person.
• Government: If the government is providing benefits, the death of the person ends those benefits in most cases. Ending those benefits translates to cost savings.

The Terri Schiavo tragedy is a situation that should make ALL pro-lifers take pause. NOBODY is safe. If someone becomes disabled (which can easily happen in a variety of ways), they could easily have their lives ended.

Eventually, disability may not be the only justification. Our society places so much emphasis on the way a person looks. Perhaps if someone has a deformity, it may be determined that they have a "poor quality of life." Going a step further, perhaps if someone does not have strong athletic abilities or a high IQ, it will be said that they have a "poor quality of life." Perhaps if they do not have a particular hair and eye color, it will be said that they have a "poor quality of life."