Euthanasia- A threat to the welfare or an opportunity?

In parallel with medical developments, the debate on euthanasia has gained new momentumin the Western world. Many countries have now legalized various forms of euthanasia, whileothers are investigating the issue. Euthanasia has been described as a difficult issue with manydimensions and worldwide there is no consensus among philosophers. The question ofeuthanasia may be relevant in the various cases where patients suffer and experienceunnecessary pain due to various diseases. The consequence of a bodily pain can lead toexistential thoughts about the meaning of life in these people. People who cannot find ameaningful continuation with their lives can express a wish to end their lives througheuthanasia. A literature review has been undertaken and various databases have been used inorder to search for scientific articles, debates and philosophical books. The purpose of thisthesis is to describe the state of knowledge about euthanasia and whether we should alloweuthanasia in Sweden. Four main arguments for and against euthanasia have been identified:1) the right to life, 2) the principle of autonomy, 3) the patient's best interests, and 4)euthanasia as a substitute for palliative care and the slippery slope argument.It is true that euthanasia poses a direct threat to the right to life and the sanctity of life. At thesame time the right to life can also be interpreted as having self-determination to end one's lifeat any time. A ban on euthanasia may benefit the right to life but it could mean an unwantedlife for many patients who suffer. A ban could also lead to a violation of personal integrity ofthe patient where they may experience not being taken seriously.There are, of course, several concerns and criticisms directed to a legalization of euthanasia.For example, patients who request euthanasia may be in a vulnerable position due to theirillness and/or lack of social or economic resources and therefore choose euthanasia. It canalso be that people would be pressured to request euthanasia. Another concern is that thelegalization of voluntary euthanasia could risk leading to the legalization of non-voluntaryeuthanasia, which means including other people in the euthanasia decision without their ownconsent. These risks are worth reflecting on and it is always difficult to balance the benefitsagainst risks concerning euthanasia. The best interests of the patient should be a guidingprinciple in decision-making in euthanasia and one should always try to reduce unnecessarysuffering