Brittany Maynard will die on Nov. 1. The Oregon resident will take a doctor-prescribed pill to end her life.
Maynard, diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, advocates implementing and expanding death with dignity laws in other states, and her efforts have brought the issue of euthanasia to the forefront of the public’s mind.
Most people express clear, unambiguous opinions about this controversial issue. They either staunchly support euthanasia as a right to exercise liberty or wholeheartedly disagree with it and defend the sacredness of human life, even in suffering. My opinion is that I want to extend compassion, but I also want to value life.
This opinion falls somewhere in the middle, in a gray area in between the black and white. I am not the only one stuck in this gray area, and this unsure, but deeply concerned opinion deserves to be heard. The public should also truly investigate and consider both sides of the argument before making a decision.
The topic of euthanasia is surrounded by strong moral and ethical principles on both sides. The issue demands gentleness and compassion, regardless of what stance you take.
I admit, when I first briefly heard about the publicity Maynard received, I wrote her off as an activist who wanted everyone to understand she had the right to die. However, further research proved me wrong, as well as proved that my initial thoughts were insensitive, ill-informed and incorrect.
In Maynard’s YouTube video, which currently has more than 7 million views, she and her family discuss her choice.
Maynard didn’t decide hastily. She doesn’t have a desire to commit suicide. She wants to live, but there is no cure for her disease. Her condition is deteriorating, and she doesn’t want to continue suffering when there appears to be no hope for recovery.
Maynard, who moved to Oregon so she could qualify for euthanasia, simply wants to tell her story so that other people can have the choice she did.
A response to Maynard’s story has also received media attention. Kara Tippetts, 38, also has terminal cancer. She is a wife, mother and devout Christian. After hearing Maynard’s story, she reached out to Maynard in a letter published on aholyexperience.com.
The letter is touching and pleads with Maynard not to end her life. Tippetts extends her greatest sympathy for Maynard’s situation but gently and gracefully begs Maynard to reconsider because she believes it should not be our decision to end our lives.
Tippetts encourages Maynard to live until her last breath, to not hasten the end of her life because it is choosing life and not choosing death that is truly the courageous story.
My personal values and morals want to stand with Tippetts, but it is difficult to completely agree when considering Maynard’s grim situation.
Tippetts writes about the Hippocratic Oath which states, “First, do no harm.” She explains doctors who prescribe pills for death are doing their patients harm. However, the other equally thought-provoking side of this argument is that doctors hurt their patients by not prescribing the pill.
Discussion of the Hippocratic Oath leads to a conversation about the pros and cons of euthanasia. These arguments mostly deal with whether choosing death is a constitutional right and if allowing the practice leads to a slippery slope of euthanasia for the elderly or those with mental and psychological problems.
There are no clear answers to these questions, and it can be difficult to agree with one side. For now, both the stories of Brittany Maynard and Kara Tippetts shape my uncertain stance on euthanasia and my plea to carefully consider both sides due to the heaviness of this issue.
By all means, pick a side and stick with it, but do this carefully and with discretion. Make sure you know why you chose your given side. If your research happens to land you somewhere in the middle, that’s all right.
Most importantly, be sure to maintain respect and understanding for those who disagree with you. Both sides of this issue are ultimately concerned about the dignity and quality of human life.
Lindsay Alexander is a UF journalism sophomore. Her column appears on Wednesdays.
[A version of this story ran on page 7 on 10/15/2014]
