|
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Nalzaro: Mercy killing
By Bobby Nalzaro
IF not for the death of Pope John Paul II, the “mercy killing” of a housewife in Florida may have been the most controversial issue in the US last week.
But the debate on the death of Terri Schiavo is still raging in the US that even President George W. Bush issued a statement condemning the legal act of euthanasia.
But how can the President of even the most powerful nation in the world defy a court order?
Besides, the state also allows mercy killing. There is, after all, a separation of powers among the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government.
Terri Schiavo had been bedridden for the last 15 years after suffering a stroke. She had been in “vegetative state” since then, and relied on life support apparatus.
Doctors had said there was no way for her to regain her physical condition before the stroke.
Terri’s husband petitioned the Florida court to allow the removal of the life support apparatus to end her suffering.
But Terri’s parents questioned the court ruling before the US Federal Supreme Court and argued that Terri had a chance to survive. They believed that Terri would have been cured by a miracle.
But the US Federal Supreme Court upheld the Florida court ruling with the testimonies of Terri’s doctors, who said that there is a slim chance for her to recover. The Supreme Court also ruled that Terri’s husband was her legal guardian, not her parents.
So, time did come that doctors removed the life support apparatus and Terri died a few days after without suffering further pain.
Terri’s fate was condemned by the American people and the Roman Catholic Church. They opposed euthanasia, saying that life is so precious and that only God can take away the life of a human being.
Well, this has been the usual argument of the church even on contraception and summary execution or salvaging.
In the Philippines, it is very difficult for us to adopt mercy killing because of our culture and religious values.
Kung puwede pa lang dili gani halos nato ipalubong ang namatay nga minahal sa kinabuhi kay gusto pa natong sud-ungon.
We sometimes allow our emotions to rule our mind. But in other countries, people are practical. If a patient is considered clinically dead, they are given the right to die.
(bobby@sunstar.com.ph/text 09193181404)
(April 12, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
