Account of the Karen Ann Quinlan Euthanasia Case Essay

One of the landmark cases that involve euthanasia is that of KarenAnn Quinlan. Quinlan, a twenty-one year old New Jersey resident, overdosedon pills and alcohol in 1975. She was rushed to the hospital where herphysical condition gradually deteriorated to a vegetative state. Thedoctors determined she had no chance of recovery. Before the coma Karensaid that if anything ever happened that would leave her physically andmentally incompetent, without any chance of recovery, she would not want tobe kept alive by "extraordinary medical procedures," notes Derek Humphry.Karen's parents sought religious counsel from their priest. They were toldthat the Catholic religion allows the removal of extraordinary care if thepatient was in a terminal condition. Karen's parents requested she beremoved from the respirator. The hospital denied their request. TheQuinlans then directed their request to the court. The superior courtdenied their request. They took their request to the New Jersey Supremecourt where the decision was reversed. Karen was removed from therespirator. To everyone's surprise, Karen began breathing on her own andlived another ten years (Humphry 107). The Quinlan case brought to the forefront patients' desire to die aproud, quiet death. It also brought to the forefront the complicationscaused by the advancement of medical technology ("Euthanasia"27).Euthanasia has been practiced in Eastern and Western culture since thebeginning of civilization. The capability of medical technology to extendlife (as demonstrated by the Quinlan case) has made the issue of euthanasiamore complicated. Individuals should be allowed to "die with dignity" inthe event of terminal illness if he or she wants it. Terminating apatient's life is much more merciful than allowing him or her to die a slowpainful death from illness. Those who oppose legalizing euthanasia andassisted suicide say that this could lead to involuntary killing of theaged and infirm. I agree that there may be danger of abuse and that thevulnerable need to be protected therefore, I support passing legislationthat monitors and regulates physician assisted suicide. The demand forlegislation in support of...

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