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Euthanasia and assisted suicide, as medical practices, are becoming increasingly popular and legalized in many countries around the world. Today, they are legally recognized in several European countries, Canada, certain U.S. jurisdictions, and Australia, and are likely to become legal in more countries soon. Despite open opposition to euthanasia from proponents of traditional medical and religious ethics, modern Western culture and politics are systematically weakening their positions. The active push in this direction can be interpreted as deliberate pressure to abandon established principles of medical and religious ethics in favor of new norms dictated by global policies. Western countries, through legislative initiatives and mass culture, impose standards that fundamentally contradict the centuries-old traditions and values of other cultures.
Cinema and euthanasia propaganda: From Nazism to modern films
The influence of cinema in this matter is evident, starting with Nazi propaganda
in Germany and continuing with modern Western films. One of the most striking examples was the 1941 film Ich klage an (I Accuse), which became iconic in Nazi Germany and embodied the entire ideology of euthanasia during the Third Reich. It depicted a man suffering from an incurable disease asking a doctor to help him end his life. The film asserted that losing physical ability equated to losing the right to live. Since then, these ideas have become commonplace in Western cinema. Modern films, including six Oscar winners, also frequently portray euthanasia as a humane choice, highlighting the ethical aspects of relief from suffering. Films such as Me Before You, The Sea Inside, and Million Dollar Baby, depict euthanasia as a means of giving people control over their lives, where
patient autonomy and the right to die become central values. This portrayal shapes the perception that euthanasia is a normal practice while ignoring serious moral and religious considerations, especially in countries with different cultural contexts. The strategies employed by these films not only reflect the societal sentiments of Western elites but also actively shape them in other countries, imposing cultural standards that undermine the traditional foundations of many nations.
Euthanasia as a matter of state policy
Many Western countries, including the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia, have faced significant policy changes regarding euthanasia and assisted suicide. These changes have led to a substantial increase in such cases. In the Netherlands, euthanasia was legalized in 2002, and since then, the number of such deaths has reached 5% of all deaths in the country. Canada, which legalized assisted suicide in 2016, has also shown a sharp rise in such cases. In 2023, approximately 15,300 people used this service, accounting for 4.7% of all deaths in the country.
Particularly alarming is the fact that euthanasia in the Netherlands is permitted even in cases where the patient is not terminally ill. According to the law, it is sufficient for the patient to experience & unbearable suffering & without the prospect of improvement. Additionally, in some cases, patients can be under 18 years old, raising serious ethical questions about what constitutes voluntary consent.
In recent years, there has been an increase in cases of psychiatric euthanasia. In 2017, 83 such cases were recorded, causing public concern. Moreover, in some instances, decisions regarding psychiatric euthanasia were made not based on objective laboratory tests but on subjective diagnoses by doctors, sometimes raising doubts about their accuracy and fairness. The trend also raises serious questions about the future of medical ethics. For centuries, medicine adhered to the principles of Hippocrates, who strictly prohibited doctors from participating in killing, regardless of circumstances. In the modern world, the Hippocratic ideals have been replaced by concepts of the right to die and the right to choose for patients.
In the future, euthanasia may become a widespread practice, leading to numerous moral and social problems. Even today, despite laws protecting patient rights, decisions about euthanasia are sometimes made based on controversial and often subjective diagnoses, threatening principles of justice and humanity. The influence of Western legislative models in this area poses a serious challenge for countries with more conservative approaches.
Religion and ethics versus euthanasia
Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions, along with many other religions, categorically oppose euthanasia, asserting that life is a gift from God, and only He has the right to take it away. These religious views are based on the belief that death is a natural process that should not be artificially accelerated, and that euthanasia undermines the moral foundations of society. Despite this, the new ethics promoted by the West, which implies the legalization of euthanasia, continues to gain popularity.
It is critically important for medical professionals, lawmakers, and civil society around the world to seriously consider the consequences of legislative changes and seek ways to preserve human dignity and life, even in the face of severe suffering.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.