高考英语《流行话题 语境识词 4500》Unit 82 Euthanasia For and Against 素材Unit 82 Euthanasia: For and Against "We mustn't delay any longer ... swallowing is difficult ... and breathing, too ... Those muscles are weakening ..." These were the wor ds of Dutchman van Wendel asking his doctor to help him die. Affected with a serious disease, van Wendel was no longer able to speak clearly and he knew there was no hope of recovery and that his condition was deteriorating. Van Wendel's last three months of life before being given a final, lethal injection by his doctor were filmed and first shown on television in the Netherlands. The program has been bought by 20 countries and each time it i s shown, it triggers a nationwide debate on the subject. The Netherlands is the only country in Europe which permits euthanasia, although it is not technically legal there. However, doctors who carry out euthanasia under strict guidelines introduced by the Dutch parliament are usually not prosecuted. The guidelines demand that the patient is experiencing extreme suffering, that there is no chance of a cure, and that the patient has made repeated requests for euthanasia. In addition, a second doctor must confirm that these criteria have been met and the death must be reported to the police department. Should doctors be allowed to take the lives of others? Dr. Van Oijen, Van Wendel's doctor explains how he looks at the question, "it's not as if I'm planning to kill a crowd with a machine gun. I c are for people and I try to ensure they don't suffer too much." Many people, though, are totally against the practice. Do. Ferguson, Chairman of Healthcare Opposed to Euthanasia, says that "In the vast majority...
