Legalization Of Active Euthanasia Term paper

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The term Euthanasia has become well known throughout the United States.

Euthanasia is derived from the Greek words “eu” and “thantos”, these words come

together to form the phrase “easy death.” Today, euthanasia is referred to by many names

such as mercy killing, and assisted suicide. There is much controversy over whether or

not the practice is right. Euthanasia raises many religious, legal, medical and ethical

issues. The question of euthanasia being right or wrong is one that most would prefer to

leave alone. However the unique cases of euthanasia bring up the consideration of

legalization. Those for euthanasia feel that government should consider legalizing active

euthanasia because, suffering before death is unbearable not only for terminal patients but

for the family members and friends.

Euthanasia can be either passive or active. Active euthanasia is when a physician

or other medical personnel hastens as suffering patient’s death. To carry out this process

an overdose of drugs is introduced to the patient’s system as a form of insulin,

barbiturates, or morphine. Passive euthanasia allows the patient to die due to lack of

treatment. This includes stopping the food supply and taking the patient off life support

systems. This is also known as ‘pulling the plug’ (Compton’s Interactive Encyclopedia).

All cultures have strong prohibitions against killing. However cultures and

religions approve of killing in time of war or in defense against a life-threatening attack.

There are sixty-two verses in the Bible calling for killing as punishment for

approximately thirty various forms of disobeying the commandments (Neils, Section

1-Chapter 7). The Fifth Commandment states simply “Thou shalt not kill.”

“Aid-in-dying is not killing. Killing is doing something to someone against their

will to end their living. Physician aid-in-dying is doing something with someone

who requests it to end their life. Murder and killing are done against one’s will.

Physician aid-in-dying is done with the one’s permission. Therefore the words

murder and killing are inappropriate when referring to physician assistance in

dying” (Neil, Section1-Chapter4).

Questions are asked about why one form of euthanasia is preferred over the other.

The difference between active and passive euthanasia is that active euthanasia is legally

murder, while passive euthanasia is ‘merciful killing’. Turning off life support systems is

said to be a positive act of death (Singer, 76). The Encyclopedia of Bio-Ethics states that

Hebraic and Jewish religions strongly oppose the practice of euthanasia in any form.

Both religions believe that life is a very precious and divine gift and that it should be

protected and cherished. “Death must never be hastened by intention. Physicians who

kill patients in order to spare them pain are considered murderers (Encyclopedia of

Bio-Ethics, 554-555).” Although Judaism also rejects euthanasia as a concept, they do

accept mercy killing. This includes letting terminally ill persons die.

Early Christians were against self-induced death to end suffering and despair.

They also despise such practices such as abortion (Encyclopedia of Bio-Ethics,556).

Roman Catholics permit terminally ill patients to die by forgoing life-sustaining

measures. Catholics also allow refusing forms of treatment (Encyclopedia of Bio-Ethics,

557).

When many argue the issue of euthanasia it is common for one to forget who and

what, they really are defending. The ERGO organization states “It is widely believed that

there are only two options open to patients with terminal illness. One can either chose to

die slowly in unrelieved suffering, or receive euthanasia.

In 1999 the Dying Well Network produced an experiment involving physicians in

Spokane, Washington (Neil, Section 2-Chapter 2). Of 197 patients 77 percent wished to

die because they were informed that control of bodily functions will be lost in the future.

Of 119 patients 57 percent sought euthanasia due to being restricted to a bed. 52 percent

of the 108 patients wished to die due to the severe suffering. 35 percent of the 73 patients

wanted to die because of severe pain. 75 percent of 156 patients responded being a

burden to others as being a good reason to die. Being dependent upon other met the

standards of 74 percent of the 154 asked. Seventy two percent of 154 patients said that

the loss of dignity was good enough to receive euthanasia. Experiencing severe

depression was the answer of 55 percent of the 114 patients asked. Note that pain was the

lease often given reason for wanting to be euthanized. Loss of control and dignity, being

a burden and dependent, and being restricted to the bed most of the time are reasons most

often given to wish for a hastened death (Neils, Section 2-Chapter-2).

The debate on physician assisted suicide in Canada and the united States,

continues to focus almost completely on the rights and responsibilities of the two

principals: the patient, and...

“Death and Dying: Euthanasia and Sustaining life.” Encyclopedia of Bioethics. 1995.

“Euthanasia.” Compton’s Interactive Encyclopedia Compton’s Home Library. CD-ROM.
1994-97 ed. Cambridge: Microsoft, 1994

Hall, Kevin. Living and Dying with Dignity. New York: Barnes and Noble Publications,
1994.

“Kevorkian’s Patients: More Details,” The K-Files, online, Internet, 28 May. 2000

Neils, Rob Death with Dignity. New York: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 1997.

“Pain Relief Promotions Act,” Death and Dying, online, Internet, 18 May. 2000

Singer, Peter. Rethinking Life and Death. New York: St. Martins Press, 1994.

“Twelve Reasons Why Euthanasia Should Not Be Legalized,” Euthanasia Research and
Guidance Organization, online, Internet, 20 May. 2000 You should cite this paper as follows:

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