Essay on Euthanasia

Free Euthanasia papers

Euthanasia
Many people confronted with a terminal illness are confused about what they can do as a dying person. This is when euthanasia is often discussed. Deciding that this is the only option is a long drawn out process. Being that a large part of American society is of Christian beliefs, it is necessary to

Euthanasia
Euthanasia, mercy killing, assisted suicide, and help to die. These are all ways to say the same thing. Euthanasia can be defined as either ending the life of an individual that has a terminal illness or physical handicap or the withholding of medical treatment, that results in death, from an indivi

In the United States, by current individual state laws, any form of euthanasia

is murder and considered a criminal offense (ACT). At this time there are still

no federal laws prohibiting the practice of euthanasia as a country. Euthanasia,

by definition, is the intentional killing of a person, for compassionate

motives, whether the killing is by a direct action such as a lethal injection,

or by failing to perform an action necessary to maintain life. When discussing

euthanasia there are many questions to consider before passing judgements for

either side. First we should decide “ Is there a need for euthanasia”? Next, we

must determine “ Who euthanasia is proposed for” and “ What practices are

involved”? Then, we need to view the public opinion and the current view the law

holds to completely weigh all the aspects of euthanasia to make an informed

decision of whether or not euthanasia should be legal.

The first aspect of euthanasia we must look at is “ Is there a need for

euthanasia”? Terminally ill patients are the ones who actively seek euthanasia.

Terminally ill patients are the major stakeholders in this debate (Kelliher).

Terminally ill cancer patients are the majority who support physician-assisted

suicide. Patients seek euthanasia when symptoms become too painful to endure.

Some of these patients are in such pain even under massive amounts of pain

medication they would rather terminate their life then continue to suffer until

the inescapable ending of death when their body finally gives up (Religious

Tolerance). Pain is pain and is unavoidable in terminally ill patients, who

without the choice will suffer a great deal of pain even longer.

Euthanasia, for the most part has been proposed for those who are stricken by a

terminal disease, from which they suffer severe pain (ACT). Euthanasia is a very

unique decision in which terminally ill patients would have the choice to hasten

the amount of pain in which they suffer by choosing to pass away. Though more

recently euthanasia has been being used as an alternative method for persons who

wish to die for some apparent reason such as being just plain tired of life. In

such a case the projected intentions of euthanasia would be abused (ACT).

Even though many of us are not aware of all the terms and definitions associated

with euthanasia there are two things that, regardless of education and location,

everyone questions; “What practices are involved in the act of Euthanasia” and

“Who is responsible for these acts”?...

ACT Right to Life Association. “Euthanasia: killing the dying” Foundation for

Human

Development. http://www.kyrie.com/actrtla/euth/euthanas.html

Kelliher, Jeff. “Terminally Ill Favor Right to End Own Lives” Health SCOUT

Reporter. 15 Sept.

00. http://www.dailynews.yahoo.com

Religious Tolerance. “Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide”

http://www.religoustolerance.org/euthanas.htm

Voluntary Euthanasia Society. “Factsheets-Public Opinion”.

http://www.ves.org.uk/DpFS_PubOp.html