What is euthanasia?
Euthanasia, also known as mercy killing or assisted suicide, is "the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma." The practice is illegal in most countries.
Three types
There are 3 types of euthanasia.
(1) Voluntary Euthanasia: conducted with consent
(2) Involuntary Euthanasia: conducted without consent; if the patient is incapable of doing so himself/herself, another person makes the decision
(3) Non-voluntary Euthanasia: Euthanasia conducted when the consent of the patient is unavailable is termed non-voluntary euthanasia. Examples include child euthanasia. It is illegal in all countries.
Each type of Euthanasia can be divided into passive and active Euthanasia.
(1) Voluntary Euthanasia: conducted with consent
(2) Involuntary Euthanasia: conducted without consent; if the patient is incapable of doing so himself/herself, another person makes the decision
(3) Non-voluntary Euthanasia: Euthanasia conducted when the consent of the patient is unavailable is termed non-voluntary euthanasia. Examples include child euthanasia. It is illegal in all countries.
Each type of Euthanasia can be divided into passive and active Euthanasia.
TWO TYPES of procedure
There are two procedural classifications.
(1) Passive Euthanasia: witholding life-sustaining treatments
(2) Active Euthanasia: using lethal substances or forces
(1) Passive Euthanasia: witholding life-sustaining treatments
(2) Active Euthanasia: using lethal substances or forces
Why euthanasia?
For
People deserve to live in a more "civilized" society.
People should be allowed the freedom and choice to die in dignity and without pain. Loved ones should be allowed to help them do it if they cannot manage it on their own. We control our body. We should be in charge of what happens to it. Some people do not want to live as long as others, and they feel as if they are being ripped of their freedoms and human rights when they are not granted euthanasia. If suicide is not a crime, then euthanasia shouldn't be either. |
Against
It's simply a murder.
Some religions believe that life is given for a reason by a higher power, and only that higher power has the right to end it. The laws that would have to be implemented if euthanasia was made legal would be abused and people who didn't want to die may die. Temptations to view elderly or disabled family members as "burdens" will increase, as well as these family members feeling and viewing themselves as burdens. |