Euthanasia the final analysis
In America today many arguments are centered around the right to choose: the right for women to have an abortion, the right for gays to be allowed to raise children or be legally married, and the right to physician-assisted suicide. These arguments all have something to do with the individual having the right to make this choice or if society should be able to decide for them, thus removing this choice. Euthanasia is a choice everyone should have, but like all rights, it should not be taken advantage. By legalizing euthanasia the practice of assisted suicide would be an available choice as well as regulated to see that it does not get abused and used for the wrong reasons. The word 'euthanasia' is derived from the Greek - eu, "good", and thanatos, meaning "death" [Marker, Special to Insight]. Some think of euthanasia as mercy killing, while others see it as murder. There are two ways to induce euthanasia, actively or passively. Passive euthanasia is defined as the bringing about of someone's death by withdrawing all forms of support and letting nature run its course. Active euthanasia involves causing death to someone through a direct action, like giving someone a lethal injection of controll
ed substances, or a high dose of carbon monoxide. The Economist, October 16, 1999, U.S. Edition, The Economist Newspaper Ltd. There are many cases where euthanasia has come under close scrutiny. Most memorable are those involving Dr. Kavorkian. Known as "Dr. Death", as some headlines read, Dr. Kavorkian has become famous for his many assisted suicides with his suicide machine. In most cases the people involved in these high profile cases are battling a terminal illness, are in great pain, and have a quality of life so low they do not have the will to go on living. It is obvious that all medical treatment has been exhausted and that there has been a great deal of time and thought put into this decision. Why then are these people not allowed to seek out a painless alternative in their situation? When it comes to euthanasia, many moral and ethical questions arise. For instance, what if the practice of physician-assisted suicide gets out of control and abused? What if it being used carelessly or for all the wrong reasons? What about the religious aspects? What if euthanasia causes those who are disabled or old fear that their life may be taken against their will? This is where the law would step in and set limits to decide under what circumstances assisted suicide would be acceptable. The arguments both for and against Euthanasia will continue for years to come as it has in the past. Aristotle condemned it. David Hume defended it. Jean-Jacques Rousseau called the right to suicide a "clear and self-evident principle" [Economist, Oct 16,'99]. Yet in today's society, especially in America, it goes beyond the "suicide is bad" argument. In America it needs to center around rights. A great person once said that we do not have the freedom of speech unless we have the freedom to refuse to speak
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1227
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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