Pro-Euthanasia
One of the biggest controversies of this decade is euthanasia. Euthanasia is killing, killing in the name of compassion and mercy. Euthanasia extends the license of state permitted killing; when permitted, it allows one human being to kill another. Its advocates present euthanasia as a caring, merciful, humane act. Its advocates employ a two-pronged strategy claiming: 1) that it should be "legalized" by the legislature, and 2) that it is a fundamental constitutional right. There are four types of euthanasia: voluntary and direct, voluntary but indirect, direct but involuntary, and indirect and involuntary. Voluntary and direct euthanasia is chosen and carried out by the patient. Voluntary but indirect euthanasia is chosen in advance. Direct but involuntary euthanasia is done for the patient without his or her request. Indirect and involuntary euthanasia occurs when a hospital decides that it is time to remove life support. People are killed in war, self-defense and capital punishment. All murder is wrong, but not all killing is murder. Hence, euthanasia is not wrong simply because it is killing. The whole issue is whether or not it is justified killing. The burden of proof is on those who would say, "this particular killing of a h
The courts have had to deal with a number of rights that are related to euthanasia: 1) The right to reject unwanted medical procedures, 2) The right to commit suicide solely by one's own acts, 3) The right to commit suicide with the assistance of another's, and 4) The right to authorize another to directly and intentionally kill the one seeking death. Only one state, Oregon, has legalized assisted suicide. The Oregon statute, which went into effect in Ocotober 1997, provides that a doctor may prescribe, but not administer, a lethal dose of medication to patient who has less than six months to live. Two doctors must agree that the patient is mentally competent and that the decision was voluntary. As of April 1999, 23 patients were given drugs under the statute, and 15 of them used the drugs to commit suicide. A report released by Oregon State Health Division reviewing the first year of the law's implementation found that the law was working well and had not been subject to abuse. Why must it be illegal then? The Fifth Amendment clearly states: "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb, nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation." It also violates the Fourteenth Amendment which clearly states: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wh
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Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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