Euthanasia2
The origin of the word 'euthanasia' comes from the Greek -- eu, "good," and thanatos, "death," meaning literally, "good death." But the word "euthanasia" has acquired a more complex meaning in modern times. It is generally taken nowadays to mean doing something about achieving a good death. Suicide, self-deliverance, auto-euthanasia, aid-in-dying, assisted suicide -- call it what you like -- can be justified by the average supporter of the so-called '"right to die" movement. It is advanced terminal illness that is causing unbearable suffering to the individual. This is the most common reason to seek an early end. Grave physical handicap which is so restricting that the individual cannot, even after due consideration, counseling and retraining, tolerate such a limited existence. This is a fairly rare reason for suicide -- most impaired people cope remarkably well with their affliction -- but there are some who would, at a certain point, rather die. What are the ethical parameters for euthanasia? The person is a mature adult. This is essential. The exact age will depend on the individual but the person should not be a minor who comes under
quite different laws. The person has clearly made a considered decision. An individual has the ability nowadays to indicate this with a "Living Will" (which applies only to disconnection of life supports) and can also, in One reason that just about everyone who favors euthanasia agrees with is that a person has the right to a death with dignity. Another reason is a person should be allowed a "natural death" instead of a prolonged death with medical equipment . Still another reason is that doctors are supposed to ease the pain of people, not prolong it. (Battin 19). Death is one of the few things that all people have in common. This means that there is a chance for anyone to face the decision of letting someone go. People should be allowed to control their own deaths. Why should patients be forced to live if he or she think their present standard of life has "degenerated to the point of meaningless," when doctors can no longer help, and perhaps the pain has become unbearable? At this point, if the persons of sound mind, he or she should have the choice to continue on or to peacefully die, even if they need assistance in doing so (Larue 153). If the person is not able to make this decision, there should be a few options: a living will and the family's choice. A doctor should be at least an advisor. They are the ones with the medical knowledge, and know the present condition of the patient. "In any humane or humanistic view of what is good, it is morally wrong to compel hopelessly suffering or irreversible debilitated patients to stay alive when death is freely elected" (Larue 151). In some cases, like terminal illness, "death is often better than prolonged suffering," mainly due to the way that the person will die. They may have to go through a long period of pain and suffering.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1965
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)
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