Our society has adopted many rules that they think should apply to all the masses. One rule that our society has adopted, with a few notable exceptions in cases of war and capital punishment, is that is that it's wrong to take a life. This rule helps ensure personal security, interpersonal trust, and social stability. The "rule" is so important, some people say, that to change it at all, even for the most humane reasons, would do irreparable harm. Is this a logical, empathetic, way of looking at Euthanasia? It's just the opposite. Anyone who is suffering and in physical pain should be allowed to end their life if they are in a competent and sane state of mind.

Assisted suicide, or euthanasia is banned in most parts of the United States, (while in other parts, such as Oregon, the law is being appealed. Refusing to provide the means of death does a patient serious harm and ignores individual right to relieve suffering. In 1981, California native, 55 year old Clarence Herbert suffered a paralyzing heart attack and slipped into a coma after a surgery. His condition was hopeless, so at the family's request, a

Cowley, Geoffery and Hager, Mary. "Terminal Care: Too Painful, Too Prolonged"

No one wants to die alone, and no one wants to die a painful death or an undignified death. No one wants to know that they may "waste" away in front of friends and family. A person that may be facing such circumstances should be allowed to end their lives and it is unfair for a government to tell its citizens what they can and cannot do with their lives as long as they do not harm others.

Lace, Timothy J. "Should doctors take part in planned suicides?' Journal of American Medical Association, (Dec. 1989) Online CQ Researcher 16 Spt 2000

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1178
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)