Some people might not know the term "Euthanasia" so I will define it for you. Euthanasia is an action or an omission, which of itself or by intention causes death in order that all suffering may in this way is eliminated. Some ways that can prevent this are the "ordinary means of preserving life." What is meant by that is all medicines, treatments and operations which offer a responsible hope of benefit for the patient, and which can be obtained and used without excessive expense, pain or other inconvenience. Also another term which is the "extraordinary means of preserving life" is just the complete opposite of the ordinary means. What is meant by extraordinary means is that all medicines, treatments and operations which cannot be obtained or used without excessive expense, pain or other inconvenience, and which offer no reasonable hope of benefit for the patient. With these two

McCafferty, Father. "Medicine and Morality." Holy Family College, Pennsylvania 18

Euthanasia has been accepted both legally and morally in various forms in many societies. In ancient Greece and Rome it was permissible in some situations to help others die. For example, the Greek writer Plutarch mentioned that in Sparta infanticide was practiced on children who lacked "health and vigor." Both Socrates and Plato sanctioned forms of euthanasia in certain cases. Voluntary euthanasia for the elderly was an approved custom in several ancient societies. With the rise of organized religion, euthanasia became morally and ethically abhorrent. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all hold human life sacred and condemn euthanasia in any form. Following traditional religious principles, Western laws have generally considered the act of helping someone to die a form of homicide subject to legal sanctions. Even a passive withholding of help to prevent death has frequently been severely punished. Euthanasia, however, occurs secretly in all societies, including those in which!

The medical profession has generally been caught in the middle of the social controversies that rage over euthanasia. Government and religious groups as well as the medical profession itself agree that doctors are not required to use "extraordinary means" to prolong the life of the terminally ill. What constitutes extraordinary means is usually left to the discretion of the patient's family. Modern technological advances, such as respirators and artificial kidney machines, have made it possible to keep persons alive for long periods of time even when they are permanently unconscious or irrevocably brain damaged. Proponents of euthanasia, however, believe that prolonging life in this way may cause great suffering to the patient and the family. In addition, certain life-support systems are so expensive that they cannot be provided for all potential patients. Some opponents of euthanasia have feared that the increasing success that doctors have had in transplanting human organs !

opposition from religious groups and many members of the medical profession.

The Sanctity of Life, which is also the Sacredness of Life, this entitles to tell people that they were made in the "likeness and image of God." We were also "redeemed or rescued" by Christ. We are destined to a particular kind of holiness and to a definite place with God in eternity. Final and last a fundamental and same right to life and to pastoral care, regardless of age or condition.

The rationale behind the catholic teaching on euthanasia, and therefore, on conserving health and life

Some common words found in the essay are:
Nazi Germany, Jack Kovorkian, , Judaism Islam, Ill Act, God Thou, Sacredness Life, Socrates Plato, Greece Rome, Benefit Principle, extraordinary means, hastening death, voluntary euthanasia, active euthanasia, euthanasia hastening death, euthanasia hastening, preserve life, hope benefit, human life, ordinary means, life god, euthanasia voluntary euthanasia, medicines treatments operations, death desires patient, religious medical profession,
Approximate Word count = 1770
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)