Euthanasia is defined as the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma. Also known as mercy killings and physician-assisted suicide, it is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and two American states, Oregon and Washington. There are three types of euthanasia. They are voluntary euthanasia, involuntary euthanasia, and non-voluntary euthanasia. Whether or not euthanasia is moral is a subject that is often debated and it is very controversial. There are many things that have to be considered in determining whether or not euthanasia should be practiced. For example, many people feel that it is completely immoral and vile because they believe that everyone should die naturally. Also, people who are religious also believe that a person should not be able to decide when they are to leave this world. While this may be true, it is also evident that certain sick people do not have a quality of life. Voluntary euthanasia would allow these people to decide whether or not they want to stay alive. Therefore, is it just to take that right away from them? For instance, someone who is terminally ill and is suffering everyday is going to die eventually. Instead of keeping them alive on respirators and countless doses of medication, they can decide to die peacefully and with their dignity. Voluntary euthanasia can save money, and shorten the grief and suffering of both a patient and their families. A person should absolutely be able to decide to end their life if they are suffering or terminally ill. Furthermore, choosing voluntary euthanasia is a right that should be legal in more countries.
The word euthanasia originates from the Greek words "eu" which means easy or happy and "thanatos" which means death. In ancient Greece and Rome, before Christianity, the attitudes toward euthanasia were much different than what they are today.