An eighty-eight year old grandmother on a respirator, a newborn baby with AIDS, and a husband in a coma; all put to death by respectable doctors with the patient and family's permission. Is this really sanctioned? Euthanasia is the unnecessary killing of another human being. It is when someone, such as a doctor or loved one, intentionally terminates someone else's life. There are two forms of euthanasia, passive and active. There are many people both in favor of and opposed to euthanasia. The supporters feel that it is the sick person's decision whether to live or die. Whereas, those in opposition feel that God determines when someone will die. Many people are under the false impression that only sick elderly people request mercy killing. This is not completely true. Even though they are by far the largest majority in question, many other people in different situations request the aid of another to help them die.
There are many reasons why euthanasia should be legalized in the United States; aslo many reasons exist why is should not. As of today, the only state where any form of mercy killing is legal in the United States is Oregon. Euthanasia is also completely legal in the Netherlands. This act became legal in the Netherlands on November 29, 2000, when the Dutch Parliament voted to legalize physician assisted suicide in agreement with certain stipulations. The Netherlands is the first and only country to legalize euthanasia. According to their law, a patient must be seriously ill, if not terminal, to ask for help with death. Under this legislation, any doctor has the right to deny the patients wish if he or she does not feel that immediate death is the best option for the patient at hand. Physicians will still remain responsible for their actions. Also, the law applies to terminally ill children. A child between the ages of twelve and sixteen needs the consent of a parent and the cooperation of a doctor.
