Euthanasia, which is also known as assisted suicide, is the painless.
"The term "euthanasia" is derived from the.
Ancient Greek, and means "good Death" (Torr 12). "Euthanasia is a broad term.
for mercy killing-taking a life of a hopelessly ill or injured individual in.
order to end his or her suffering" (12). Euthanasia is done one of two ways. .
It is either done actively or passively. Passive euthanasia is when someone.
disconnects a respirator or removes a feeding tube from someone who is solely.
dependant upon it (Bender 13). Active euthanasia is giving a patient an.
overdose of pills or perhaps a deathly injection of a substance (13). While.
passive euthanasia has become acceptable, active euthanasia is very.
controversial issue. Euthanasia is not a new idea to our culture. "In.
ancient Greece, the government gave hemlock to those who wanted it (13). .
Though, individuals" opposing the idea of euthanasia is not anything new. In.
1868, over half of the thirty-seven states prohibited the act of euthanasia.
(13). In the United States Oregon is the only state where euthanasia has been.
legalized. Those who have been told that euthanasia means dying peacefully.
have actually been fed a lie. .
"For example, immediately following the passage of Oregon's Measure 16,.
those who had said that it would enable people to die peacefully with.
pills, did an immediate about face and admitted that it would permit the.
types of activities carried out by Jack Kevorkian. They also said that,.
if pills were used, a plastic bag should also be used to ensure death".
(Torr 57). .
The fact of the matter is that a murder done out of compassion is still a.
murder. While the state of Oregon supports and has legalized euthanasia, it.
is absolutely appalling. .
Those who support euthanasia argue the fact that it is ethical. Those.
who find euthanasia to be ethical claim that it is justified when a rationally.
planned self-deliverance has been formed to end the suffering from injury or.
