Euthanasia is a controversial topic that features regularly in the news, but what is it? It is "mercy killing," the process of allowing an individual to die with dignity. Much of the arguments over this topic stem from whether we should give Doctors the right to assist their patients to death, or in fact to commit the deed themselves. This is the distinction between "euthanasia" - the active process of "authorised murder," and "assisted suicide" - where an individual will provide to the patient the means of commiting suicide, e.g. lethal drugs. Its use is mainly confined to people with terminal diseases, such a motor-neurone disease, AIDS or various cancers.
Euthanasia is such a debated topic because it is not only about the patients right to die but also the doctors right to kill. The issue controversial because it deals intimately with death. Motor-neurone disease is just one of many examples of conditions that could be a justification for euthanasia, but is perhaps the most publicly raised as one of the greatest minds of this century, Stephen Hawking, has the disease. It is a horrific illness as it leaves the sufferers mind fully intact yet lets their bodies waste away, this must be unbelievably frustrating. There are several other recent cases such as Diane Pretty, who has the disease and also Phillip Such who went on a hunger strike, who are trying to attract the attention of the British government with the aim of changing the current laws prohibiting assisted suicide and euthanasia. However, the current laws are somewhat hazy. It is illegal, but at least 50 patients were allowed to die and not be resuscitated last year alone as a result of "Do Not Resuscitate" orders. Medical personnel are calling for clearer guidelines. Despite this many people believe that terminally ill people should be given the right to end their own lives, with assistance. In fact over 80% of the public are willing the government to change the law.
