A Peaceful Parting: Active Euthanasia

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A Peaceful Parting: Active Euthanasia

Many of us have had family members that we have watched suffer during the end stages of their lives. Though it hurts us as a close relative to see someone we love suffer, the person suffering themselves probably feels much more sorrow than us. My grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer several years ago. We had home health come in to help care for him and my family was good to help as well. Though he was well cared for, I could not help but feel deep sorrow for him when I would look at him and see him suffering on the inside. I remember him falling out of bed in the middle of the nights and I would be called in the bedroom to help put him back in bed. I was happy to have my grandfather still there with us, but at the same time I wanted him to be happy and free from the pain and suffering, knowing that this would only result in his passing. Many people who are suffering from a terminal illness don’t want to leave their families behind, yet wish to pass on into the next life peacefully. Knowing that many people wish to go when they feel they are ready, is the thought of active euthanasia really as big of an issue as many people portray it to be?
Active euthanasia is where a person actively assists the death of another person. Most commonly a lethal injection is used to euthanize a person. We see this all the time with animals that are suffering from a terminal illness or no longer have a good quality of life. So why not allow humans to have the same opportunity? The questions of suicide and murder often arise when discussing euthanization. Suicide is often questioned because the person being euthanized has to consent to the lethal injection. Murder often is questioned simply because one pe...

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...be allowed to make the decision whether to continue on or not. Active euthanasia is the active acceleration of a "good" death by use of drugs etc, whether by oneself or with the aid of a doctor. Passive euthanasia is when a life is no longer prolonged with consent of the person. For example, there is no hope for someone recovering who is on life support, so the family or physician decides to take them off allowing for a “natural” death. In all honesty, how do passive and active really differ from each other? In my opinion, they don’t. Active euthanasia should be an option for those who have no hope.

Works Cited

"Active Euthanasia Definition - Medical Dictionary Definitions of Popular Medical Terms Easily Defined on MedTerms." MedicieNet.com. MedicineNet.com, 27 Apr. 2011. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. .

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