Euthanasia Should Be Legal

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Recommended: ethics surrounding euthanasia

“Dogs do not have many advantages over people, but one of them is extremely important: euthanasia is not forbidden by law in their case; animals have the right to a merciful death.” ― Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being Euthanasia is a controversial issue. Many people believe that doctors should not prescribe any medication that ends a person’s life since it is considered to be against the Hippocratic Oath. The Hippocratic Oath states that doctors are professionally obliged to save lives. Some consider euthanasia to be immoral and others say that it is murder. Euthanasia should be legalized because it provides a way to relieve pain, brings relief to a person when their quality of life is low, relieves economic burden, and is simply a personal choice. Euthanasia is referred to as a method of anticipating death with less pain and suffering. There are two main types of euthanasia, active euthanasia and passive euthanasia, which can be either voluntarily or involuntarily. Voluntary active euthanasia is when a doctor agrees to a “rational request of an adequately informed, competent patient to be killed” (Gert). In this case, a doctor injects the patient with a lethal dosage of medication, most commonly being sodium pentobarbital, to end the patient’s life. In contrast, involuntary active euthanasia is the killing of the patient with the same means of voluntary euthanasia, but without the patient’s request. In contrast, voluntary passive euthanasia is when a patient requests not to receive the medicine or treatment they need to stay alive. For example, a physician agrees ... ... middle of paper ... ...t. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. Geiger, Alois. “Assisted Suicide Is A Valid Medical Decision.” The Right to Die. Ed. John Woodward. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2010. At Issue. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. Gert, Bernard. "Euthanasia." Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Ed. Donald M. Borchert. 2nd ed. Vol. 3. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2006. 455-459. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Mar. 2015. “Kevorkian, Jack.” Encyclopedia. Issues & Controversies. Facts on File News Services, n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. Myerscough, Ted. "How Good Is Your Life for You?" Quality of Life. Quality of Life Research Unit. Web. 24 Mar. 2015. "What is palliative care?" Euthanasia.ProCon.org. ProCon.org, 9 June 2008. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. "What is the Oregon Death with Dignity Act?" Euthanasia.ProCon.org. ProCon.org, 31 Oct. 2008. Web. 3 Mar. 2015.

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