Good Death?

1293 Words3 Pages

Good Death? “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (“Declaration of Independence (1776)” 1). The quote derived from the Declaration of Independence clearly states that it is no man’s power to deprive any human being of their life and pursuit of happiness. However, when a certain circumstance comes along, such as a request from another human being to have their lives taken away, which provides them with their utmost happiness, which is the choice to pick? By accepting their request, the deprivation of life is present, yet by declining their request, you are depriving them of their happiness. One of the major controversies of the world today is euthanasia: the origin, the process, and the morality of it. Euthanasia originated many years ago. During the 1600s, the word euthanasia was introduced to the world by a man that goes by the name of Francis Bacon. During those times, euthanasia was a term defined as natural death. It was not until the twentieth century that the word came to be known as death caused by the help of another person to stop the agony (Medina 206). The very first approaches in legalizing euthanasia took place during the twentieth century as well. A group known as the Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation Society appeared on the year 1935 in England. The group was founded by C. Killick Millard. Shortly after their formation, the Euthanasia Society of America emerged in the United States (“Euthanasia.” Encyclopedia Britannica 1). Euthanasia is defined in many terms and a choice that affects numerous member of society. It can be referred to as “easy... ... middle of paper ... ...b.com>. “Euthanasia.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online School Edition. 24 Jan. 2008 . Ferguson, John E. The Right to Die. New York: Chelsea House Publisher, 2007. Landau, Elaine. The Right To Die. New York: Franklin Watts, 1993. Medina, Loreta M., ed. Euthanasia. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2005. “Physician.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online School Edition. 3 Feb. 2008 . “Right to Die.” American History. 2008. ABC-CLIO. 9 Feb. 2008 . Somerville, Margaret. “Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide Should Not Be Legal.” At Issue: The Right to Die. ED. John Woodward. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Klein Collins High School. 27 Jan. 2008 .

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