Euthanasia: Do We Have a Right to Choose Life or Death?

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With the growing media attention, Euthanasia has become a huge controversy that is split down the middle. The subject of euthanasia goes back several hundred years but has received much attention in the past century and is still a huge issue. Let’s take a look at what exactly euthanasia is, the history, my views on the subject, and society’s arguments for and against it. According to euthanasia.com, euthanasia is “the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit”. There are four different types of euthanasia and two different ways in which it can be carried out. The different types are: voluntary euthanasia (request to be killed), non-voluntary euthanasia (no request or consent), involuntary euthanasia (expressed wish), and assisted suicide (someone helps carry out the suicide). If it is the doctor who helps, then it is known as physician assisted suicide. The two different ways to perform euthanasia are: euthanasia by action (“performing an action” i.e. lethal injection) and euthanasia by omission (withholding care or food) (Euthanasia). In 1920, Alfred Hoche, M.D., a professor of psychiatry at the University of Freiburg, and Karl Binding, a professor of law at the University of Leipzig, wrote a book called Permitting the Destruction of Life not Worthy of Life. This book said that “under certain circumstances” if a patient requested, a doctor could help them in carrying out their wishes (Euthanasia). Euthanasia had been an issue in many countries, even becoming legal in the Netherlands in 2000 and in Belgium in 2002, but this has really become a topic of discussion in the United States back in the late 1990s, when Oregon legalized assisted suicides in 1998 and then ten years ... ... middle of paper ... ... offer. There are people who are sympathetic and understand that it is a difficult decision, as well as, an issue that should not be taken lightly or decided upon right there on the spot, if it was not discussed amongst everyone involved beforehand. Works Cited Euthanasia Suicide Mercy-killing Right-to-die Physician Assisted Suicide Living Wills Research. 2011. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. . Evans, Hilary. "Pitfalls of Physician-assisted Suicide." Physicians News. Sept. 1997. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. . MS, Afiff. Pro Euthanasia Arguments - 2010 Edition. 1st ed. Afiff MS, 2010. Kindle. "Top 10 Pros and Cons - Euthanasia - ProCon.org." Euthanasia ProCon.org -- Should Euthanasia Be Legal? 28 May 2010. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. .

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