Moral Issue about Euthanasia

Reflection
Euthanasia is defined as the practice of ending a life prematurely in order to end pain and
suffering. The process is also sometimes called Mercy Killing. Euthanasia can fall into several
categories. Voluntary Euthanasia is carried out with the permission of the person whose life is
taken. Involuntary euthanasia is carried out without permission, such as in the case of a criminal
execution. The moral and social questions surrounding these practices are the most active fields
of research in Bioethics today. Many Supreme Court cases, such as Gonzales v. Oregon and
Baxter vs. Montana, also surround this issue.
Voluntary euthanasia is typically performed when a person is suffering from a terminal
illness and is in great pain. When the patient performs this procedure with the help of a doctor,
the term assisted suicide is often used. It is also legal in the state of Oregon, Washington and
Montana. Passive euthanasia is carried out by terminating a medication that is keeping a patient
alive or not performing a life-saving procedure. Active euthanasia involves the administration of
a lethal drug or otherwise actively ending the life. These two types of procedures carry different
moral and social issues.
Euthanasia Controversy
My opinion or point of view about euthanasia,There is a lot of controversy surrounding
the issue and whether or not it should be legal. From a legal standpoint, the Encyclopedia of
American Law categorizes mercy killing as a class of criminal homicide. Judicially, not all
homicide is illegal. Killing is seen as excusable when used as a criminal punishment, but
inexcusable when carried out for any other reason. In most nations, euthanasia is considered
criminal homicide: however, in the jurisdictions mentioned above, it is placed on the other side
of the table with criminal punishment.
Arguments regarding the euthanasia debate often depend on the method used to take the
life of the patient. The Oregon Death with Dignity Act made it legal for residents to request a
lethal injection from a doctor. This is seen in other jurisdictions as being a criminal form of
homicide. However, passive euthanasia through denial of drugs or procedures is considered to be
legal in almost all jurisdictions. Those who argue for euthanasia feel that there is no difference.
Those who are against it disagree.
Euthanasia and Religion
Many arguments also hinge on religious beliefs. Many Christians believe that taking a
life, for any reason, is interfering with God's plan and is comparable to murder. The most
conservative of Christians are against even passive euthanasia. Some religious people do take the

other side of the argument and believe that the drugs to end suffering early are God-given and
should be used.
One of the main groups of people who are involved with the euthanasia debate is
physicians. One survey in the United States recorded the opinions of over 10,000 medical
doctors and found that sixteen percent would consider stopping a life-maintaining therapy at the
recommendation of family or the patient. Fifty five percent would never do such. The study also
found that 46 percent of doctors believe that physician assisted suicide should be allowed in
some cases.
The controversy surrounding euthanasia involves many aspects of religion, medical and
social sciences. As this is one of the most studied fields of bioethics, one can rest assured that
more studies will be performed to learn more about this issue and how to best address it.