Euthanasia: a Moral Dilemma
Euthanasia: A Moral Dilemma
The word euthanasia is derived from two Greek words, “eu” which means “good” and “thanatos” which means “death,” thus, you have the translation “good death.” For many, when faced with a terminal disease or injury, it is all they truly want. That is, the ability to choose the right to die, in lieu of, a slow and painful death. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Euthanasia as, “The act or practice of killing hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy,” and also, “The act of or practice of allowing a hopelessly sick or injured patient to die by taking less than complete medical measures to prolong life – mercy killing.” In those two separate definitions, you have the words that define the difference between active and passive euthanasia. “The act or practice of killing…” is what is termed as active euthanasia, in that it involves a person physically “doing” something to bring about the death of an individual. Whereas, “the act or practice of allowing…” is considered passive euthanasia, in that it allows a person to die. Normally, this entails the withholding or withdrawal of necessary medical equipment or medicine. Historically, both methods have evoked great emotional turmoil throughout society. Why? Because, it puts into dispute moral, cultural, social, and religious values that individual’s hold regarding their right to live, aswell as their right to die. Furthermore, individuals want to be able to control, should the need arise, their right to how they die, when they die, and where they die. The fear of lacking this control comes from the thought of dying a slow and painful death from the likes of ALS, Huntingdon’s, or terminal cancer. Likewise, the fear of being trapped in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) from injuries sustained from some form of brain trauma or infection. In brief, no-one wants nor should have to go through a death like the one experienced at the hands of
The word euthanasia is derived from two Greek words, “eu” which means “good” and “thanatos” which means “death,” thus, you have the translation “good death.” For many, when faced with a terminal disease or injury, it is all they truly want. That is, the ability to choose the right to die, in lieu of, a slow and painful death. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Euthanasia as, “The act or practice of killing hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy,” and also, “The act of or practice of allowing a hopelessly sick or injured patient to die by taking less than complete medical measures to prolong life – mercy killing.” In those two separate definitions, you have the words that define the difference between active and passive euthanasia. “The act or practice of killing…” is what is termed as active euthanasia, in that it involves a person physically “doing” something to bring about the death of an individual. Whereas, “the act or practice of allowing…” is considered passive euthanasia, in that it allows a person to die. Normally, this entails the withholding or withdrawal of necessary medical equipment or medicine. Historically, both methods have evoked great emotional turmoil throughout society. Why? Because, it puts into dispute moral, cultural, social, and religious values that individual’s hold regarding their right to live, aswell as their right to die. Furthermore, individuals want to be able to control, should the need arise, their right to how they die, when they die, and where they die. The fear of lacking this control comes from the thought of dying a slow and painful death from the likes of ALS, Huntingdon’s, or terminal cancer. Likewise, the fear of being trapped in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) from injuries sustained from some form of brain trauma or infection. In brief, no-one wants nor should have to go through a death like the one experienced at the hands of
Cited: “Euthanasia.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Online edi. 2011. Web. 10 Apr 2011. Boston. Wadsworth. 2009. Print. and the Dead: Dr. Jack Kevorkian 's Life and the Battle to Legalize Euthanasia." American Journal of Bioethics 7.11 (2007) “Euthanasia.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 2011. Web. 10 Apr 2011. "Euthanasia, passive." West 's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2nd Edi. 2008. The Gale Group 12 Apr "Euthanasia, active." West 's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2nd Edi. 2008. The Gale Group 12 Apr Bantam Books. 1977. Print. “Terri Schiavo 's Final Hours: An Eyewitness Account.” www.priestsforlife.org. 2011