preview

The Future of Euthanasia

Good Essays

Euthanasia The sanctity and holiness of life is a subject that cuts across all societies in the world, especially on the basis of law and religion. The developments in the society, however, have caused debate trying to explain and justify incidences of loss of life. Such methodology used by some people to terminate their lives is suicide. Suicide is deliberate committing of murder by oneself (Rachels& Stuart 21). There are various ways in which people can murder themselves. However, the most controversial process is referred to as Euthanasia, which is in the simplest terms, assisted suicide. Euthanasia is taking a premeditated action with the utter intentions of ending any person's life, for the purpose of relieving that individual from an intractable suffering. It is considered as ending life in a manner that is painless (Gorsuch 59). There are varying laws in the United States and also across all the countries of the world. Euthanasia is placed in two classifications, depending on the person whom the 'mercy killing' is being performed. These are the voluntary and the involuntary euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia is whereby the action is conducted with the approval of the patient. Unintentional euthanasia is performed without patient's consent. The decision in this case is arrived at by another person. Furthermore, the case of euthanasia is separated according to the procedures of performing the action. These classifications are the passive and active euthanasia.

Get Access