In today’s society, Euthanasia has been a never ending debate with public policy issues.
People who contest euthanasia believe that man does not have the right to end another
person’s life no matter how much pain and suffering is endured.
According to the dictionary “Euthanasia is the painless killing to relieve suffering: the act
or practice of killing somebody who has an incurable illness or injury, or of assisting that person
to die”(Bing Dictionary). The outcome of this debate usually affects all family relationships, and
concepts of basic morality. To avoid confusion, there are several types of euthanasia’s, among
them are: involuntary passive, voluntary passive, and voluntary active.
Involuntary Passive Euthanasia is when a person who has never wanted an easy death is
allowed to die without the use of artificial needs, including removing life-support equipment,
stopping medical procedures that could continue his or her life performed by a Dr. with consent
of a partner or family. In other words, letting nature take its course. Voluntary Passive
Euthanasia is when a person asks to be removed from life sustaining equipment including life-
support, stopping medical procedures and medications, food and water knowing he or she will
die as a result. Passive and active euthanasia is when a person intentionally takes his or her
own life rather than continue in the physical or mental anguish that will eventually kill him or
her. Also called mercy killing, a physician assists in the suicide process which can also include
supplying the patient a prescription for a lethal dose of sleeping pills or providing the patient
with carbon monoxide gas. According to BBC magazine, “Many states in the US. engage in
passive euthanasia to what is known as a health-care proxy or do not resuscitate order. These
procedures are usually performed on the terminally ill, suffering patients, so that natural death
will occur sooner. It is also opted...