The Right to Die

The Right to Die

Research topic: The Right to Die
The Forgotten Right

A controversial topic in the world today is having the right to take ones own life in certain conditions of pain an suffering of unbearable pain or an untreatable illness. The proper term for this act is called Euthanasia, which translates from Greek roots as “good death” (Kastenbaum 267). Having the right to die is a powerful right that if were made legal could create many dark roads, which there would be no turning back on once entered. On the other hand having the right to die when diagnosed with an untreatable illness and given the option to an ideal death as some might put it by passing away under euthanasia. I believe that living in a free society that allows citizens the right to their own death under the right circumstances decided by that one person and their condition that is either physically or mentally daunting. Having other people dictate when this time in life occurs or not occurs to me just does not make sense. Giving the power to someone to decide what is best for them is in all that one persons decision and should not be dictated by anyone else.
The right to die first entered America in 1976 in a New Jersey courtroom. Before this the act of taking one’s life by euthanasia was thought only for animals or that of a sinner. During this time in the 1970’s religion had much more of an impact with more followers and believers in the everyday lives of the American people than compared todays society (Gallup). In 1975 Karen Ann Quinlan, 21 collapsed and stopped breathing then shortly slipped in to a coma. She had arrived home from a party where her friends had reported that she took prescription drugs and drank alcohol after not eating for several days. Although doctors were able to save her life she remained in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). She was kept alive through a feeding tube and a medical breathing device. With months of no progress Karen Ann’s family saw no hope and decided...

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