Travis Kresse
College Writing 2 – Week 7
Final Project Draft
September 19, 2010

Euthanasia:

The United States, since its short, but impactful existence, has been a beacon of hope to so many. From our uplifting constitution, to our extension of peace and aid to the less fortunate, we are for the most part a nation of compassion and empathy. Of course there are those who disagree (be it right or wrong) with these statements, but would never live anywhere else. I suppose the greatest part of this democracy is having the right to exercise and express an opinion, no matter how hot button the topic is. Some would say that our rights are being taken away lately, some would say they are protecting ourselves from, ourselves. Regardless of what you may believe in, what side you stay on, or whose football team you support, people as a whole possess the same wants, needs, and desires. How we choose to get to that destination is what may make us different. Regardless of where we come from, we all like to help others be it selfless or selfish, and rarely do we desire people to suffer…..
Euthanasia is legal in many countries, but not in the land of the free. We will put animals to peace, not humans, yet there is a demand for equality. Euthanasia is defined as the act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment. Active Euthanasia, Passive Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide or Mercy Killing are the different kinds of euthanasia that most people consider to be immoral. There are five different classifications. . The different Types Euthanasia conducted with the consent of the patient is termed voluntary euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia is legal in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington. When the patient brings about his or her own death with the assistance of a physician, the term assisted suicide is often used instead.
Euthanasia conducted where the consent of the patient is unavailable is termed non-voluntary euthanasia. Examples include child euthanasia, which is illegal worldwide but decriminalized under certain specific circumstances in the Netherlands under the Groningen Protocol.
Euthanasia conducted against the will of the patient is termed involuntary euthanasia. The only form that should remained banned in the US and abroad.
Passive euthanasia entails the withholding of common treatments, such as antibiotics, necessary for the continuance of life. Whether the administration of increasingly necessary, albeit toxic doses of opioid analgesia is regarded as active or passive euthanasia is a matter of moral interpretation, but in order to pacify doctors' consciences, it is usually regarded as a passive measure
Active euthanasia entails the use of lethal substances or forces to kill and is the most controversial means. An individual may use a euthanasia device to perform active voluntary euthanasia on him / herself.
Some people have the misconception that euthanasia falls under the category of suicide that could have been prevented with proper love, psych treatment, medications, and possibly religion to name a few. Unlike a cry for attention or help, these people (primarily patients) have had all the possible help from a finical and medical standpoint. Friends and family of such unfortunate folks are in favor of euthanasia based primarily on the situation. From the inability to afford expensive medication, to the tears of families who could not bear the pain of seeing their loved ones suffer their reasoning are from the best of intention.