Euthanasia

The word Euthanasia is derived from the Greek "Thanatos," meaning ЃgdeathЃh and the prefix "eu," meaning ЃgeasyЃh or ЃggoodЃh (Russell 94). Thus, "eu-Thanatos" means an easy or good death. In today's society there are many disagreements about the rights and wrongs of euthanasia. Although death is unavoidable for human beings, the suffering of terminal patients and family members and friends, can be avoided. Euthanasia is a better choice for terminal patients than suicide.

In our society, suicide is always traumatic for families and friends. If there is no alternative to relieve the suffering of terminal patients, then the more humane option to suicide is euthanasia. An option for people that are unsure of euthanasia is called DNR or do not resuscitate (McCuen 2). This means that if the patient has a heart attack or another potentially fatal problem in the hospital, the doctors are told to perform a " No Code," which means they should let the patient die peacefully with only the amount of painkillers or medication requested by that patient (McCuen 3). Many terminal patients decide to sign DNR forms or request euthanasia so that they will not be a burden on their families, who could rest easier knowing that their relative is receiving the necessary attention and not suffering.

Euthanasia is the justified killing or assisted killing of a disabled or terminally ill person at their will or if the patient is incapable of making the decision, at the family's will (Satris 260). The doctor or sometimes even a family member, uses injections, weapons, or other means of killing to act out euthanasia, but euthanasia is usually quiet and gentle. In most of the cases of euthanasia, the patient dies by lethal injection or certain life support systems are withheld.

There are many types of euthanasia. The most common type is voluntary euthanasia (Russell 32). Voluntary euthanasia is euthanasia that is preformed at the will of the patient. Involuntary euthanasia is the other type of euthanasia (Russell 32). That* is when the patient does not want euthanasia, but is administered because it is necessary. There are also different ways to administer euthanasia. One is direct euthanasia, which is deliberately inducing death in order to cease hopeless suffering (Russell 31). Then there is indirect euthanasia, which is indirectly causing death with the use of drugs to relieve pain, but also to hasten death (Russell 31).

Mr. Lewis, my junior high teacher, shared his experience at the death of his beloved wife after her prolonged battle with breast cancer. She had deteriorated physically and mentally practically beyond recognition. "I prayed for death," he had said, "because I loved her so much and could not bear to see her suffer so. And when death finally came, I thanked God for his good gift." She'd had enough, made her choice, and her choice was honored. But suppose that Mrs. Lewis had asked her husband to help her die? He felt already that death was imminent and desirable. As a Christian, he felt that death would be a merciful relief of pain and suffering. He was morally justified in acting out his love for his wife by ending her suffering in a painless manner.

Some people think that euthanasia is not acceptable in our society because of a variety of reasons. Many who oppose the use of euthanasia fear that if it were to be legalized then many people would die needlessly and murders in so- called "mercy killings" would run rampant (Satris 262). Others believe that since we are the property of God then we should wait until He is ready to receive us (Russell 93). Many churches and religious groups oppose euthanasia stating that the sixth commandment "Thou Shalt Not Kill" also extends to euthanasia. But this also raises many questions. Why do these churches and religious groups specifically target euthanasia as horrific killing when there is war in this world? Every day countries send troops to kill and to be killed, but these religious groups seem to ignore these problems (Russell 93). Many medical doctors also oppose euthanasia. They say that assisted suicide "violates one's will to survive" and that it violates our dignity. They believe that one of our natural human goals is to survive and if we practice euthanasia, then that goal is destroyed (Satris 258).

When doctors receive their license to practice medicine they have to take the Hippocratic Oath. This oath says that "I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody when asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to that effect."(Levine 104). However, many pro-euthanasians say that the oath means that they should not give anybody a deadly drug to kill an enemy with, nor should they tell the person what to use to kill. A quote from Carol Levine says, "On the other hand, if the goal of medicine is not simply to prolong life but to reduce pain, then questions arise about the oath"(105). Another problem with euthanasia is that if an elderly patient is entered into a hospital, they are immediately deemed to be frail and are treated like terminal patients. The thought of euthanasia as a choice instead of a cure may prompt doctors to prematurely induce death (McCuen 2).

The recovery from an illness requires that we fight it. If we know that there is an easy way out, such as euthanasia, then the human consciousness instinctively tries to take that way out (Satris 262). Other issues with euthanasia are that a person with a non-terminal disease may blindly choose euthanasia without a settled desire to die (Heifetz 21). It is also likely that