Euthanasia - the right to take a life?
Euthanasia is complex issue within today's modern society. Active euthanasia is currently illegal in this country, but in many countries it is not. Is this a good idea or are we greatly exceeding our position as human beings? It is questionable whether we are in total control of our lives and have the final say in our own existence, or whether each individual life is important to the running of our society, tainting our free will to live or to die.
Euthanasia comes from the Greek for 'mercy killing'. It is 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. Euthanasia falls into three different classes, voluntary, involuntary and non-voluntary. Voluntary euthanasia, or active euthanasia as it is sometimes known, is the act of consenting your own death to end physical or mental suffering. In this country this is classed as suicide and can lead to a prison sentence if attempted, or even aided. Non-voluntary, or passive euthanasia, is to take the life of a person who cannot make the decision for themselves, usually due to a coma where the sufferer exists in a persistent vegetative state. For instance, if a person was being kept alive by a life support machine, to remove it would be to let them die as chances of a healthy revival are often low. This is an acceptable form of euthanasia in this country. Still many people believe this should not be the case, as a person should be kept alive at all costs. Involuntary euthanasia is to take another persons life against their wish. This is classed as murder and is illegal worldwide. It was used during world war 2 as an excuse to kill off Jews without necessarily breaking the law. I do not believe this type of euthanasia should be categorised as euthanasia, as it is clear to see it is no different from murder.
Euthanasia is complex issue within today's modern society. Active euthanasia is currently illegal in this country, but in many countries it is not. Is this a good idea or are we greatly exceeding our position as human beings? It is questionable whether we are in total control of our lives and have the final say in our own existence, or whether each individual life is important to the running of our society, tainting our free will to live or to die.
Euthanasia comes from the Greek for 'mercy killing'. It is 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. Euthanasia falls into three different classes, voluntary, involuntary and non-voluntary. Voluntary euthanasia, or active euthanasia as it is sometimes known, is the act of consenting your own death to end physical or mental suffering. In this country this is classed as suicide and can lead to a prison sentence if attempted, or even aided. Non-voluntary, or passive euthanasia, is to take the life of a person who cannot make the decision for themselves, usually due to a coma where the sufferer exists in a persistent vegetative state. For instance, if a person was being kept alive by a life support machine, to remove it would be to let them die as chances of a healthy revival are often low. This is an acceptable form of euthanasia in this country. Still many people believe this should not be the case, as a person should be kept alive at all costs. Involuntary euthanasia is to take another persons life against their wish. This is classed as murder and is illegal worldwide. It was used during world war 2 as an excuse to kill off Jews without necessarily breaking the law. I do not believe this type of euthanasia should be categorised as euthanasia, as it is clear to see it is no different from murder.
