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Euthanasia and Human Dignity

Euthanasia has become an important issue in the protection of human dignity. As medical science becomes more capable at prolonging life, but not necessarily at making that life valuable, euthanasia becomes an option to be considered by those who suffer, those who love them, and those who are charged with their care. Passive euthanasia refers to the withdrawal of "heroic" measures that keep a moribund person alive, and active euthanasia means taking a positive action that leads directly to the death of another person, and active euthanasia is considered murder in most legal and religious systems (Urofsky 15). However, active euthanasia should be legalized. It is first of all a humane way of ending life in the event of a terminal illness or debilitating and incurable injury. The legalization of active euthanasia would also end the physical and emotional suffering not only of the patient but also of the immediate family members. Furthermore, such a move would help cut the nation's soaring health costs by eliminating expensive extended--and ultimately fruitless--hospital care.

More and more Americans today are seeking the right to terminate life when it is no longer livable, as is seen in the success of books like Final Exit, which offers a rationale for active euthanasia and suicide:

It is against the law everywhere to assist a suicide--no matter what the reason. . . Yet hundreds of people in America still do help their loved ones to die every year (Humphry, Final Exit 30).

Yet, euthanasia remains a controversial subject, and the word itself can be considered controversial as some see it as a euphemism hiding the true nature of the action it describes. Several definitions of the word can be found, differentiated according to the approach being taken, whether it is etymological, legal, religious, or philosophical. According to the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, there are two definitions for the word "euthanasi...

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Euthanasia and Human Dignity. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 10:14, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1683963.html