Legalizing Euthanasia in the U.S. This paper will argue in favor of legalizing

The American Medical Association takes the point of view that passive euthanasia is sometimes acceptable. Specifically, the AMA considers the practice ethical if: "(1) the life of the body is being preserved by extraordinary means, (2) there is irrefutable evidence that biological death is imminent, and (3) the patient and/or the family consents" (Beauchamp and Childress, 1989, p. 86). By contrast, the official position of the AMA is strictly opposed to the idea of active euthanasia. Although there are cases in which a doctor may agree to withhold treatment, it is felt that "it is never permissible to take direct action to kill the patient" (Rachels, 1989, p. 78).

The legal profession in the United States takes a similar view to that which is expressed by the AMA. Thus, the Su

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nimal. Young notes that there are various degrees to which a doctor can help a terminally ill patient to die. For example, the doctor can provide information regarding ways in which the patient can end his or her own life. Another way a doctor can assist in a patient's death is by providing lethal drugs which can be self-administered. The highest level of doctor involvement in active euthanasia takes place when the doctor actually helps the patient carry out the act. Young's view is "that encouragement or the provision of information ought not to be subject to legal penalties, that helping someone to accomplish his own death or actually to kill him (at his request) ought to be subject to legal penalties of a lesser kind" (Young, 1989, p. 121). Other experts in the field believe that there should be no penalties for doctors who perform active euthanasia in accordance with the patient's wishes. Although there are many advocates of legalized euthanasia, there are also many people who are opposed to the practice. In fact, some people are opposed to both the passive and active forms of euthanasia. These opponents point out that the Hippocratic Oath which all doctors take requires that they try to save patients' lives rather t
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Approximate Word count = 1732
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)