Is Euthanasia A Mercy Killing Or Assisted Suicide

There are many controversial ethic topics when it comes to medical care. One of which that is most commonly discussed and debated is euthanasia. Also referred to as mercy killing or assisted suicide, euthanasia is defined as the â€Å"act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy†. (Euthanasia) Though such a basic definition is provided, mercy killing can be classified into several different categories. Voluntary euthanasia is performed with the permission and consent of the person whose life is being taken. Involuntary euthanasia is performed without permission and is most often seen in the cases of criminal execution. Topics most often deliberated pertaining euthanasia include the right to die, patient suffering at end of life, legalized murder, the Hippocratic Oath (do no harm oath), palliative (end of life) care, living wills and so on. There is plenty of controversy concerning social and moral practices in reference to this medical practice. Many argue that the right to die is of their own volition and should be free to make their own decision. Others believe it is a cry for help and people who consider euthanasia can be helped with counseling. Those who are terminally ill desire death because they are depressed and can be treated. One study had shown that 24 percent of patients who considered a mercy death was depressed. People also state that those with persistent pain canShow MoreRelatedEuthanasia: Not Morally Acceptable Essay1646 Words   |  7 Pagesfollowing essay, I argue that euthanasia is not morally acceptable because it always involves killing, and undermines intrinsic value of human being. The moral basis on which euthanasia defends its position is contradictory and arbitrary in that its moral values represented in such terms as ‘mercy killing’, ‘dying with dignity’, ‘good death’ and ‘right for self-determination’ fail to justify taking one’s life. Introduction Among other moral issues, euthanasia emerged with modern medical advancementRead MoreFree Euthanasia Essay580 Words   |  3 Pages The word quot;euthanasiaquot; is Greek, which means quot;a good death.quot; The issue is far more complex than what a dictionarys explanation is. The issue of euthanasia is one of the most discussed topics in all of the United States Congress. US government agencies, legislators and leaders have attempted unsuccessfully to stop assisted suicide nationwide by barring the use of federally controlled substances at lethal levels intended for mercy killing. 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