Euthanasia, or assisted suicide, is illegal in most parts of the world, but legal under certain conditions in some countries. The debate is heated, with arguments about quality of life and the preservation of life. Euthanasia was brought to the fore in the US during the trial of Jack Kevorkian in the late 1990s. Animals are also routinely euthanized when homes cannot be found for them or when their pain makes life unbearable.
Euthanasia is the process of helping a terminally ill or constantly suffering person die. Sometimes referred to as assisted suicide or mercy killing, euthanasia is illegal in most parts of the world, but there are some places where it is legal under certain conditions. Generally, euthanasia is performed by lethal injection. In some cases a distinction is made between euthanasia, which is administered to someone else, and assisted suicide, which the person does to himself with the help of someone else.
Hippocratic oath
Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician considered by many to be the father of modern medicine, is said to have said in 400 BC: “I will not give deadly medicines to anyone when asked, nor will I suggest any such advice.” Many doctors still follow this philosophy, which is part of the Hippocratic oath. There are, however, other doctors who believe that their duty is to help people who are suffering, even if this means putting an end to the life of those who have no hope of recovery and want to die in peace.
Opinions
Like the abortion debate, the assisted suicide debate is heated. Many people argue that quality of life is an issue, while those on the other side believe life must be preserved at all costs. Both sides’ arguments have moral and legal ramifications. Proponents of assisted suicide, such as a group called the Hemlock Society, believe that the state shouldn’t interfere with a person’s right to die. Some opponents argue that no one but God or nature should determine when a person should die.
Legality
As of 2012, euthanasia was legal in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. In some other countries, such as Switzerland and Colombia, helping someone die was legal under certain circumstances. In the United States assisted suicide was only legal in the states of Washington, Oregon and Montana. While euthanasia is illegal in many places, it is often legal to discontinue a terminally ill patient’s treatment at the direction of the patient or, in some cases, their family.
Dr. Kevorkian
The topic of euthanasia was brought to the fore in the United States during the trial of Jack Kevorkian in the late 1990s. The Michigan doctor said he helped at least 130 people die from 1990 to 1998. In 1999, Kevorkian was sentenced to 10-25 years in prison for second-degree murder after he administered a 52-year-old patient named Thomas Youk to a lethal injection in 1998.
Animals
Animals, especially dogs and cats, are routinely and humanely put to death in many animal shelters when homes cannot be found for them. It is also a common practice for elderly pet owners to have their pets euthanized when the animals pain makes the animals life unbearable. Farmers have also practiced putting animals out of their misery when they know animals cannot be healed.
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