killing or letting die?

Euthanasia is defined as: the act of painlessly ending the life of a person for reasons of mercy (Encarta '98.) Proponents of it believe that unnecessarily prolonging life in terminally ill patients causes immense suffering to the patient's friends and family members. Three reasons euthanasia should be supported are: euthanasia has been accepted in many other societies in the past, it helps alleviate the pain and suffering felt by people close to the patient, and …

…condoned because its practice has a long history, it relives some of the anguish felt by sufferers and their families, and it is used only after all other attempts to heal a person have been exhausted. Just think: if a person is in torment in front of your eyes, would you allow them to continue his or her suffering or would you do them a favor and end it in a merciful way. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**