A Definitive Argument On Euthanasia

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the life of one human being by another—mercy killing—is contrary to that which the medical professions stands…” (Rachel, 473) and to commit such an act would be sacrilegious. However, as Rachel points out, a strong case can be made against this philosophy. In an example given by Rachel, he shows that in a case where a patient had an incurable, painful disease, passive euthanasia would be wrong. By withholding treatment, the doctor might be prolonging the patient’s death, thereby making him suffer in terrible agony, longer than necessary. This pain is needless. Had the doctor used active euthanasia, the patient could have died a relatively quick and painless death. To say otherwise is to endorse the option that leads to more suffering rather than less, and is contrary to the humanitarian impulse that prompted the decision not to prolong his life in the first place. (Rachel, 473) Rachel indicates other incidences where active euthanasia would have been the preferable decision, ...

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