Regulate And Reform Euthanasia

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The Quinlan case brought to the forefront patients' desire to die a
proud, quiet death. It also brought to the forefront the complications
caused by the advancement of medical technology ("Euthanasia"27).
Euthanasia has been practiced in Eastern and Western culture since the
beginning of civilization. The capability of medical technology to extend
life (as demonstrated by the Quinlan case) has made the issue of euthanasia
more complicated. Individuals should be allowed to "die with dignity" in
the event of terminal illness if he or she wants it. Terminating a
patient's life is much more merciful than allowing him or her to die a slow
painful death from illness. Those who oppose legalizing euthanasia and
assisted suicide say that this could lead to involuntary killing of the
aged and infirm. I agree that there may be danger of abuse and that the
vulnerable need to be protected; therefore, I support passing legislation
that monitors and regulates physician assisted suicide. The ...

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sterilization of those with "hereditary" illnesses. They also
used the "euthanasia programme" to kill mentally and physically handicapped
children and adults. Eventually they used this policy as justification for
killing Jews, homosexuals, and others (Burleigh 11). Many believe that this
kind of murder can happen again if euthanasia is legalized. However, the
senseless, atrocious killings in Germany cannot be compared to carefully
regulated policies that will allow euthanasia in selective cases. Such an
extreme comparison should not prevent a merciful euthanasia policy for the
terminally ill in unbearable pain who request it. As people began
forgetting World War II and the ...

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