Morality and Practicality of Euthanasia Euthanasia is defined by The American Heritage Dictionary as "the action of killing an individual for reasons considered to be merciful" (Leonesio 292). ... Euthanasia is tolerated in the medical field under certain circumstances when a patient is suffering profoundly and death is inevitable. The word "euthanasia" comes from the Greek eu, "good", and thanatos, "death," literally, "good death"; however, the word "euthanasia" is much more difficult to define. Each person may define euthanasia differently. ... Firstly, there are ethical guidelines for euthanasia. If the following guidelines are met, then euthanasia is considered acceptable. ... An individual has the ability now to indicate this with a living will (which applies only to disconnection of life supports) and can also, in todays more open and tolerant society, freely discuss the option of euthanasia with health-care professionals, family, lawyers, etc. The euthanasia must not be carried out at the first knowledge of a life-threatening illness, and reasonable medical help must have been sought to cure or at least slow down the terminal disease. ... These are all guidelines for allowing a euthanasia to take place. By this, I mean the doctor is involved in the patients decision and actively performs the euthanasia. The common argument in support of euthanasia is one that is called "The argument of mercy. ... The argument for mercy simply states: Euthanasia is morally justified because it ends suffering. ... The moral issue regarding euthanasia is not affected by whether more could have been done for a patient; but whether euthanasia is allowable if it is the only alternative to torment. ... (Docker) People who oppose euthanasia have argued constantly doctors have often been known to miscalculate or to make mistakes. ... Those opposing euthanasia have also argued that practicing euthanasia prevents the development of new cures and rules out unpracticed methods in saving a life. ... We should at least keep this option open, but euthanasia closes it off. ... " (EUTHANASIA) If euthanasia had been legal 40 years ago, it is quite possible that there would be no hospice movement today. ... Earlier acceptance of euthanasia might well have undercut the urgency of the research efforts which led to the discovery of those treatments. If we accept euthanasia now, we may well delay by decades the discovery of effective treatments for those diseases that are now terminal. ... How long after acceptance of voluntary euthanasia will we hear the calls for non-voluntary euthanasia? ... How long will the advocates of euthanasia be arguing that we should "assist them in dying". ... Euthanasia is, after all, a very cheap service. ... Legalizing euthanasia would save substantial financial resources which could be diverted to more "useful" treatments. These economic concerns already exert pressure to accept euthanasia, and, if accepted, they will inevitability tend to enlarge the category of patients for whom euthanasia is permitted. ... (EUTHANASIA) It must never be forgotten that doctors, nurses, and hospital administrators have personal lives, homes and families, or that they are something more than just doctors, nurses, or hospital administrators. ... We should be very worried about what the institutionalization of euthanasia will do to society, in general , how will we regard murderers?
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