Euthanasia is Ethical

Let us begin Euthanasia is defined by Webster" Dictionary as the killing of a person with the intent to end suffering. It encompasses two categories, active euthanasia and passive euthanasia. Active euthanasia is when doctors and family members decide to actively kill to end suffering whereas Passive euthanasia allows the suffering person die by withholding extraordinary medical care allowing the disease kill instead of a person. The following article will primarily focus on the active euthanasia. Ethics or Ethicality is an elusive and broad term which, in general, involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right or wrong behavior. Although what constitutes right or wrong may subject to personal experiences, social cultures, and some other factors pertain to the developments of a particular individual, murder, however, is generally considered an immoral practice. Committing murder requires an action to end another human"s life, which subsequently renders a person or persons responsible for the death of others. Euthanasia is considered an immoral practice largely on the basis of that there is no clear distinction between murder and euthanasia. An intention to kill or maim can be easily disguised by an outward appearance of care. Even though people who are genuine in seeking to alleviate the pain suffered by whom they love, their judgements can be easily clouded by their emotional responses to the suffering thereby leading to some unwise conclusions. Philosopher Thomas Sullivan, who expressed his concern about the practice of euthanasia in his essay, stated that there are times when those who have the noble duty to tend the sick and the dying are deeply moved by the suffering of their patients, especially of the very young and the very old, and desperately wish they could do more than comfort and companion them. Then, perhaps, it seems that universal moral principles are merely abstractions having little to do with the agony of the dying. But of course we do not see best when our eyes are filled with tears. Religious people are, in general, against euthanasia. As an argument offered by Gerald D. Coleman stated: ". .. suffering is not an absolute human evil. Although suffering is truly an ontological evil to be alleviated whenever possible, it is not of itself a moral evil or without supernatural and human benefits. Some will certainly scoff at this view, but the Christian tradition holds that great good can come out of suffering when this is joined to the suffering of Jesus. " Regardless of the circumstances that any particular individual involves in, it is an irresponsible and therefore deeply troubled behavior that asks for someone to share the burden of death. In some cases, it is not implausible to assume that people whose behaviors lead to the eventual death of others would forever seek the redemptions from the dead. Families and/or physicians who are empathetic about the suffering patients have no moral rights nor moral responsibilities to terminate a person"s life with or without consent of that patients. It is deniable that a person should not be denied the right to die voluntarily, but dying at someone"s hand or with the assistance of others is completely different matter. Euthanasia is unethical owing to the fact that it not only constitutes murder, but also unduly asks someone else to share the burden of death. References . http://www.truthawakens.com... . http://atheism.about.com... . http://www.silk.net... Thank you