Euthanasia: the Final Analysis In America today many arguments are centered around the right to choose: the right for women to have an abortion, the right for gays to be allowed to raise children or be legally married, and the right to physician-assisted suicide. These arguments all have something to do with the individual having the right to make this choice or if society should be able to decide for them, thus removing this choice. Euthanasia is a choice everyone should have, but like all rights, it should not be taken advantage. By legalizing euthanasia the practice of assisted suicide would be an available choice as well as regulated to see that it does not get abused and used for the wrong reasons. The word 'euthanasia' is derived from the Greek - eu, "good", and thanatos, meaning "death" [Marker, Special to Insight]. Some think of euthanasia as mercy killing, while others see it as murder. There are two ways to induce euthanasia, actively or passively. Passive euthanasia is defined as the bringing about of someone's death by withdrawing all forms of support and letting nature run its course. Active euthanasia involves causing death to someone through a direct action, like giving someone a lethal injection of controlled substances, or a high dose of carbon monoxide. There are many cases where euthanasia has come under close scrutiny. Most memorable are those involving Dr. Kavorkian. Known as "Dr. Death", as some headlines read, Dr. Kavorkian has become famous for his many assisted suicides with his suicide machine. In most cases the people involved in these high profile cases are battling a terminal illness, are in great pain, and have a quality of life so low they do not have the will to go on living. It is obvious that all medical treatment has been exhausted and that there has been a great deal of time and thought put into this decision. Why then are these people not allowed to seek out a painless alternative in their...
