Every year two million people die in North America. Chronic illnesses, such as cancer or heart disease, account for two of every three deaths. Approximately seventy percent of those suffering from a chronic illness make a decision to forgo life-sustaining treatment (Choice in Dying). The ongoing debate concerning this issue remains whether patients should have the opportunity to implement euthanasia. Euthanasia originated from the Greek work meaning “good death.” It is the intentional termination of life by another at the explicit request of the person who dies (Religious Tolerance). Euthanasia became a world renowned movement launched by a celebrated 1973 case of a doctor who helped her mother die and then was acquitted of criminal charges (Branegan 31). Since then it has been praised and protested all around the world. When a person commits an act of euthanasia, they bring about the death of another person because they believe that their existence is so bad that they would be better off dead. However, euthanasia has many different meanings, which tends to create confusion. Passive euthanasia refers to removing some form of life support, which allows nature to take its course. Forms of life support include removing life support machines, stopping medical procedures and medications, stopping food and water, or not delivering cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Active euthanasia refers to causing the death of a person through a direct action, in response to a request from the person. Physician-assisted suicide refers to a request physician supplying information or the means of committing suicide to a person, so that they can end their own life. Involuntary euthanasia refers to the killing of a person in opposition of their wishes. This is basically a form of murder (Religious Tolerance 2-3). Ultimately, euthanasia is a question of choice, empowering people to have control over their own bodies. But the cho...
