According to the World Book Encyclopedia, euthanasia is the practice of painlessly putting to death people who have incurable, painful, or distressing diseases. It is also commonly called “mercy killing.” Usually the incurably ill people ask their physician or relative to put them to death. Unfortunately, euthanasia is illegal in the United States with the exception of Oregon, which allows people who are terminally ill and in pain to get a lethal prescription from their physician.

Ultimately, euthanasia is a question of choice: empowering people to have control over their own bodies. Therefore, euthanasia should be made legal in the United States.

Although, euthanasia sounds like a wonderful thing, many people are opposed to the idea of taking another persons life. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “the main opposition comes from some religious groups, medical associations, and groups concerned with disabilities.” But most of their oppositions can easily be argued away.

First, many religious groups are opposed to the idea of euth

The third reason people disagree with euthanasia is they fear that it is the first step towards a society that will kill disabled people against their will. First, that is murder and euthanasia is by far not murder, it is strictly voluntary or self-motivated. Once again if the disability is not fatal or painful and the patient does not wish to be put to rest, euthanasia is not performed.

The second reason many people oppose euthanasia is because they are afraid patients will be coerced into the procedure or it will just simply be taken for granted. But the fact is Oregon’s assisted suicide law does not allow anyone to “coerce” or use influence to obtain a request for assisted suicide. Also doctors are only allowed to get permission from a patient who is of sound mind and not suffering from depression. If the person is living on machines in a coma, their relatives can also make the decision for them.

Euthanasia is not as unethical as most may think. It can help many patients and one day you might even wish is was legal. For now all we can do is hope that society sees the issue through the eyes of the ones who need it most! Then and only then will they realize the need for euthanasia to be legaliz

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