Suppose I am terminally ill. I have no hope for the future, no hope for survival, no hope

for happiness. I wish to die and I am incapable due to my disability to end my own life. I am in

indescribable pain and torment all day long and my only wish is to end this misery. Should I have

the option of euthanasia existent to me?

Put under such broad and pitiful circumstances, most Americans would say yes to the

previous question. Indeed, statistics continually show, dating back to 1978, that 2/3 of Americans

support euthanasia when asked a question that has been phrased similarly to the one I have given

here. This misleading statistic shows only half the story. When the statistics are further scrutinized

we find that in fact America is split into thirds on the issue, as shown in an article that appeared in

Atlantic Monthly by Ezekiel Emanuel. This showed that when the statistics are further examined,

a third of America support euthanasia under numerous circumstances, a third oppose it under any

circumstance, and a third approve of it in few cases but oppose it in most. This can be further

explained by this quote, appearing in the same article:

expectations? How can we take away the potential for such miraculous recoveries? Indeed, they

compared to only 8.7% who showed no depressive symptoms; furthermore, in those feeling

As described in a book by James D. Torr entitled Euthanasia: Opposing Viewpoints, how

are by no means typical, however, they are by no means unheard of.

the patients. Many supporters of the euthanasia movement cry out “it’s already being committed

Some topics in this essay:
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