... stand in respect to this most delicate of issues. In the hopes of clarification, we must first distinguish between active and passive euthanasia. Passive euthanasia involves the patient's refusal of medical assistance. It involves the right to die which is protected by the United States Constitution clauses ... of due process liberty and the right to privacy (Fourteenth Amendment). The right to doctor-assisted suicide, or active euthanasia, consists of, ...a patient's right to authorize a physician to perform an act that intentionally results in the patient's death, without the physician...

• Word Count: 1550
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Pain has always been the main reason that the terminally ill even contemplate an early death. With the elimination of virtually all pain and incredible strides in the art of pain management there is no need for legalized euthanasia or assisted suicide. Research shows that 99% of patient's pain can be effectively relieved with the help of medication. Most of this can be done by simple treatments, more than half of which do not include even moderate side effects. In the past, doctors were afraid to give certain types of medication, such as narcotics, to patients. They did not have a clear under...

• Word Count: 1103
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate