The Greek word "euthanasia" means "good death" and should be an option for patients who have no hope of recovering or leading healthy lives ("Euthanasia: Some General Information"). ... Supporters of the right to assisted suicide, most commonly people with terminal illnesses and their advocates, believe that the dying person should have the right to decide how and when to end his or her own life. They believe that terminally ill people have the right to "die with dignity"(Oregon's Death with dignity Act). ... Kevorkian maintains, "Passive Euthanasia is just natural death. ... Kevorkia...

• Word Count: 899
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

It is crucial that the issue of advance directives and the issue of euthanasia not be confused. ... Euthanasia is largely illegal. ... For example, the advance directive may suggest one course of care, while the physician and/or family believe the patient would in fact have wanted something else. ... Some believe that discussing advance directives upon admission to a health care facility is yet another factor. ...

• Word Count: 2107
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In contrast, there have been other physicians who believe strongly in "mercy killings," which is what is meant by the term physician assisted suicide, today. Although not all physicians agreed with the various constraints of the Hippocratic Oath, as time progressed, the followers of many religious sects, including Jewish, Catholics, Christians, and even Muslims believed the oath and supported it. ... He truly believed that ethics and death comes hand-in-hand in relieving the suffering of those who need compassion the most. ... Kevorkian has mentioned that, "My ultimate aim is to...

• Word Count: 5515
• Approx Pages: 22
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The libertarian theory believes that priorities should be self-determined because the patients are the best judge at their own health care needs. ... Passive euthanasia is acceptable in disasters but not at the expense of others due to age (Shear 761).Three healthcare workers, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, were charged with four counts of second degree murder for the deaths of the critical patients that were left behind at Memorial Hospital. ...

• Word Count: 1786
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate