Life Or Death Essay -- essays research papers fc

Life or Death There have been many issues through time that were loved by some, and hated by others. For example, people often debate the controversial issue of abortion. This issue is so involved, that it effects people morally, socially, and politically. At local clinics, some people will go as far as to hold protests. These are just some issues that effected people in the past and present ethically. Yet despite these issues, society has continued on. Euthanasia is an issue that concerns people of all ages in society today. Imagine, if you would, that you had a relative on his death bed with cancer. Their was no possible surgery that could remove the tumor. The doctors say that he could be suffering for days, weeks, or even months before he would pass away. Say that you had a daughter that was in a coma and would not get any better. Just ask yourself, what would you do? Now, imagine the same relative with the same disease again; only this time the medical industry has suddenly discovered a cure for cancer. Then, the day he was going to be put to death they found a cure for him and he was saved. If you went through with the mercy killing it would have been like murder. Also, how do you think you could handle yourself after knowing that you ended your daughters life? These are some of decisions we are faced with during situations of this nature. Euthanasia, also mercy killing, is the practice of ending a life so as to release an individual from an incurable disease or intolerable suffering. The term is sometimes used generally to refer to an easy or painless death. Voluntary euthanasia involves a request by the dying patient or that person's legal representative. Passive, or negative, euthanasia involves not doing something to prevent death–that is, allowing someone to die. Active or positive euthanasia involves taking deliberate action to cause a death (Microsoft Encarta 98). Euthanasia is a controversial issue that deals with religious, legal, and personal aspects. Most religious groups today look at euthanasia as immoral and sinful. For one example, the Christian Bible says, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and you are not your own? For you were bought at a... ...at the legal aspects, while most say they can do what ever they want with life. The bible says that people shouldn't commit mercy killings. Also, the medical industry is split down the middle about it There are legal and illegal aspects which make it an issue that is still being debated. Personally, I can see why this subject should be outlawed. This brief summary of the topic gives some examples why this is inhumane. People say that people have the right to do what they want with their own lives. The religious side of it says that we owe our lives to God. I do read the read the Bible and I do agree with the scriptures. No one can tell another how they should feel, yet I hope to have given you some useful information on this topic, so that you can make your own opinion. Works Cited Bergman, Brian. "The Crown Reconsiders." Maclean's 17 Nov. 1997 "Euthanasia." Microsoft Encarta 97 Encyclopedia: CD-ROM 1997 Kondro, Wayne. "Reduced Sentence for ‘Mercy Killing'." Lancet 13 Dec. 1997 Tivnan, Edward. The Moral Imagination: Confronting the Ethical Issues of Our Day. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc. 1995