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Euthanasia

For centuries it has been debated on whether or not euthanasia is ethical. The question still remains- what is the proper way for a person to die? In this research paper we will explore the different aspects of euthanasia, and shed some light on why euthanasia remains an ethical issue today.

Euthanasia is the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing death, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition. The term "euthanasia" comes from the Greek words “eu” and “thanatos,” which combined means “good death.” (1)

Types of Euthanasia

Voluntary euthanasia- is conducted with the consent of the patient is termed voluntary euthanasia. Active voluntary euthanasia is legal in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Non-voluntary euthanasia- is conducted where the consent of the patient is unavailable is termed non-voluntary euthanasia. Examples include child euthanasia, which is illegal worldwide but decriminalized under certain specific circumstances in the Netherlands under the Groningen Protocol.

Involuntary euthanasia- is euthanasia conducted against the will of the patient.

State by State Laws for Euthanasia

Currently, 34 STATES have statutes explicitly criminalizing assisted suicide : Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin.

NINE states criminalize assisted suicide through common law: Alabama, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, South Carolina, Vermont, and West Virginia.

THREE states have abolished the common law of crimes and do not have statutes criminalizing assisted suicide: North Carolina, Utah, and Wyoming.

In Ohio,...