Euthansia paper
Euthanasia is an extremely controversial issue. The origin of the modern euthanasia movement began in 1935, by a group of intellectuals. Headed by George Bernard Shaw, Harold Laski, Bertrand Russell, and H.G. Wells. The organization was known as the British Euthanasia Society, though unsuccessful, yet it quickly spread half a century later in the United States and the Netherlands (Cox 59). A Unitarian Minister, Rev. Charles Potter, founded the Euthanasia Society in the United States in 1938. Euthanasia has held dividing opinion amongst Americans, like many debating issues as abortion or television violence. The issues widespread popularity has not only the health care systems involved, nonetheless, it has recently earned immense attention from the media, the states, and the federal government as well. Therefore, eminent emphasis has been applied in comprehending euthanasia from various opposing viewpoints. Furthermore, by examining euthanasia from its definition, voices of the terminally ill and the loved ones associated with, religious ground, legal status, and the public opinion, one, in respect with the diverse perspective can assimilate a better apprehension of this contested issue.
Government does not have the right to give one group or individual to kill another. Through the knowledge, one can conclude that religions, like Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, do not agree in taking a life, furthermore, these religions promote saving life of an individual as saving the society from wrongdoings and remind one that God is the creator and the destroyer. Moreover, advancement in medical technology has caused a decline in death rate to reach 268,266 in year 2000 as compared to 76,303 in 1900 (Logue 10,11). A "right to die", is a moral claim and one does not have a claim over death (Pavone 1). Furthermore, by conceiving the behaviors of an individual, which triggers his/her decision to end life, can also be beneficial in comprehending the controversy. These religions stress that an individual cannot decide on ending his or her life, similarly as not being able to decide when a life should begin. Another attempt was made by California, in initiative #161, which failed to pass by 54 percent to 46 percent margin in 1192 election (Cox 178). For example, in 1975, Karen Ann Quinlan suffered a respiratory arrest causing her to be in a vegetative state. The claim of killing for painful hopeless illness is also refuted, fore there is no human pain that cannot be largely conquered by medication or by suitable neurosurgery. Furthermore, various methods are utilized for administering death. Moreover, she was unable to breathe without a mechanical respirator, and was fed via a feeding tube. In the United States, only one state has permitted physician-assisted suicide through Oregon's Measure 16. The issue of euthanasia has gained mass attention from the government. Simultaneously, in Jewish tradition, life is a gift and a blessing from god and each human is created in God's image.
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