The subject of euthanasia has been brought into sharp political focus by the actions of Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a Michigan pathologist, who has assisted 50 or more persons to their deaths. (Manning 2000) The original definition of the word euthanasia originated from the Greek language: eu means "good" and thanatos means "death".(Robinson 1999) it was not until recently the definition came to mean a death free of any anxiety and pain, often brought to by the use of medication as many term Mercy Killing.
             Euthanasia can be dated back to the ancient Greek and Roman times. It was approved in those societies until time an religion reinforced the views of the hippocratic school. (Keuse 1997)
             The Stoic and Epicurean philosophers thought suicide and euthanasia an acceptable option whenever one no longer cared for life. The most famous statement of this attitude is by Epictetus: "If the room is smoky, if only moderately, I will stay; if there is too much smoke I will go. Remember this, keep a firm hold on it, the door is always open."(29) One of the earliest theoretical discussions of euthanasia in English literature was presented by Sir Thomas More in his Utopia 1st Published in 1516. In More's vision of the ideal society he states:
             "If a disease is not only incurable but also distressing and without Cessation
             Then the priest and public officials...exhort the man...to himself from the
             Bitter life... or else voluntarily permit others to free him."
             Sir More was not an advocate of euthanasia; he simply stated a Utopian point of view.
             In the U.S., the subject remains mired in debate and controversy there is no uniform law applicable in all states. Citizens of The United States are entitled to certain fundamental rights guaranteed by freedom of choice with regard to the direction and destiny of ones life.
             The euthanasia controversy is part of a larger issue concerning the right to die. Staunch defenders of personal ...