Discuss the potential implications of legalizing euthanasia in New Zealand and examine its possible advantages and disadvantages.
             Do humans have any rights when it comes to their own deaths? Euthanasia is a very controversial issue being discussed in today's public forums. Most people have chosen sides based on either an ethical, moral or a religious view. Should those who want to die, or who are in a "persistent vegetative state" be able to die voluntarily? Who should decide: the patient, the doctor, the courts, or the families involved? In this essay I will provide two perspectives on the issue. One will be for euthanasia or 'the right to die', second will be the arguments against euthanasia or 'the right to live'. I will discuss ethical, moral and religious views as well as the current legal status in New Zealand and internationally
             Euthanasia is defined as the practise of painlessly putting to death persons who have incurable, painful or distressing diseases or handicaps. The word euthanasia is derived from the Greek words for 'good' and 'death' and is commonly regarded as mercy killing or the last act. In this sense it can be considered a descriptive term referring to an easy death as opposed to a long agonising death.
             Euthanasia can be and is often confused with assisted suicide. The differences between the two lie with the persons wish to commit suicide but is either unable to do so because of physical disability or have a lack of knowledge in the most effective means to do so. Currently in New Zealand, Lesley Martin a staunch pro-euthanasia campaigner was found guilty of attempting to murder her terminally ill mother and was sentenced to 15 months in prison (http://www.nzherald.co.nz). The Death with Dignity Bill, which proposed a binding referendum on whether terminally ill people should be allowed to end their lives, was tossed out of parliament just before he...