What is Euthanasia?
Euthanasia is a practice of ending the life of a patient who is terminally ill or experiencing great pain and suffering. It is a medical procedure that has become a highly controversial area of bioethics.
There are several forms of euthanasia, including passive euthanasia (pulling the plug) and active euthanasia. Passive euthanasia involves withdrawing or withholding measures that prolong life (for example, by removing the ventilator), while active euthanasia includes killing a patient with a lethal drug.
Voluntary euthanasia, on the other hand, is performed with the consent of the patient. It may be performed by a physician or by another person such as a nurse or family member.
These practices are usually not legal in the United States but have been made legal in other countries. Some of the main arguments against euthanasia are moral and religious in nature.
In the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, for instance, voluntary euthanasia is legal and physician-assisted suicide is also legal in these countries. These laws are based on the belief that the best care for patients should promote their well-being.