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'''Euthanasia''' (from the [[Greek language|Greek]] for good death) is the act of terminating the life of a disabled or terminally ill person or animal, for instance in order to end unbearable suffering. Under Anglo-American law, involuntary euthanasia of humans is illegal--although there are a few exception now in the [[United States]] (see below). Most religious leaders see all forms of human euthanasia as murder.{{fact}}

'''Euthanasia''' (from the [[Greek language|Greek]] for good death) is the act of terminating the life of a disabled or terminally ill person or animal, for instance in order to end unbearable suffering. Under Anglo-American law, involuntary euthanasia of humans is illegal—although there are a few exception now in the [[United States]] (see below). Most religious leaders see all forms of human euthanasia as murder.{{fact}}

Most [[libertarians]] and many [[liberals]] support legalization in some circumstances of ''voluntary euthanasia'', i.e. the termination of a dying patient's life upon his/her own explicit request. Voluntary euthanasia has been legalized in the [[Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]], where large majorities of the population support the right of terminally ill patients to die at a moment of their own choosing, and in [[Switzerland]] and the US state of [[Oregon]], where the people explicitly endorsed legalization in plebiscites.  Legalized euthanasia has limitations on when it may be used, such as the approval of a number of physicians when a terminally ill patient suffers from excruciating pain. Opponents of euthanasia maintain that this rarely constitutes an obstacle, as in practice all it requires is a few physicians to authorize it, and that legalization thus violates the sanctity of human life. They also fear legalization could be a slippery slope, leading to the planned and involuntary termination of all life that is deemed "unworthy", as in the [[Nazis]]' program to kill the mentally and physically handicapped. Supporters of legalized voluntary euthanasia, on the other hand, feel that a complete ban would unnecessarily prolong the suffering of some terminally ill patients and thus contravene the [[Gospel]]'s teaching of compassion. They are convinced that the rule of law in democratic societies prevents excesses such as the euthanasia program of [[Nazi]] [[Germany]].  

Most [[libertarians]] and many [[liberals]] support legalization in some circumstances of ''voluntary euthanasia'', i.e. the termination of a dying patient's life upon his/her own explicit request. Voluntary euthanasia has been legalized in the [[Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]], where large majorities of the population support the right of terminally ill patients to die at a moment of their own choosing, and in [[Switzerland]] and the US state of [[Oregon]], where the people explicitly endorsed legalization in plebiscites.  Legalized euthanasia has limitations on when it may be used, such as the approval of a number of physicians when a terminally ill patient suffers from excruciating pain. Opponents of euthanasia maintain that this rarely constitutes an obstacle, as in practice all it requires is a few physicians to authorize it, and that legalization thus violates the sanctity of human life. They also fear legalization could be a slippery slope, leading to the planned and involuntary termination of all life that is deemed "unworthy", as in the [[Nazis]]' program to kill the mentally and physically handicapped. Supporters of legalized voluntary euthanasia, on the other hand, feel that a complete ban would unnecessarily prolong the suffering of some terminally ill patients and thus contravene the [[Gospel]]'s teaching of compassion. They are convinced that the rule of law in democratic societies prevents excesses such as the euthanasia program of [[Nazi]] [[Germany]].  

The widely reported withdrawal of a feeding tube from the disabled and comatose [[Terri Schiavo]], with a court order prohibiting anyone from bringing her water, is an example of ''involuntary euthanasia''.  The [[Texas]] Futile Care Law, which allows a medical provider to override a family's wishes and withhold lifesaving care, is another example of the legalization, in precisely circumscribed circumstances, of involuntary euthanasia.<ref>[http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/HS/content/htm/hs.002.00.000166.00.htm Texas Statute ''Advance Directives Act'']</ref>

The widely reported withdrawal of a feeding tube from the disabled and comatose [[Terri Schiavo]], with a court order prohibiting anyone from bringing her water, is an example of ''involuntary euthanasia''.  The [[Texas]] Futile Care Law, which allows a medical provider to override a family's wishes and withhold lifesaving care, is another example of the legalization, in precisely circumscribed circumstances, of involuntary euthanasia.<ref>[http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/HS/content/htm/hs.002.00.000166.00.htm Texas Statute ''Advance Directives Act'']</ref>

Of recent concern are erroneous<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/opinion/15blumenauer.html Earl Blumenauer, "My Near Death Panel Experience,"] ''New York Times'' Nov. 14, 2009</ref> reports (July 2009) that Section 1233 E & F (pp. 426-433), of the proposed House Government Health Plan establishes mandatory end-of-life counseling for senior citizens over age 65, every five years, or sooner if beneficiary becomes ill. This would provide [[Medicare]] patients with counseling on "the use of artificially administered nutrition and hydration" and other end of life treatments.<ref>[http://www.jeffhead.com/DemHealthCare.htm#provisions HOUSE DEMOCRAT (OBAMA) HEALTH CARE PLAN]</ref><ref>[http://www.lifenews.com/bio2896.html LifeNews.com, ''Lawmakers Confirm House Health Care Bill Promotes Euthanasia Among Elderly''], July 24, 2009</ref>   

Of recent concern are erroneous<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/opinion/15blumenauer.html Earl Blumenauer, "My Near Death Panel Experience,"] ''New York Times'' Nov. 14, 2009</ref> reports (July 2009) that Section 1233 E & F (pp.&nbsp;426–433), of the proposed House Government Health Plan establishes mandatory end-of-life counseling for senior citizens over age 65, every five years, or sooner if beneficiary becomes ill. This would provide [[Medicare]] patients with counseling on "the use of artificially administered nutrition and hydration" and other end of life treatments.<ref>[http://www.jeffhead.com/DemHealthCare.htm#provisions HOUSE DEMOCRAT (OBAMA) HEALTH CARE PLAN]</ref><ref>[http://www.lifenews.com/bio2896.html LifeNews.com, ''Lawmakers Confirm House Health Care Bill Promotes Euthanasia Among Elderly''], July 24, 2009</ref>   

==Studies==

==Studies==

The State Commission on Euthanasia in 1987 had recommended that Non-Voluntary Euthanasia should not be an offense. In 1991 a Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG) committee  condoned the killing of patients in persistent coma.<ref>Keown J. The Law and Practice of Euthanasia in the Netherlands. Law Q Rev 1992; 108: 51-78</ref>

The State Commission on Euthanasia in 1987 had recommended that Non-Voluntary Euthanasia should not be an offense. In 1991 a Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG) committee  condoned the killing of patients in persistent coma.<ref>Keown J. The Law and Practice of Euthanasia in the Netherlands. Law Q Rev 1992; 108: 51-78</ref>

An additional study by sociologists in [[South Australia]], reported in 1994, found that 19% of doctors surveyed had deliberately ended someone's life, with their the answers revealing that in 49% of those occasions they had done so without the patient's request.<ref>Meier DE, Emmons CA, Wallenstein S, Quill T, Morrison RS, Cassel CK. A National Survey of Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in the United States. NEnglJMed 1998; 338: 1193-1201. </ref>  

An additional study by sociologists in [[South Australia]], reported in 1994, found that 19% of doctors surveyed had deliberately ended someone's life, with their the answers revealing that in 49% of those occasions they had done so without the patient's request.<ref>Meier DE, Emmons CA, Wallenstein S, Quill T, Morrison RS, Cassel CK. A National Survey of Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in the United States. NEnglJMed 1998; 338: 1193-1201.</ref>  

Also, in Belgium a survey of deaths registered during the first four months of 1998 found that over 10% of deaths were due to euthanasia, including the use of drugs given by doctors to hasten death, "without the explicit request of the patient".<ref>BBC News. 11/24/2000, ''Doctors `help kill one in 10 Belgians''</ref>

Also, in Belgium a survey of deaths registered during the first four months of 1998 found that over 10% of deaths were due to euthanasia, including the use of drugs given by doctors to hasten death, "without the explicit request of the patient".<ref>BBC News. 11/24/2000, ''Doctors `help kill one in 10 Belgians''</ref>

==See also==

==See also==

*[[Suicide]]

*[[Suicide]]

*[[Assisted suicide ]]

*[[Assisted suicide]]

[[Category:Law]]

[[Category:Law]]