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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</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>

==References==

==References==

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[[category:law]]

[[category:law]]