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'''Euthanasia''' (from the [[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. 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>