Euthanasia

“The intentional termination of the life of one human being by another-mercy killing-is contrary to that for which the medical profession stands,”(p.235) said James Rachels on the topic of euthanasia. I believe, and strongly agree with Rachels, that mercy killing is not permissible and is not what medical professionals should be doing. If we look at these mercy killings, or voluntary active euthanasia, they are the patients’ request, usually after a traumatic event occurs …

…society if views change towards killing people instead of treating them. Choosing to be kept off of life support can improve your end of life experience, but to choose to be killed by a doctor and cut your life short should never be done. In conclusion, voluntary passive euthanasia is morally permissible because it is only letting someone die. But, voluntary active euthanasia is morally impermissible because you are killing a person who could survive.