Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia - It Is Not Murder, It Is Mercy Essay

Euthanasia: It Is Not Murder, It Is Mercy Thesis Statement: Thousands of people in the United States alone die every year from terminal illness such as cancer, ALS and AIDS. Advanced Medical technology is responsible for keeping many of them alive - many against their wishes. In the United States, euthanasia (assisted suicide) is illegal in all but one state. Many patients are forced to suffer needlessly when there is another alternative. According to a new Time/CNN poll 7 out of 10 American's say that they want to die at home; instead three-fourths die in medical institutions" (Cloud 59). In our society people are, as a whole, living longer. With all the choices we are allowed, why is a good death not one of them? In our society we are awarded one life and one death, no more, no less. Granted, living life to its fullest is an American way of life NO ONE wants to die in pain, alone and afraid. We would all like to drift to sleep on the wings of a dove never to suffer again. It is a nice thought but for 52.5% of Americans who are terminally ill, this does not happen. More and more people, young and old, are being diagnosed with Cancer, AIDS, and other diseases such as Muscular Dystrophy, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and Alzheimer's disease. Euthanasia is becoming more and more popular as a way to end one's suffering when there is no further medical treatment available to CURE the disease. Darkling I listen, and for many a time I have been half in love with easeful death, Call'd him soft names in many a mused rhyme, To take the air my quiet breath; Now more than ever it seems rich to die To cease upon the midnight with no pain... -John Keats- Dying is a personal thing ... ...hink that the Death with Dignity Act should be incorporated into all the States laws. It is the last time one has the ability to assert oneself and make a conscious decision to die a good death. Give Strong Drink unto him that is ready to perish and wine unto those of heavy heart - Proverbs 31:6 SOURCES CITED Cloud, Joseph, "Seeking a Humane Way to Die." Time Magazine. September   2000. Euthanasia: Some General Information, http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/2195/info.html Humphry, Derek. Final Exit. New York. 1991 Dell Publishing Tada, Joni Eareckson. When Is It Right To Die? Michigan, 1992.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Zondervan   Publishing Van Biema, David, "Is There a Right to Die?" Time Magazine. January 1997  Ã‚   http://www.time.com/time/magazine/1997/dom/970113/society.is_there_a.html Thomas Nelson Publishers Word in Life Bible. Nashville. 1993