Euthanasia and its Legalization in the U.S.

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the controversy surrounding euthanasia. It considers the arguments both for and against its practice. In the end, the paper argues, by providing example cases, that the benefits of allowing euthanasia are outweighed by the potential harm that it causes to society. The paper concludes that euthanasia should not be legalized in the United States.

From the Paper:

"It has also been eloquently pointed out that permitting euthanasia would amount to promoting the rights of the individual at the expense of the best interests of society. (Callahan) For example, Callahan cites an example from the trial of Dr. Jack Kevorkian. Kevorkian was tried for assisting in the euthanasia of a 43-year-old multiple sclerosis (MS) victim named Sherry Miller. At the trial Dr. Stanton Elias pointed out that Miller's death had been extremely demoralizing for other multiple sclerosis victims, who were deeply concerned that her death sent a message to society that "they [people who suffer from MS] are somehow less of a human being and don't count for as much if they can't get out of a wheelchair." (Callahan, 247)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Callahan, Jay. "Assisted Suicide, Community and the Common Good. Health and Social Work 22.4 (1997): 243+.
• Eisenberg, Daniel. "Lessons of the Schiavo Battle." Time Magazine, 165.14 (April 4, 2005): 15+.
• "Euthanasia." The Columbia Encyclopaedia, Sixth Edition. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
• "Euthanasia." b. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica Premium Service. 2005. Retrieved from web site: http://www.britannica.com/eb/ article?tocId=9033299.
• Haffner, Sebastian. Defying Hitler: A Memoir. New York: Picador, 2000.

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