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Euthanasia is when those suffering from pain diseases wish to die on their own or perhaps with the assistance of a doctor. Thus, sometimes it is called assisted suicide. Very often in recent this has been called dying with dignity. For example an individual who has suffered immensely and who knows there is little or no possibility of recovery wish to die. For the medical community this issue brings up tough ethical problems. Does a person have the right to choose death as an option? Euthanasia also raises the idea of whether or not a doctor should participate in such a practice. These are very difficult issues to face, but ones that must be confronted when dealing with euthanasia.
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== '''The Issue of Euthanasia''' ==
A person must first realize that euthanasia is a subject that is not easily defined. The origin of the word euthanasia comes from ancient Greek meaning good death. The following shows us that there are three categories to which euthanasia can be classified. “(1) by an affirmative act designed to bring about death, such as the injection of air into a person’s veins; (2) by refusing to commence or continue further medical treatment required to maintain life; (3) by refusing to commence or continue further, ‘heroic’ or ‘extraordinary’ measures, such as the use of a heart-lung machine following a massive stroke.” The first two definitions are commonly referred to as euthanasia by action and euthanasia by omission. However, euthanasia can also be voluntary where an individual chooses death. Euthanasia is not a black and white issue and the ethical concerns are even more complicated. As euthanasia has become more apparent the medical community has had to adjust its understanding.
On the surface, euthanasia is a conflict to any physician. A doctor is to prolong life not to end it.