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{{Orthodoxize}}{{cleanup|Needs a thorough revision, including opening definition}}'''Euthanasia''' refers to the act of intentionally ending the life of one who is when those suffering from pain diseases a terminal disease who has expressed the wish to be assisted to die on their own or perhaps with the assistance of a doctorin order to avoid what is seen to be as unecessary and unbearable suffering. The term literally means "good death" (εὖ + Θάνατος). Thus, It is sometimes it is called ''assisted suicide. Very '' or, very often in recent this times, it has been (euphemistically) 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 " Likewise when a person have doctor removes treatment, for the right to choose purpose of death as an option? Euthanasia also raises this too falls under the idea definition 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.
:"For doctors(1) by an affirmative act designed to bring about death, this dilemma challenges such as the Hippocratic Oath which commits them injection of air into a person's veins; :(2) by refusing to increasingly incompatible duties-commence or continue further medical treatment required to preserve maintain life and relive suffering. This conflict of conscience is steadily magnified ; :(3) by the swelling numbers of elderly people. In these circumstancesrefusing to commence or continue further, 'heroic' or 'extraordinary' measures, many people fear such as the prospect use of senility far more than they fear deatha heart-lung machine following a massive stroke."{{citation}}
"For doctors, this dilemma challenges the Hippocratic Oath which commits them to increasingly incompatible duties-to preserve life and relive suffering. This conflict of conscience is steadily magnified by the swelling numbers of elderly people. In these circumstances, many people fear the prospect of senility far more than they fear death."{{citation}} Yet, the argument could be made that a physician is in fact helping another person by assisting in their death. They are relieving the pain of the suffering person. Perhaps this willingness to remedy pain by any means possible is too apparent in this day and age. Suffering and pain are negative realities of the world we live in. Yet, perhaps from an ethical perspective we should see our individual suffering as the cross we must bear. When studying the topic of euthanasia one needs to wonder whether or not people are seeking a short answer for a long on going problem. Thus, the medical community needs to look for further cures, and likewise people should be willing to see a problem through. Naturally the topic of euthanasia has caused controversy from a religious perspective as well. Christian people see a basic good value in human life and wish to do anything that will preserve life. "Christianity affirms what mankind has said about the inherent value and dignity of human life. It affirms man's basic unity and his living-in-this-world for God and for others, although he has a destiny beyond this world."{{citation}} The previous statement is one that expresses a Roman Catholic opinion. Yet the same thought is common to all Christians. A very similar opinion is expressed by the Orthodox Church. "The Church accompanies its faithful from even before birth, through all the steps of life to death and beyond, with its prayers, rites, sacraments, preaching, teaching, and its love, faith and hope. All of life, and even death itself, are drawn into the realm of the life of the Church. Death is seen as evil in itself, and symbolic of all those forces which , oppose God-given life and its fulfillment. The Orthodox Church has a very strong pro-life stand which in part expresses itself in opposition to doctrinaire advocacy of euthanasia." ([http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article7101.asp ''The Stand of the Orthodox Church on Controversial Issues''] by Fr. [[Stanley Harakas]]){{citation}}
The Orthodox Church understands life as a gift from God and that this gift must be valued.
Euthanasia is wrong from the Orthodox Christian ethical perspective. According to the teachings of the Orthodox Church, life must be preserved because it is something that has been given by God. Similarly, human life should be always treated with respect for humanity was made in the image and likeness of God. These are ideas that are often forgotten as people wish to remove their suffering in the most extreme manner. There are many reasons to which traditional Christianity teaches opposition to euthanasia. Euthanasia is act of killing because it seeks to end life. "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood be shed for God made man in his image." ([[Genesis]] 9:6). This means that life is good and that we should not try to end it from due to any amount of pain.
From the position of those who favor euthanasia the practice is understood as a means of removing pain. If pain and suffering are understood as being bad then euthanasia must be good. "Pain, suffering, and evil in general, thus all reveal a certain lack of being, a certain negativity which threatens man's being-in-the-world. It forces man to consider himself, to reflect on his mode of being in this world and to contemplate the sorrow of his contingency." {{citation}} To use the modern terminology, this is referring to quality of life. Supporters of euthanasia feel that if their quality of life is infringed upon they have the right to end their life and to die as they choose.
The advances in medical technology also play plays an interesting part in the drama of euthanasia. The greater that the modern advances are becoming the greater opportunity there is to prolong life. "Not long ago, when the point of death was reached, there was usually nothing that could be done about it. Now, due to the marvels of medicine, all kinds of things can help keep people 'alive' long after what used to be the final crisis. For example there is a cardiac 'pacemaker' a machine that can restart a heart that a stopped beating." {{citation}} This brings the issue to the forefront of whether or not it is right to prolong a life simply by medical advancements. The opposition that is put forth to this argument is as follows; should not we allow a person to die when it is their time and not to prolong their life extensively? Subsequently, is a physician murdering in the strictest sense if he was to withhold the treatment? "The religious person's concern that ending one's life is playing God may seem to be predicated on the indefensible assumption that respecting the natural ordering of events is respecting the divine ordering of events. According to this view, letting nature have its way is interpreted as letting God have his way." This is rather difficult as one can see. From the definition of the church’s teaching it is murder. The doctor had a method of treatment available and did not administer it instead allows the patient to die. Life is extremely important and we must exhaust every possible alternative in order to prolong an individual's life.
The opposition that is put forth to this argument is as follows; should not we allow a person to die when it is their time and not to prolong their life extensively? Subsequently, is a physician murdering in the strictest sense if he was to withhold the treatment? "The religious person's concern that ending one's life is playing God may seem to be predicated on the indefensible assumption that respecting the natural ordering of events is respecting the divine ordering of events. According to this view, letting nature have its way is interpreted as letting God have his way."{{citation}} This is rather difficult as one can see. From the definition of the church's teaching it is murder. The doctor had a method of treatment available and did not administer it instead allows the patient to die. Life is extremely important and we must exhaust every possible alternative in order to prolong an individual's life. The issue of euthanasia in recent years has seen intense legal debates as well. In 1994 , the state of Oregon passed a law making euthanasia legal. According to this law if an individual has been diagnosed with a terminal condition, they have the option to request a prescription of a lethal injection. The doctor is legally freed from any liability. In October of 2005 , the law went before the U.S. Supreme Courtdue to intense opposition. However, on [[January 17]], 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the decision from in favor of the state of Oregon in a 6-to-3 vote. Legalizing euthanasia is something that presents people with a new era in the medical world. Besides Oregon, euthanasia is legal as a practice to be performed in Holland and Belgium.
==Living wills==
Part of the legal ramifications include having a living will. A living will is a contract made while a person is still living. It is a document that verifies the intentions of the person in the event of debilitating injury or illness. It is usually accompanied by a power of attorney. A power of attorney is a contract in which someone is selected to make life and death decisions should the person be unable to. More often people delegate the responsibility to a family member.
==Examples in the media==
In 2005, the case of Terri Schiavo made headlines. This was the case of a woman who suffered brain damage and was since 1990 was in a lifeless state. Her husband had been petitioning courts to allow him to remove her feeding tube. Finally, in March of 2005, the court sided in his favor, she died shortly after.
There is also the infamous , Dr. Jack Kevorkian who has assisted many patients diein their death. Kevorkian has, in an eight-year period of time, helped over 100 one hundred people to dieby administering different procedures. Very often the person was connected up to a machine that had canister of carbon monoxide. Kevorkian also is known to have injected lethal drugs as well. Both of these particular cases, Terri Schiavo and Dr. Kevorkian, had highly controversial subjects. The case of Terri Schiavo forced to people to consider the rights of the patient, while Dr. Kevorkian made many examine whether or not a physician has the right to aid in a person's death.
==Conclusion==Regardless of legal ruling on this issue there will be not significant change from a religious perspective. Christian people, in particular Eastern Orthodox Christians , firmly support the maintaining of human life. Perhaps , if there were was a formal statement from the federal government on euthanasia it would motivate the church authority to take a formal position.
[[Category:Bioethics]]
[[Category:Ethics]]