This essay on euthanasia talks about its basic meaning and concept, main purpose behind, history of Euthanasia concept and how it relates to today. This essay is written in simple English and in easy words. It is helpful for children and students.
Essay on Euthanasia | Types, History, Importance of Euthanasia
Euthanasia is a process of ending someone’s life painlessly. It is also called ‘mercy killing’. The act of mercy killing or euthanasia can be carried out by anyone, including the family members or close friends of the person who is terminally ill.
Euthanasia; Meaning & Concept
Euthanasia is from Greek, “good death”. It is the action of ending a person’s life in a painless way. Euthanasia can be either active or passive. Active euthanasia is when someone takes deliberate steps to end a person’s life, such as giving them a lethal injection. Passive euthanasia is when someone lets a person die by withholding medical treatment or not providing necessary life-sustaining equipment, such as a ventilator.
Types of Euthanasia
Voluntary: when the person requests to die
Non-voluntary: when the person is unable to make the decision themselves, for example because they are in a coma
Involuntary: when the person does not want to die but is killed anyway, for example because they are considered a burden on society
Euthanasia is a controversial topic because some people believe that it is a form of murder. Others believe that it can be a humane way to end a person’s suffering.
The main purpose behind euthanasia is to end the patients suffering. In some cases, it is also done to end the financial burden on the family of a terminally ill patient. Sometimes, people also request euthanasia because they do not want to be a burden on others.
History of Euthanasia Concept
The history of euthanasia concept dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. The first recorded instance of euthanasia was in 399 BC, when Socrates was given a lethal dose of poison by his friends. In the Roman Empire, people would sometimes be put to death painlessly if they were considered a burden on society.
During the medieval period, Christian churches opposed any form of killing, including euthanasia. This changed in the late 1800s, when some churches began to accept that euthanasia could be a humane way to end a person’s suffering.
The first modern law legalizing voluntary euthanasia was passed in the Netherlands in 2002. Since then, Belgium, Luxembourg and Colombia have also legalized euthanasia. In the United States, there is no federal law on euthanasia, but some states have passed their own laws.
Euthanasia Today
The issue of euthanasia is still controversial today. Some people believe that it is a form of murder, while others believe that it can be a humane way to end a person’s suffering. The debate is likely to continue for many years to come.
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Conclusion:
Euthanasia is a controversial topic because some people believe that it is a form of murder. Others believe that it can be a humane way to end a person’s suffering. The debate is likely to continue for many years to come.