Реферат: Euthanasia Essay Research Paper Euthanasiasubmitted by

and a fine of up to $10,000, or both. However, there are two companion bills that were

introduced in Wisconsin in 1995. Assembly Bill 174 and Senate Bill 90 permit some

individuals to make written requests to ask for medication from a physician to end their

own life. The patient must have a terminal illness and not be expected to live longer than

six months. The physician must be the one who is making the primary health care

decisions for that patient, but another physician and a psychiatrist must also be consulted.

There are many steps and safeguards in place that must be done before this can happen.

There is also time allowed for the individual to change his/her mind (Bulletin 95-2).

Most opponents of euthanasia are from the Christian community. For example,

the Roman Catholic Church considers it murder and illegal. The church feels that life

should be preserved and that taking one’s own life is considered suicide and punishable by

God. It does, however, allow a seriously ill person the right to refuse extraordinary

medical procedures to preserve life (McAteer J13). Other opponents feel that it can get

out of control and become an abuse of power. Just who can decide who can live and die

is an issue that reminds some people of Nazi Germany where those in power decided that

individuals who were no longer valuable to the community were killed (Encarta). Many

doctors are also troubled by this issue, because they say a creed that they will preserve life

at all costs. This creed was written long before modern medicine and new life-saving

techniques were available. Quantity of life is sometimes exchanged for quality of life.

Opponents also fear that because of the increased success that doctors have had in

transplanting human organs, euthanasia will be practiced to sacrifice some weaker

individuals so that stronger individuals needing transplants will be given them (Encarta).

Some elderly patients also feel that they may be sacrificed before they are really ready to

die. There is also the issue of assisted suicide being performed on individuals who really

are not as sick as they were diagnosed. Many patients who are diagnosed with a terminal

illness live longer than was predicted. Some even may be “cured” because of new medical

procedures and medicines (Worsnop 153). Many of these arguments have validity, but

should be balanced with one’s right to choose life or death.

In a poll taken in January 1991, sixty-six percent of the people surveyed felt that a