Euthanasia Pros and Cons

Euthanasia: The intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit. (If death is not intended, it is not an act of euthanasia)

Arguments For Euthanasia:

• It provides a way to relieve extreme pain

• It provides a way of relief when a person's quality of life is low

• Frees up medical funds to help other people

• It is another case of freedom of choice

Arguments Against Euthanasia:

• Euthanasia devalues human life

• Euthanasia can become a means of health care cost containment

• Physicians and other medical care people should not be involved in directly causing death

• There is a "slippery slope" effect that has occurred where euthanasia has been first been legalized for only the terminally ill and later laws are changed to allow it for other people or to be done non-voluntarily.