Euthanasia is not Murder

Debate continues over the issue of euthanasia because of the recent court decision over Dr. Death. Kevorkian has been aquitted of murder in his assisted suicide cases and the court has created precedent for the legalization of selecting death. Euthanasia does take place and is selected voluntarily by patients who are in great pain due to an incurable illness like cancer. Usually, the decision is made to pull the plugs of machines which prolong life …

…to assist Karen breathe. In 1976, the courts gave the permission parents sought (Spring and Larson 155-156). However, no cases have yet set a precedent for active euthanasia, meaning that legally active euthanasia is still very controversial. Hence, doctors who support active euthanasia and feel morally obligated to help a patient end pain and suffering, will fulfill their duty by assisting that patient to die more comfortably. In such cases, euthanasia cannot be considered as murder.