Why Is Euthanasia Wrong

The topic of my research paper is euthanasia. I chose this topic because it is very controversial and I am intrigued by the dialog it can spark. Before this research paper I thought euthanasia was simply a doctor or nurse killing patients they thought didn't have any quality of life by giving them a lethal injection. I found from my research that it is a lot more complicated than that. There are people who actually want to be euthanized. There are also situations where removal of ventilation or feeding tubes will bring about death. There are many different situations and circumstances and even definitions of euthanasia. This paper will only scrape the surface of the mountains of debates, legal issues, moral issues and personal stances
Euthenasia.com had several break outs and definitions on their website. They started with the basic euthanasia definition – "the intentional killing by an act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit. (The key word here is intentional. If death is not intended, it is not an act of euthanasia)." Voluntary euthanasia – "when the person who is killed has requested to be killed." Non-voluntary euthanasia – "when the person who is killed made no request and gave no consent." Involuntary euthanasia – "when the person who is killed made an expressed wish to the contrary." Assisted suicide – "when someone provides an individual with the information, guidance, and means to take his or her own life with the intention that they will be used for this purpose." Physician assisted suicide - "when it is a doctor who helps another person kill themselves." Euthanasia by action – "intentionally causing a person's death by performing an action such as by giving a lethal injection." Euthanasia by omission –"intentionally causing death by not providing necessary and ordinary care or food and water." (Euthanasia definitions, euthanasia.com, retrieved December
There seems to be a lot more opposition to legalizing euthanasia. The main argument that resounded in the research was that euthanasia would be another means in which Healthcare would discriminate against people and for the bottom line. Cost has been factors in many healthcare decisions that people against euthanasia feel that this would open a floodgate for cost containment through euthanasia. Drugs used for assisted suicide can cost as little as $40.00 whereas it takes thousands of dollars to treat patients for some medical conditions. Legalizing euthanasia would add pressure on already crunched doctors helping them find they would be better off financially if a seriously ill or disabled person "chose" to die rather than receive long-term care. (Arguments against euthanasia, euthanasia.com, retrieved December 2004) Some groups go as far as to say that it would actually victimize minorities and poor people if assisted suicide supporters got their way. Disability rights activist Diane Coleman has observed, assisted suicide is primarily promoted by those who are "white, well-off, worried and well." Countless counts were given of disparities between the way African Americans were treated and the lack of pain medications being administered to them for the same injuries as white patients. International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, InternationalTaskForce.org, retrieved January 20,