Can We Stop It?

Euthanasia is the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit. If the death is not intended than it is not an act of euthanasia. Euthanasia is also known as mercy killing. Euthanasia is starting to be more popular around the world. There have already been euthanasia laws passed in Oregon, Washington, and some countries in Europe such as the Netherlands. In the Netherlands all types of euthanasia are permitted including non-voluntary euthanasia. Non-voluntary euthanasia is when the person who is killed made no consent.
Ever since about 400 B.C. people have been against euthanasia. The Greek physician Hippocrates, or as some called him the "Father of Medicine" said a quote which would soon been know as the Hippocratic Oath. Hippocrates said "I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel..." (Hippocrates). Adolf Hitler also had a Euthanasia program. He killed several thousand people without consent. People with disabilities and those who were terminally ill were euthanized by Hitler. Other countries that have euthanasia laws include Belgium, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Luxembourg, Albania, Switzerland, and lastly Thailand (Euthanasia).

Another type of euthanasia is involuntary euthanasia.  Involuntary euthanasia is when the person who is killed made an expressed wish to the contrary. It is when the person being killed was thinking about using euthanasia but was not sure, and that person was killed because it met the minimal standards to legally kill someone. This becomes a very slippery slope debate. When laws permit voluntary euthanasia (when the person who is killed has requested it) this may lead to non-voluntary or involuntary euthanasia (Singer).