Euthanasia-the Right to a Dignified Death

Abstract

The term euthanasia itself is very conflicted and holds two meanings according to Keown: “to end the suffering and prolonged treatment of a terminally ill patient” or “to euthanize a patient by using a lethal injection” (2002). Furthermore, euthanasia can be categorized in three ways. There is “voluntary euthanasia,” where the patient requests out of their own free will the process of euthanasia in order to help end their suffering. Then there is “non-voluntary euthanasia,” where the act of euthanasia is performed on patients who are not competent to make an informed decision. Finally, there is “involuntary euthanasia,” where euthanasia is performed against the demands of a fully competent patient (Keown, 2002).