Nicolas Puente
Evans – 1B
3/2/05	

Throughout time, wide varieties of beliefs and ideas have slowly been broken down into ways of being accepted from the eyes of our peers and elders. For example, some believe that Euthanasia, the practice of a doctor ending a human’s life for the sake of ending unnecessary pain and suffering only after the patient has considered all effects, should be illegal. Although Euthanasia is biblically unethical and bears potential for a wave of unwanted killings, elderly people dying slowly and in great pain or extremely injured patients suffering a tremendous amount of pain should have the right to decide whether or not they can end their life.
When someone is in very serious pain they should be allowed to choose for their life to be ended or to be put in a drugged state. These days have advanced where patients can have their pain reduced by medicines to put them in a more comfortable feeling. “Everyone – whether it be a person with lifethreatening illnesses or a chronic condition – has the right to pain relief.”
Right to commit suicide – Humans have the right of life, this should be whether it's the right of continuing or ending their life.  People who attempt suicide are not punished, but people who kill other people will be criminalized. Euthanasia basically gives one person the legalized right to kill another, “That is the matter of very public concern since it can lead to tremendous abuse, exploitation, and erosion of care for the most vulnerable people among us.(1)"
People should not be forced to stay alive --- "Obviously, America in 1997 is not Germany in 1941... Americans have a practical sense of justice that favors the weak and the little guy...(2)."  To be afraid of an abuse and manipulation of euthanasia is perfectly normal for anyone, especially after the history of abuse in Germany, as well as the Netherlands.  That is why The Slippery Slope Argument would be put in place, basically it lays out guidelines or requirements needed for a patient to receive a mercy killing.  The criteria is outlined below:
	"1.	The patient must have an incurab le condition causing servere, unrelenting suffering.
	2.	The patient must understand his or her condition and prognosis, which must be verified by an independent second opinion.
	3.	All reasonable palliative measures must have been presented to and considered by the patient.
	4.	The patient must clearly and repeatedly request assistance in dying.
	5.	A psychiatric consultation must be held to establish if the patient is suffering from a treatable depression.
	6.	The prescribing physician, absent a close preexisting relationship (which would be ideal) must get to know the patient well enough to understand the reasons for 			her or his request.
	7.	No physician should be expected to violate his or her own basic values.  A physician who is unwilling to assist the patient should facilitate transfrew to another 			physician who would be prepared to do so.
	8.	All of the foregoing must be clearly documented. (3)"
	To be afraid of euthanasia also forces others to stay alive even if they have a chronic disease and may be suffering a termendous amount of pain
Based on information gathered from numerous sources it is my purpose to make it clear that Euthanasia should be allowed in the United States, but only for individuals who agree to have it.  As this is said it is also clear that strict guidelines must be put in place to keep euthanasia under control.

Works Cited
(1)	www.euthanasia.com 

(2)	"Assisted Suicide Distorts the Meaning of Mercy" by Charles J. Chaput.  Asissted Suicide. Laura K. Egendorf, ED. Current Controversies Series. Greenhaven Press, 	1998.  Reprinted from Charles J. Chaput, "Eugenics Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Thomson Gale. 11 February 2005
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	Document Number: X3010035210

(3)	"The Arguments of Those Opposed to Assisted Suicide Are Flawed" by Peter Rogatz.  Suicide. Roman Espejo, Ed.  Opposing Viewpoints(R) Series. Greenhaven Press, 	2003.  Peter Rogatz, "The Positive Virtues of Physician-Assisted Suicide: Physician-Assisted Suicide Is Among the Most Hotly Debated Bioethical Issues of Our Time," 	Humanist, vol. 61, November/December of 2001, p. 31.  Copyright (C) 2001 by Peter Rogatz.  Reproduced by permission.
	Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Thomson Gale. 11 February 2005
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	Document Number: X3010164249