Recently, there has been a significant amount of attention toward the legalization of voluntary euthanasia; and because this topic is controversial with many supporters and non-supporters that makes it an applied ethical dilemma. The Greek origin of euthanasia means “good or easy death” (Online Etymology Dictionary). Does euthanasia really make death easier? Supporters of euthanasia argue that a terminally-ill patient should be given the option of an easy, painless death; while non-supporters believe that life is precious and warn of the dangerous mindset euthanasia brings. In general, there are two distinct types of euthanasia: active and passive. The difference is the ethical ramifications surrounding the means leading to the same end.
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On February 25, 1990, Terri collapsed at home while alone with her husband, and ended up in a persistent vegetative state due to lack of oxygen. In 1992, Terri’s husband, Michael, filed a malpractice suit against Terri’s doctor and blamed them for her collapse. Michael testified that he would need money to take of Terri for the rest of her life and pay for her rehabilitation. Michael was awarded $2 million. Obviously, in the beginning Michael planned on caring for Terri, but soon after the trial in 1993 Michael ceased all Terri’s therapy and placed her in a nursing home. Michael also prohibited Terri’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Schindler, from being able to see her. The Schindler’s were confused by Michael’s actions because over the past few years they saw minor improvements in Terri’s condition. Unfortunately, Michael Schiavo was Terri’s legal guardian and had the power to make all her medical decisions. The Schindler’s took Michael to court numerous times and desperately fought for guardianship over Terri. Mr. and Mrs. Schindler just wanted to take care of their beloved daughter; they told Michael he could keep the money awarded in the malpractice trial and any money he would receive after Terri passed away. However, every single time the court ruled in favor of Michael Schiavo. In 1998 Michael requested that Terri’s feeding tube be removed, which is involuntary, passive euthanasia. What caused Michael to change his mind? Michael claimed that he suddenly remembered a conversation he had with Terri, where she verbally told him she wouldn’t want to kept alive by machines. Terri was in persistent vegetative state which means she was in a wakeful state of unconsciousness. Terri’s only struggle was eating, therefore, she was fed through a feeding tube. Otherwise, Terri didn’t require a ventilator, she was able to breath on her own; this fact distinctly separates
On February 25, 1990, Terri collapsed at home while alone with her husband, and ended up in a persistent vegetative state due to lack of oxygen. In 1992, Terri’s husband, Michael, filed a malpractice suit against Terri’s doctor and blamed them for her collapse. Michael testified that he would need money to take of Terri for the rest of her life and pay for her rehabilitation. Michael was awarded $2 million. Obviously, in the beginning Michael planned on caring for Terri, but soon after the trial in 1993 Michael ceased all Terri’s therapy and placed her in a nursing home. Michael also prohibited Terri’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Schindler, from being able to see her. The Schindler’s were confused by Michael’s actions because over the past few years they saw minor improvements in Terri’s condition. Unfortunately, Michael Schiavo was Terri’s legal guardian and had the power to make all her medical decisions. The Schindler’s took Michael to court numerous times and desperately fought for guardianship over Terri. Mr. and Mrs. Schindler just wanted to take care of their beloved daughter; they told Michael he could keep the money awarded in the malpractice trial and any money he would receive after Terri passed away. However, every single time the court ruled in favor of Michael Schiavo. In 1998 Michael requested that Terri’s feeding tube be removed, which is involuntary, passive euthanasia. What caused Michael to change his mind? Michael claimed that he suddenly remembered a conversation he had with Terri, where she verbally told him she wouldn’t want to kept alive by machines. Terri was in persistent vegetative state which means she was in a wakeful state of unconsciousness. Terri’s only struggle was eating, therefore, she was fed through a feeding tube. Otherwise, Terri didn’t require a ventilator, she was able to breath on her own; this fact distinctly separates