euthanasia / assisted suicide

it was simply the title that caught my eyes on this news article: Bush Administration Blocked on Assisted Suicide. Attorney General John Ashcroft had threatened to revoke prescription writing licenses for physicians and pharmacists who filled life-ending drug orders. But Oregon said 'no, our law stands.'



i had my intro to soc classes do presentations on this topic and it seemed that quite a few people are in favor of it. some facts:

the difference between euthanasia and assisted suicide is in who is doing it. with euthanasia, someone else is giving the lethal dose and with assisted suicide, the physician (usually) gives the lethal drugs and the persons administers it themselves. i think too few people realize this difference.

those in favor point out that since people have a right to live, then people have a right to die - with dignity, without being a burden to their friends and family (not to mention the state).

those against it note that Hitler used euthanasia but he called it 'mercy killings.' no one wants to be like Hitler.

Oregon is the only state that allows assisted suicide. The Netherlands do as well.