In order to provide a framework for my thesis on the morality of euthanasia, it is first necessary to define what euthanasia is and the different types euthanasia. The term euthanasia comes from the Greek words “eu”, meaning happy or good, and “thanatos”, meaning death. The literal definition of the word euthanasia can therefore be translated as “good or happy death”. The different types of euthanasia. are active or passive euthanasia and voluntary or involuntary euthanasia. Passive euthanasia generally refers to ending a person's life by removing them from a life support device, such as a ventilator. This form of euthanasia is approved by the American Medical Association and is less controversial than active euthanasia. Active euthanasia refers to the act of ending a person's life by a competent medical authority administering a lethal injection of a muscle relaxant or painkiller. The terms voluntary or involuntary indicate whether or not a patient requests euthanasia or whether the patient is unable to make such a request and whether euthanasia is carried out by a competent medical authority at the request of another member. of the family, or by a competent medical authority. decision. Involuntary euthanasia usually occurs when a patient is in a coma. Because passive euthanasia is accepted by the American Medical Association in cases where it is clear that the patient has no reasonable hope of living without the assistance of a machine, passive euthanasia is not as controversial than active euthanasia. . This article will focus on the controversial moral issues surrounding voluntary or involuntary active euthanasia, the ending of a person's life by lethal injection with or without the patient's consent. Unless... middle of paper... greater pain and anguish for longer periods of time than my father experienced, I believe euthanasia is the only form of compassionate relief we can provide. I believe it is morally important to allow a person to die with respect for their dignity, while respecting their autonomy. For these reasons, euthanasia is morally justified when administered under strict controls. Works Cited Kamm, FL (1998) Physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, and intent to die. Physician-assisted suicide: broadening the debateKass, L. (1989, Winter). Neither for love nor for money: why doctors must not kill Quaghebeur, T., Dierckx de Casterlé, B. and Gastmans, C. (2009). Nursing and euthanasia: literature review on argument-based ethics, Nursing Ethics, 2009 16 (4). Shafer-Landau, R., (2010), The fundamental principles of ethics. Oxford University Press.