Euthanasia is from the Greek word euthanatos meaning easy inducement of a painless death—death without suffering.

Answer: Formerly called "mercy killing," euthanasia means intentionally making someone die, rather than allowing that person to die naturally. Put bluntly, euthanasia means killing in the name of compassion. See similar questions...

Answer: While the most visible and vocal support for euthanasia and assisted suicide comes from individuals like Jack Kevorkian or "right-to-die" organizations, groups and individuals concerned about lowering health care costs are becoming increasingly involved in euthanasia advocacy. For example, some foundations with links to profit-making health care enterprises fund programs with a distinct pro-euthanasia bias. See similar questions...

The most visible and vocal proponents of euthanasia and assisted suicide are right-to-die organizations made up of committed activists who seek to change the laws. But, they are only able to pursue their agenda because of funding from a handful of extremely generous sources. Far from reflecting any grassroots desire, the push for legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide is a "top down" creation where the few seek to change the laws that affect everyone.(66) See similar questions...

Making the decision to put your pet to sleep is heart-wrenching, but the euthanasia procedure itself doesn't have to be. Putting your pet to sleep at home spares you and your pet the stress, fear, difficulty, and discomfort of the transportation to a cold, sterile hospital. Instead, you can spend your last minutes together in the comfort and serenity of your pet's favorite place. See similar questions...

Well apparently it has to do with something called gene expression, which refers to the pattern in which genes are switched on and off. And gene expression has a major effect on your body's biological processes. Each cell in your body contains a 'power-factory' that produces energy, called the mitochondria. See similar questions...

Euthanasia is an act or omission intended to cause the death of a person in order to eliminate suffering, allegedly for his/her benefit. Euthanasia can be voluntary (at the request of the person), involuntary (against the person's wishes), or non-voluntary (when the person is unable to refuse or request to be killed). Assisted suicide means that the person is given assistance to kill himself/herself. The person performs the last act that causes his/her own death. See similar questions...

One way to distinguish them is to look at the last act – the act without which death would not occur. Using this distinction, if a third party performs the last act that intentionally causes a patient’s death, euthanasia has occurred. For example, giving a patient a lethal injection or putting a plastic bag over her head to suffocate her would be considered euthanasia. On the other hand, if the person who dies performs the last act, assisted suicide has taken place. See similar questions...

There is no special preparation necessary for your pet or home. When we arrive, we will spend a few minutes talking about your pet's specific situation, answering your questions about the procedure, and discussing the options for aftercare. When everyone is ready, we will go to your pet at a spot that is comfortable and non-threatening. This can be just about anywhere you decide: your lap, your pet's bed, or even outside under a favorite tree. See similar questions...

Those who are competent are currently able to decide whether they want to accept or refuse food, fluids, or medical treatment. a matter of law, courts in almost every state have ruled that a competent individual has a right to refuse life-support systems and even food and water. See similar questions...

The hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). Also churches on the religious right. See similar questions...

Mathematician Thomas Donaldson fought in the California courts for the right to be cryopreserved before brain cancer destroyed his personal identity. Unfortunately, Thomas lost the case, but fortunately his cancer went into remission. Thus far cryonics always requires a "natural death" and pronouncement of death before cryonics procedures can begin. See similar questions...

Answer: Absolutely not. There are two problems here -- the definition of "terminal" and the changes that have already taken place to extend euthanasia to those who aren't "terminally ill." There are many definitions for the word "terminal." For example, when he spoke to the National Press Club in 1992, Jack Kevorkian said that a terminal illness was "any disease that curtails life even for a day. See similar questions...

The Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven Society doesn't want to put any animal down. The decision to euthanise is based on humane reasons only (illness, injuries and ability to recover) as decided by an attending veterinarian. We want all animals to be adopted into loving homes or to live out the remainder of their life at the Safe Haven. See similar questions...