Euthanasia Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Euthanasia - Term Paper ExampleBurgess (2005) explained the conditions that enable natural weft 1) Genetic variation must be present to propel developing, where the root is random mutation that pertains to the DNA making copying errors during cell division 2) purposive selection of genetic changes happen because of the adaptive needs of surviving in the environment and 3) Organisms have mechanisms that pass these changes from one generation to the next through a self-copying DNA molecule (p.5). Hence, the basic foundation of evolution is genetic diversity. Euthanasia can be studied from an evolutionary perspective, in that it can either hold or oppose it, depending on whose thinking and principles are involved (Stewart-Williams, 2010, p.269). The evolutionary perspective can provide justifications for it, or rejection of its fundamental proponents assumptions and arguments (Persaud, 2007, p.340). When searching keywords in euthanasia, evolution*, and anthropology, in EBSCO databa se and Google, however, it becomes apparent that not many studies focus on examining euthanasia from an evolutionary perspective. ... The writer of the paper has heard of friends and distant family members, whose elderly or very(prenominal) sick relatives called for euthanasia. None of them admitted, however, of approving such requests, because they thought that euthanasia is inhumane and against their soulfulnessal and religious beliefs. They did not think that it was right to take another persons life, no matter how much that person wanted it. They assert that life is sacred and that even suffering is not enough reason to hold in euthanasia. The writer wants to further understand the evolution of these beliefs using relevant articles, especially tracing back euthanasia practices in ancient convictions. Thus, the main rationale of conducting the guinea pig is to respond to the literature gap and to further study a personal concern regarding the evolution of beliefs in and prac tices of euthanasia. Preliminary Review of Literature Euthanasia loosely refers to the taking of someones life after the express request of the latter, with the main purpose of ending suffering and pain. Today, there are two kinds of euthanasia, which has its variations mobile and passive euthanasia. Passive euthanasia refers to removing the life support of a person, and allowing nature to take its course for the dying patient. Some examples are removing respirators or stopping care for provision. Active euthanasia, on the contrary, consists of direct action, usually through a doctor. Several examples are administering lethal injection or giving medicine that can cause death. Some forms of active euthanasia may involve relatives of the patient who approve of euthanasia because the latter is no longer conscious for a long time and may have no hope of being awake again. Active euthanasia may