Page 24 - PowerE-L04-F

Lesson 6

Euthanasia

The word euthanasia comes from
the combination of two Greek words –
eu meaning well or good and thanatos
which means death. This term refers
to the painless manner of ending a life.
Some may refer to this as mercy killing.

In the 19th century, the arguments and
debates about euthanasia started to
emerge. At first, they made a law against
it but in the latter part, after the civil war, voluntary euthanasia was advocated
by some leading public figures like Clarence Darrow and Jack London,
including some doctors. There are different classifications of euthanasia.
First is euthanasia by consent and the other one is euthanasia by means.
Although there are still a lot of people and countries that disagree with
euthanasia, and even though up until now it is still controversial, there are

some countries in which they practice euthanasia legally like in Belgium,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland, Thailand and the U.S. states of
Oregon and Washington

Comprehension

1. Where does the word euthanasia comes from?

2. Are you in favor of Euthanasia?

3. What are the countries which practice Euthanasia?

4. What are the different classifications of euthanasia?

Questions

1. Are you in favor of euthanasia?

2. Is euthanasia being practiced in your country?
3. What is your view regarding mercy killing?

4. Do you think it is right to be practiced by doctors?

Vocabulary & Expressions

arguments - discussion with two different views or points
emerge - to come up, to rise from a certain point.
advocate - to support or to speak in behalf of someone.
voluntary - a certain thing is done with ones free will and choice
passive - not active, not involving to a particular thing or not participating readily
controversial - subject to arguments

22