eu·tha·na·sia (yth-nzh, -zh-)n.

eu·tha·na·sia ( P ) Pronunciation Key (yth-nzh, -zh-)n.
The act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment.

in the past two weeks and still on-going, the terri schiavo case has been in the headline of all possible media, nationally and internationally. in brief, terri schiavo was brain damaged and became persistantly vegetative from a cardiac arrest in 1990 and has been relying on a feeding tube to maintain her life for the past 15 years. the recent stir was over whether to reinsert her feeding tube which was removed on march 18, 2005 under the U.S. surpreme cournt order. the case was brought to court again and again due to the dispute between terri's husband and her family where the husband claimed that terri wished to discontinue life-prolonging support(which court ruling was in favor of for terri's medical condition) while the family wanted to keep her "alive".

provided with the primary information that terri's condition (irreversible brain damage) is no where near to be treated to regain normal functions, i am in favor of letting her go. 15 years surviving on a feeding tube but living a vegetative life, i believe that is enough torture to a woman. living doesn't require a person to be perfect, but living deserves dignity and hope which i believe were long gone from terri. hope may have been there for her loved ones who wished that miracle would happen, that medicine has new breakthrough to revive a vegetative person. reasonable it is to hope for cure, to make sure not to rush to end a life; but selfish it is to lengthen someone else's suffering for one's own comfort. i believe and hope, if terri can be released from her body and go whereever she should be; she can be in peace and that would lessen the suffering of her care-takers and lovd ones. along with her bygone, she could rest in peace, in comfort. and in her loved ones, she lives in their memories happily. that is healthier for all!

i didn't mean to be political here but i put this on because i want to respond to my friend, whose grandfather is terminally ill and her family is facing whether to give permission to euthanasia. while i believe no one has the right to take others life, neither of their own life, in dilemma like this kind, i opt for the ending of one's life to save further pain, suffering and deterioration of one's spiritual dignity that comes with life. in this regard, i hope that my friend would understand it is done for the better for her grandfather if euthanasia were to take place. please remember the deceased in your memories, where they could live happily and with dignity.

i can't believe how i would be acting if i had to make such decision. but when the important details against keeping a life are clear and that there is suffering involved, with a clear mind, this is my take on euthanasia.