% of those who committed suicide were mentally ill. They attempt suicide for reasons other than to relieve themselves of pain. Attempts are usually a cry for help, not because they feel death would be better. Suicidal people should be helped with their problems, not helped to die (www.pregnantpause.org/euth/why.htm).The Hippocratic Oath: “...I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion... for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further, from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves... should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot.” (www.euhanasia.org/hipp.html)There is usually no sexism involved in euthanasia that I am aware of. "Jewish ethics values healing and the preservation of life as important goods and as activities mandated by God" – Rabbi Mackler. Contributing to a patient's death, ending life, is a "violation of traditional Jewish norm...life is appreciated as a blessing and a gift from God. Each human being is esteemed as created in God's image...Judaism respects our bodies and lives as God's creation...seek beneficial medical treatment...respect for the life given by God, it rejects homicide, suicide, and assisted suicide." – Rabbi Mackler (www.sfhs.edu/critint/v5_n2/mackler.htm).Some terminology and phraseology is used when describing euthanasia to emphasize its meaning. There are no metaphors used, to hide the nature of the violence or in any other way. Terminal illness is a process lasting some period of time. Mercy killing is used sometimes instead of euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia is a request of an informed and competent patient; "a deliberate termination of an individual's life at the individual's request, by another. Or in medical practice. the active and deliberate te...
