Euthanasia has been around in some form for centuries (Yount 71). The Greek phrase eu thantatos means "well death" or dying without pain, but a more elaborate definition would be the practice of mercifully ending a person's life in order to free him or her from a disease that has no cure, unbearable suffering, or shameful death (Gay 17). There are many different types of euthanasia: active, passive, voluntary, and involuntary (Gay 17-18). For example, in the ancient Greek city of Sparta newborns with severe birth defects were put to death (Yount 72). In several ancient societies voluntary euthanasia for the elderly was an approved custom (Yount 72). As society became more philanthropically towards life and all living things, the subject "of human rights and humanitarianism" became a topic of concern. What is the ultimate authority on the Right of a person to choose his/her own death? Is it cruel to...