Nancy Harvey

People’s unwarranted fear of a painful death unnaturally prolonged by technology prompts them to support euthanasia for dying or permanently vegetative patients, Nancy Harvey maintains in the following viewpoint. However, she argues, withholding food and water causes a much worse death than the “technological bad death” that people fear. Nutrition and hydration should always be provided to the dying, she contends. Harvey teaches French and English at Cuba High School, in Cuba, Missouri.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. In Harvey’s opinion, what are some forms of everyday technology that many people could not live without"
2. According to the author, what are some “futile” treatments that are provided for the comfort of dying patients"
3. What does...