Research Paper Intro

In 2005, a local court ruled in favor the removal of Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube; leading to her death thirteen days later. Autopsy determined dehydration as the cause of death. The ruling also prohibited Terri’s parents from providing comfort measures such as oral care in the final days of Terri’s life. Doctor Kevorkian inspired euthanasia to relieve suffering of the terminally-ill; however, ethical dilemmas arise as the requests for euthanasia increase. Active euthanasia holds no place in medicine, while passive euthanasia may be beneficial; examples of Terri Schiavo, Karen Quinlan and Doctor Kevorkian set standards for the use of euthanasia.