The word “Euthanasia” comes from the Greek language and translated means “good death”. Today it is the act of ending the life of another person at their request, to minimize their suffering. There is much debate about whether this practice should be legal and about the moral implications behind this choice. If you have the right to live, should you also have the right to choose how to die? Support for euthanasia dates back to the 16th century in Greek and Roman culture. Today, only 42% of Americans favor euthanasia and 22% are unsure (Ertelt, 2010). In the 1970s, a movement known as the “Right to Die” movement began moving toward legalizing euthanasia (Yount, 12). Legally assisted suicide is currently only allowed in four US states and is against the law otherwise. Medically assisted suicide, or euthanasia, should be a right for terminally ill patients as it guarantees freedom of choice, is a humane way to allow terminally ill patients to die without immense pain and suffering, and will reduce the financial burden on families. and the healthcare system. Supporters of the “Right to Die” movement believe that patients should have the freedom of choice to decide their own course of treatment and the ability to choose when to end their life. For terminally ill patients, where death is inevitable and would be less painful than living, euthanasia should be an available treatment option. Patients facing a long battle with a terminal illness should be given the choice to end their lives if they wish. Many supporters of euthanasia dispute that patients have a legal right to die. Since a patient can refuse medical treatment that could result in his death, why then can't he choose to... half of article......ve.lifenews.com/bio3051.htmlHartocollis, A. (2009 , December 26). Months to Live - Difficult Choice for a Comfortable Death - Sedation - Series - NYTimes.com. Retrieved May 17, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/health/27sedation.html?pagewanted=allNew York State Department of Health (1994). Chapter 6 – Development of public policies on assisted suicide and euthanasia. Retrieved from http://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/task_force/reports_publications/when_death_is_sought/chap6.htmPasternak, S. (2013, June 3). The third track of US health policy: | Medicare News Group. Retrieved May 15, 2014, from http://www.medicarenewsgroup.com/context/understanding-medicare-blog/understanding-medicare-blog/2013/06/03/end-of-life-care-constitutes-third-rail - of-us-debate-on-health-policyYount, L. (2000). Doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia. New York: Facts on File.