17．Voluntary Euthanasia
For ：
1． it is a basic right-the right to die
2． the Greek origin of the word euthanasia means "good death "
3． it allows one to die with dignity
4． it allows one to choose the time and place of death
5． it is logical and humane
6． it can be regulated with safeguards (e.g., the person must be rationally lucid)
7． it is painless
8． it is the solution to a terminal illness with suffering
9． the dying want it
10．some doctors will assist the patient to end his life
11．it recognizes death as a natural, biological process
12．doctor-assisted suicide is legal in Holland, under certain guidelines
Against ：
1． it is murder or suicide
2． it is illegal in most countries
3． most doctors oppose it
4． it is a first step to killing the old and infirm
5． it is irreversible in the event of a new cure
6． only God can end a life
7． most religions oppose it
8． suicide is always irrational
9． the dying are too sick to know what they want
10．the dying should look to hospices that dispense painkillers
11．it can be abused by greedy persons seeking an inheritance
18．Capital Punishment
For：
1． it frightens would-be criminals (acts as a deterrent )
2． it serves as a just reward for killers
3． it lowers crime rates
4． it is more economical than a life sentence (saves the state money)
5． in rare cases it may lead to the death of an innocent person, but this cannot be helped
6． most countries practice it
7． killers should not be allowed to become hero-figures
8． a life sentence is never for life but for only a few years
9． killers are heartless and cruel and should not be protected by sociologists
Against ：
1． it frightens no one
2． it is motivated by revenge and not justice
3． it does not lower crime rates
4． it can lead to the death of an innocent person (a mistake)
5． it is a barbaric practice (hanging, electric chairs, gas chambers)
6． it is unjust because only God can take away life
7． the real solution to crime is the elimination of social injustices and rehabilitation
8． killers are often mentally ill and in need of medical treatment
9． the death penalty is being abandoned by many countries
