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Changing Attitudes Toward Euthanasia, Alice V. Mehling
Changing Attitudes Toward Euthanasia, Alice V. Mehling
IUSTITIA
Death is a very individual matter which does not readily lend itself to collective decision. Medical ethicists frequently conclude that to allow a person to die from malice is more reprehensible than to help a person to die from mercy. The most striking change which is taking place in consideration of the problem is recognition of the need to reinforce the patient's right to decide on the course of medical treatment.
A New York Times editorial of February 3, 1903 condemned the practice of active euthanasia by comparing it to "practices of savages in all parts of the world". Seventy …