Euthanasia

Found this interesting article on News24 on Euthanasia, written by Isla Rechner.
I've taken liberties in copying some of the article.
The controversial topic of euthanasia has invoked strong feelings from approving and disapproving parties for years, even centuries. The question is that of its true justification or of its dismissals as an ethical practice.
Euthanasia comes from the Greek words eu and thatos, which roughly translate into English as "good death". It is the practice of ending the life of a terminally ill patient in a minimally painful way, as opposed to the incurable illness ending the patient's life in an agonising way.
There are three classifications of euthanasia. Passive euthanasia is withholding treatment from a patient knowing that it will most likely result in the death of the patient.
Non-aggressive euthanasia is performed by the removal of the patient's life support.
Aggressive euthanasia, by far the most controversial, is the purposive act of administering a lethal substance resulting in the forced death of a patient.
People have various reasons for approving of euthanasia. These include considering the quality of life of the patient and if it warrants continuation of living, as well as the free will of the patient on whether to decide to continue living in their condition, or to end their life on their terms.
The argument against euthanasia considers the factors that it is immoral and a form of suicide in most belief systems. It is also disputed that euthanasia can only be voluntary if the patient is mentally competent enough to make that decision.
This debate was highlighted by the case of Terry Schiavo of Florida, America. She was a relatively healthy woman before 1990, when she collapsed and suffered from cardiac and respiratory arrest. The lack of oxygen while she was being resuscitated lead her to being brain damaged and dependent on a feeding tube.
A complex issue
After years of attempted rehabilitation with no success, her husband decided that it would be in the best interest of his wife to remove her life support, a view vehemently opposed by her parents. The matter went to the courts, resulting in many years of petitions and appeals filed by the husband and the parents.
It was in these courts that it was realised that Terry Schiavo would not have wished to remain in her condition with no hope of recovery. On the 18th of March 2005, her feeding tube was removed. She died on the 31st of March 2005.
Euthanasia is a complex issue riddled with aspects specific to an individual's belief system and moral ethics. One needs to explore all avenues of this matter before casting judgement on it.
It should also be ensured that their wishes are heard and understood before they are not mentally competent enough to make the decision themselves. You never know if your life will be another person's decision.

This topic brought back painful memories for me. My late father had terminal cancer. He refused chemotherapy and invasive surgery. Chemo is painful and dibilitating. Same for surgery. He would get no benefit, only pain. He also signed a DNR (Do Not Resusitate). We watched him wither away physically for 8 long months. He was mentally alert all this time - even did the crossword puzzle on the day he died.
What pains me is that Dad begged to be euthanased. He was given morphine to dull the pain but not enough to end it. We contrived all sorts of schemes but I could not do it. Not because I didn't want to but because it is illegal. We were bound by the collective morality and laws of others. His dignity was hijacked. Would you want to wear a nappy and be force fed through a feeding tube?
Nothing was gained from his suffering.

I'd like to know what your opinion on this is.