euthanasia， a quiet and easy death， or “mercy killing” as we call it recently has made the headlines frequently. many people applaud it and argue that euthanasia should be legalized.　as is pointed out， to practise euthanasia can benefit both the patient and his family. to a terminally ill person who is suffering excruciating pains day and night or living “like a vegetable”， to be allowed to end his life painlessly is a good release. to his family it is also a big relief considering the financial and emotional drain on them that having to sustain his life entails. however， the legalization of euthanasia may also bring with it problems our society has not previously faced. is it humane， for example， that a terminally ill patient is thus caused to feel guilty for remaining alive because he does not want to die？ is it wise that a patient is killed alive simply because of a mistaken terminal diagnosis？ and is it possible that euthanasia could be taken advantage of for some ulterior or even criminal purposes？

　　since the legalization of euthanasia will raise serious moral and social issues， the decision our society makes about euthanasia will undoubtedly have tremendous consequences in society.