In this essay, I will analyze the morality of voluntary active euthanasia (VAE). I will focus on the argument that if such an act is considered morally acceptable, it can only lead down a slippery slope on which society becomes grossly unrecognizable in terms of the value of life. This essay will examine the strengths and weaknesses of this argument as well as the moral principles behind it to determine whether or not it remains a compelling argument for VAE. First, I need to check what distinguishes VAE from other forms of euthanasia and introduce the argument there. . The cause of VAE usually comes from a terminally ill patient considered to be of sound mind and wishing to end their suffering. Doctors, or others close to the patient, perform the act in direct response to the patient's request. It differs from passive forms because it is usually done by lethal injection or other means independent of the cause of a person's terminal condition. The slippery slope argument proposes the idea that once VAE is considered moral, it can lead to the murder of not only those who give consent, but also those who do not give it. This suggests that the sanctity of life is no longer respected by society as a result. Societal views against killing are often weakened, after which it is justified like euthanasia, as it seems to be a different issue compared to other forms such as murder. Yet opponents of euthanasia still maintain that murder remains the deliberate ending of a life. VAE is not considered any different, even if the patient is terminally ill and will almost surely die anyway; many believe that miracle cures are still possible. As soon as life is over, this possibility is removed and all remains optimism and hop...... middle of paper ......life will end up being devalued because VAE takes society down a slope slippery. I therefore believe that the validity of the slippery slope argument is confirmed in the sense that sufficient evidence is lacking to allow active voluntary euthanasia to escape it. Works Cited Beauchamp, T. 1999, “The Beginning and End of Life” in Contemporary Issues in Bioethics, eds Walters, L. & Beauchamp, T., Wadsworth, Belmont CA, pp. 94-98. Berk, LE 1998, “Death, Dying and Bereavement” in Development Through the Lifespan, 3rd ed., Pearson Education Inc., Boston, MA, pp. 636 and 637. Gay-Williams, J. 1992, “The Wrongfulness of Euthanasia” in Intervention and Reflection: Basic Issues in Medical Ethics, ed Munson, R., Wadsworth, Belmont, CA. United Nations 2014, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Available from:. [April 2014]