IntroductionToday, medical interventions have made it possible to save or prolong lives, but should we leave the process of death to nature? (Brogden, 2001). Expressions such as “killing is always considered murder” and “as long as there is life, so is hope” are not enough to contradict the current medical knowledge of the Canadian health system, which knows how to give patients injured people a chance to recover. live, which would not have been possible in the past (Brogden, 2001). According to Brogden, a number of economic and ethical questions arise due to the increase in the elderly population. This is why Canadian society should strive to make a decision about what is right and ethical when it comes to facing death. Uhlmann (1998) mentions that individuals' attitudes towards euthanasia differ. From a utilitarian perspective – considering that an action is judged as right or wrong in relation to the consequence, result, or end result that results from it, and that people choose actions that, under given circumstances, will increase the global good (Lum, 2010) - euthanasia could become a means of controlling health care costs and also, with specific guarantees and in certain circumstances, the taking of a human life is merciful and we all have the right to end our lives whenever we want. .What is euthanasia?Euthanasia is one of the newest and most controversial debates today (Brogden, 2001). According to the Canadian Medical Association, euthanasia refers to the process of deliberately and intentionally performing an act that is openly anticipated to end the person's life (CMA, 1998). There are two types of euthanasia: involuntary and voluntary euthanasia. Involuntary euthanasia is when the decision of the...... middle of paper ...... Association. 1998. “Euthanasia and assisted suicide.” Board of Directors of the Canadian Medical Association. Retrieved from http://www.cma.ca/index.php/ci_id/3214/la_id/1.htm on October 16, 2010. Cicirelli, VG (1998). Views of older people regarding end-of-life decisions. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 17(2), 186-203. “Clinic wins contract to treat Canadian patients. » 2000. Associated Press. Postrel, D. 1994. “The State could cover assisted suicide. » Statesman-Journal.Ramabele, T. 2004. “Attitudes of older people towards euthanasia: a cross-cultural study”. University of the Free State. Uhlmann, M. 1998. Last rights: debate on assisted suicide and euthanasia. New York: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. Ward, P.R. 1997. “Health Care Rationing: Can We Afford to Ignore Euthanasia?” Research in health services management: 10 (32-41)