[Les Allen]

The act of taking the life of another human, whether it be in the name of self-defense, war, pity, or anger, is quite psychologically damaging. One need only see the lives lead by returning soldiers as evidence of this. Many veterans never return to a state of 'normalcy'. Due to the psychological damage that murdering causes within the murderer, engaging in a mercy killing for a loved one is truly an act of utter sacrifice. The loved one's pain is over after the death. However, the person courageous enough to mercy kill will live and struggle with accepting their act, presumably forever. Mercy killing is 1 of the most loving things you could do for someone in terminal pain, especially considering the mental anguish and legal repercussions of agreeing to such an act.