Uruguay Approves Law to Legalize Euthanasia – Level 2

Uruguay has approved a law that decriminalizes euthanasia. This allows people with severe and painful medical conditions to ask for medical help to end their lives. The law allows this procedure for anyone with an incurable disease that causes unbearable suffering. A main condition is that the person must be mentally able to make the decision. Uruguay has a history of being a pioneer in progressive laws, like legalizing abortion and regulating marijuana. With this approval, Uruguay becomes the third country in Latin America, after Colombia and Ecuador, to allow euthanasia. However, it is the first in the region to make the procedure legal through legislation. In Colombia and Ecuador, euthanasia was allowed through court decisions, not a law passed by the government. This makes Uruguay’s approach an important step for the region.

New Words:

1. Procedure: An official or accepted way of doing something.
Example: The doctor explained the medical procedure to the patient.

2. Incurable: Not able to be cured or made better.
Example: He was diagnosed with an incurable illness and had only a few months to live.

3. Legislation: A law or a set of laws made by a government.
Example: The government is planning new legislation to protect the environment.