Which of the following is illegal in most states?

Euthanasia is often considered illegal in most states due to a combination of legal and ethical concerns surrounding the intentional ending of a person's life to relieve suffering. This practice raises significant moral questions and is viewed differently across various cultures and belief systems. In many jurisdictions, active euthanasia, which involves taking direct steps to cause a patient’s death, is prohibited under criminal law. Passive euthanasia, which may involve withholding treatments that prolong life, can sometimes be legally acceptable under certain circumstances, but active measures to end life are generally not permitted.

In contrast, abortion, healthcare proxies, and inquests are treated differently under the law. Abortion, while heavily regulated and subject to various laws, is legal in many areas, depending on the gestational period and state-specific legislation. Healthcare proxies, which allow individuals to designate others to make healthcare decisions on their behalf when they are unable, are recognized and permitted in most states as a way to honor patient autonomy. Inquests are legal processes that investigate deaths, especially those that are sudden or unexplained, and do not carry the same legal implications as euthanasia. Therefore, the distinction of legality makes euthanasia uniquely problematic in a legal context compared to the other options listed.