Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the deliberate act of ending someone's life to relieve them of suffering or pain.

Assisted suicide

Public opinion

Christian teaching

There are 2 types

Passive/Active

(In)voluntary

When a person requests that their life be ended, perhaps because they have terminal illness that is causing them a lot of pain

(in) When a person is unable to equators that their life be ended, maybe because they are in a coma so a doctor or relative makes the decision

(passive) Withholding treatment that, if administered, would keep the person alive

(active) deliberately ending a persons life, for example, with lethal drug. Active euthanasia is regarded as either murder or manslaughter under British law.

This is when a terminally ill person asks someone to help them end their life

It is illegal under the Suicide Act 1961 but it is not illegal for the person to take tier own life (suicide)

A patient has the right to refuse medical treatment even if that treatment was to save their life

The general public favour euthanasia

a poll was conducted in Jan 2013 revealed that 70% of people supported yet a vote among MP's in the House of Commons in September 2015 saw a proposal to legalise assisted suicide defeated, by 330 voted to 118

In a survey of Anglican clergy conducted in September 2014, 70% believe that the law in relation to assisted suicide should not be changed

Most believe that euthanasia is wrong as-

Life is precious; it is sacred because it was created by God- Sanctity of Life

Euthanasia is deliberate killing

Christians have a duty of care for those who are suffering

The Catholic Church

The R.C.C teaches that deliberately killing as 'innocent' human being is always morally unacceptable.

For them, life as a gift from God has unqualified value

Life is hence always preferable to death and does not depend for its value on quantities of well-being or pleasure

Assisted suicide is also rejected, since it too is the deliberate killing of God-given life

The C of E

the church of England recognises the importance of 'personal autonomy' or the right to make independent decisions about one'sown life

To end a life implies that it no longer has meaning and this goes against the christian principle of sanctity of life

However, it recognises that this puts an unwelcome burden on another party to carry out euthanasia

Quakers Beliefs

They are not united to the subject of euthanasia

Some believe that people who are suffering should be allowed to die if they want to

Others believe tat people should care for one another and hence reject euthanasia

Some quakers work in hospice, helping patients to receive the necessary pain relief to die naturally, but with dignity

In general, the quakers believe that love and support should be made available to people who feel that suicide is their only option

Non religious ideas

A doctors duty is to preserve life, not end it

Medical advancements mean that pain control is very effective and cures for illnesses are more likely

Murder is committed through anger and hatred, whereas euthanasia is performed out of love and compassion

It is possible to put controls in place to ensure that the patient really wants their life to end

Liberty and autonomy dictate that individuals are given the right to their own life

Economically euthanasia prevents individuals without hope of recovery or in a coma to drain scarce resources

Some patients may agree to euthanasia so as to not be a burden on relatives- pressure to make a decision

In some rare cases, a relative may persuade an older member of the family who has an illness for example cancer into euthanasia to gain their inheritance.

Euthanasia is Greek for good or easy death

Hippocratic oath

Cicely Saunders- She started the hospice movement

'Care not Killing'

Palliative Care

Autonomy- Your body, your choice whether or not you want to die.

Murder is done through hatred and anger, euthanasia is performed from love and compassion

there are controls that can be put in place to ensure the patient is sure they want their life to end

economically euthanasia prevents individuals without hope of recovery or in a coma to drain scarce resources