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