Abortion And Euthansia Flashcards
Definition of abortion and reasons for it?
The termination of a pregnancy resulting in no living birth
Can’t afford pregnancy, pregnant as result of assault, risk to mothers life, fatal foetal abnormality
Alternates for abortion
Short term/long term fostering
Adoption
Keep with support from family members
Definition of Euthanasia
deliberate ending of a person’s life for compassionate reasons because they are suffering
What are the alternatives to euthanasia?
Hospice - this is where specialist medical staff look after the terminally ill. Palliative drugs are used to help ensure that the person does not suffer any more pain than is absolutely necessary.
Refusing treatment - in the UK all adults have the right to refuse treatment. However, they must have the capacity to understand the situation they are in and to make an informed decision.
Arguments for Euthanasia
Human beings should have the right to be able to decide when and how they die (self-determination).
Euthanasia enables a person to die with dignity and in control of their situation.
It is expensive to keep people alive when there is no cure for their illness. Euthanasia would release precious resources to treat people who could live.
Family and friends would be spared the pain of seeing their loved one suffer a long-drawn-out death.
Society permits animals to be put down as an act of kindness when they are suffering, the same treatment should be available to humans.
Arguments against Euthanasia
Euthanasia would weaken society’s respect for the value and importance of human life.
Proper palliative care is available which reduces or removes the need for people to be in pain.
It would put too much power in the hands of doctors, and damage the trust between patient and doctor.
It would undermine the commitment of doctors and nurses to save lives.
Some people unexpectedly recover.
Some people may change their mind about euthanasia and be unable to tell anyone.
Voluntary euthanasia could be the first step on a slippery slope that leads to involuntary euthanasia, where those who are undesirable or seen as a problem could be killed.
Different types of euthanasia
Active euthanasia - something is done to a person to make them die more quickly, eg giving drugs with the intention of bringing about death.
Passive euthanasia - any form of treatment that might extend a person’s life is withdrawn, eg a life support machine is turned off or a feeding tube is removed. This is legally allowed in the UK, and so would not be called euthanasia.
Voluntary euthanasia - a person asks for their own life to be ended.
Non-voluntary euthanasia - a person cannot make a decision about euthanasia or cannot make their wishes known, and so someone else (eg a doctor or a family member) decides that it would be in the person’s best interest if their life was ended. For example, if the person is in a coma.
Involuntary euthanasia - a person wants to live, but someone else (eg a doctor or a family member) decides that it would be in the person’s best interest if their life was ended. For example, if a person has had an accident that will lead to imminent and painful death a decision might be made to end their life even if the person wanted to live.
Assisted suicide - deliberately assisting or encouraging another person to end their own life.
