End of life Flashcards
What is assisted dying?
Assisted dying is when someone is helped in their request to end their own life. During assisted dying a patient is provided with a lethal dose of medication usually from a doctor but the patient must take the last action of drinking or pushing a button to inject it intravenously.
What is the law on assisted dying in Scotland currently?
Currently in Scotland assisted dying is illegal however, a bill introduced by Liam McArthur being looked over in holyrood to decide if assisted dying should be introduced for the terminally ill.
What is the law on assisted dying in the rest of the uk?
The terminally ill adults (end of life) bill is being looked over in Westminster and is currently in the report stage. This bill would allow terminally ill adults who are competent enough to make the decision to end their life.
What are people’s concerns over assisted dying?
-people are worried it could lead to a slippery slope. These individuals worry that although it may only start with terminally ill people being able to receive assisted dying it may develop into mentally ill people also being able to receive it.
-others worry that the legislation questions the value of life and puts vulnerable people such as disabled people at risk.
-people concerned it could lead to people being coerced into asking to die even if they don’t actually want to.
-It could put doctors and health professionals in a difficult position as they are seen as life savours but the legalisation of assisted dying would lead to doctors having to end life.
Why do people want assisted dying to be legalised?
-people are concerned that the end of life care available in the uk is not enough as some people don’t get access to it. People also worry that even with care and medical assistance their will still be suffering for the dying individual and so by having assisted dying the individual could avoid this suffering.
-Some people think it gives the dying individual control over their own death as they will be able to choose how and when they die.
-People argue it could prevent terminally ill people committing suicide and so offers a kind and caring way for a person to die.
Moral issues for assisted dying?
- Should we have the right to die?
- Should assisted dying be legalised when there is advanced end of life care available?
- Should mentally ill people be able to receive and assisted death?
-Should assisted dying be legalised or does it put pressure on vulnerable people in society?
-Should assisted dying be legalised if it could lead to distrust between doctors and patients?
Quote from Bishops conference of Scotland in response to assisted suicide (Scotland) bill (2013)
“We believe human life must be fully protected by law at every stage. It is not appropriate for any person to make judgments about the “quality” of another’s life as this bill would require… (the bill) contradicts claims that there is no danger of a “slippery slope” and the consequent threat to human life.”
Where was “We believe human life must be fully protected by law at every stage.”
The Bishops conference of Scotland in response to Assisted suicide (Scotland) bill (2013).
What is humanist society Scotland’s stance on assisted dying?
In the humanism.scot website it says that they are currently supporting the Assited dying for terminally ill adults (Scotland) bill. They also work with Dignity in Dying Scotland to campaign for the assisted dying for terminally ill adults bill to be passed.
Church of Scotland response to the Assisted dying for terminally ill adults (Scotland) bill.
“The Church supports the existing law and protections around the end of life, and is opposed to a change to allow legally assisted suicide, or any other form of assisted dying.” – ChurchofScotland.org.uk
What is voluntary euthanasia?
It is the act of intentionally ending a persons life, with the persons full consent, in order to relive the persons suffering. This is usually done by a doctor.
What is active voluntary euthanasia?
This is when a health professional or other person deliberately end the life of another by carrying out an action that causes their death. This must still be done with the intention to relieve suffering to differentiate it from murder.
What is an example of active voluntary euthanasia?
- A doctor giving a patient who is fully consenting a lethal injection in order to end their life and relieve their suffering.
-An elderly individual smothering their partner who has asked for help in ending their life
What is passive voluntary euthanasia
This is when a patient who has a terminal illness or is being kept alive using drugs or life support requests for their treatment to be withdrawn which allows them to die naturally. The patient must be conscious and able to consent for this to be voluntary.
What is an example of passive voluntary euthanasia?
- a Doctor withdrawing life saving medication as of the request from the patient
What is non-voluntary euthanasia?
It is the act of ending the life of a person without their explicit consent, usually because the patient is unable to due to their young age or being in a coma. However the act is still done with the intention of receiving suffering.
What is active non-voluntary euthanasia?
This is when the active measures are taken to end a persons life in order to relive their suffering but explicit consent has not been given to do so.
What is an example of active non-voluntary euthanasia?
- a doctor switching of the life support of a patient who is unable to consent due to being in a coma. This could be done as it is determined that the patient will not be able to survive without life support and so it is decided to be more beneficial to let the patient die rather than prolong suffering.
What is an example of passive non-voluntary euthanasia?
