End of Life - Medical Ethics Flashcards
What is assisted dying?
Assisted dying is when someone requests help to end their life, but the individual themselves performs the act with assistance.
Is assisted dying legal in the UK?
No, it is currently illegal in the UK, although a proposed bill by Liam McArthur aims to legalise it in Scotland.
What concern does Nicola Sturgeon have about the proposed assisted dying bill?
She opposes the bill, describing it as the “thin edge of the wedge,” which could fail to protect vulnerable individuals in society.
How might societal pressures affect assisted dying requests?
Doctors could be motivated by budget cuts and a shortage of beds due to the current state of the NHS. As currently in the NHS it can takes weeks, or sometimes even months to get treatments, which could essentially motivate doctors to subtly suggest assisted dying so that care can go to someone else who needs it.
how can we be sure that their request is voluntary and not influenced by other factors such as pressure from family or doctors an example of this would be, family members trying to safeguard their inheritance
What is a key Islamic perspective on assisted dying?
As family is a key principle in Islam, and If a person has a terminal illness, then it’s a Muslims duty to take care of them, so that they never feel burdened or feel like they are causing harm or suffering to their family by being alive
How does personal autonomy relate to assisted dying?
Some people would argue that we have the right to request assisted dying due to personal autonomy, as we have the right to make choices about our own bodies as long, we make an informed choice. For example, a person who has a terminal illness who doesn’t have long left to live might request assisted dying as they believe that is their personal choice to choose when they want to die because they believe their life has no quality left.
What does the Bible say about assisted dying in Exodus 20?
“You shall not kill,” one of the Ten Commandments, suggests that assisted dying violates the principle of caring for God’s creation.
How does the Christian teaching “Love thy neighbour” relate to assisted dying?
Christians believe in caring for and loving others, which implies there should never be a need for someone to request assisted dying.
What is the Islamic perspective on protecting vulnerable individuals?
Being kind and compassionate is a key value in Islam as it increases a person’s good deeds. Moreover, the prophet Muhammad said, “he is not one of us who has no compassion for our little ones and doesn’t honour our old ones.” This implies that in Islam all Muslims should be compassionate towards one another, and no young or old person should feel lie, they are a burden to their family.
What is the Church of Scotland’s stance on assisted dying?
The Church of Scotland as they believe that life is sacred and holy as it is from God, and that everyone is created in Gods image. Additionally, the Church of Scotland oppose Liam McArthurs bill to legalise assisted dying in Scotland. The Church of Scotland states that “the Christian recognises no right to dispose of his own life”. This implies that Christian’s believe that humans themselves have no right to die, as only God can take away life.
Why is assisted dying considered haram in Islam?
In Islam Muslims believe that life is a gift from God, and only God can take away one’s life, this is why suicide and assisted dying is haram (forbidden) in Islam and is a major sin. This is shown by the fact that Prophet Muhammad said “in the time before you, a man was wounded, his wounds troubled him so much that he took a knife and cut his wrist to bleed himself to death. Thereupon Allah said, “My slave hurried in the matter of his life therefore he is deprived of the Garden”. This implies that In Islam Muslims don’t have the right to take their own life, as all life belongs to Allah and in doing so, they would be deprived of going to Al-Jannah (paradise).
What is euthanasia?
Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending a person’s life, to relive suffering. For example, a doctor who gives a patient with terminal cancer an overdose of muscle relaxants to end their life would be considered to have carried out euthanasia.
What is voluntary euthanasia?
Voluntary euthanasia is used in cases where the sufferer has made it clear that they wish to die and have requested help to bring this about
What is non-voluntary euthanasia?
Non voluntary euthanasia occurs in cases where patients are unable to consent or express a wish to die such a patient in comas/ on life support or infants.
What is end-of-life care?
It includes medical or social care provided to support individuals with terminal illnesses or those in the last stages of life.
