Euthanasia Flashcards
Outline different types of euthanasia
Euthanasia means ‘a gentle & easy death’; it’s sometimes called ‘mercy killing’
‘Active euthanasia’ = when patient asks someone to help them die, e.g. overdose of morphine
‘Passive euthanasia’ = when person doesn’t directly take patient’s life; they’re allowed to die through withholding of treatment
‘Voluntary euthanasia’ = carried out at request of patient wishing to die
‘Non-voluntary euthanasia’ = when person is unconscious or unable to make decision, so it’s made for them
‘Involuntary euthanasia’ = person who dies wants to live but killed anyway. Usually same as murder
Why do some people think euthanasia should be allowed? (5)
Everyone has right to self autonomy & should be able to decide how & when they die (self-determination)
Euthanasia allows people to die with dignity
Patient who wants to die shouldn’t have to risk unsuccessful suicide attempt, but be able to die quickly & painlessly with medical assistance
Patient may be in great pain & have no quality of life/no possibility of recovery
Euthanasia can help shorten grief & suffering of patient’s loved ones
Explain how a hospice helps someone suffering from a terminal illness (5)
Aims to improve lives of people who have incurable illness
Provide care for people from diagnosis to death, however long
Aims to look after medical, emotional, social, practical, psychological & spiritual needs
Care extends to those close to patient as well as bereavement period after their death
Hospice can provide individual care more suited to person approaching death in a gentler, calmer atmosphere than hospital
Hospice may offer: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation, financial info & other practical issues
Do you think doctors should be allowed to help patients die? AGREE
Everyone has right to make decision about own death; they shouldn’t have to travel to clinic overseas, adds further stress to situation (self-determination)
Current laws in UK should be changed so that doctors can legally act on patient’s desire to end suffering
Euthanasia can quickly & humanely end patient’s suffering & can help shorten grief & suffering of loved ones; therefore helping patient die should be part of care of doctor
Arguments AGAUNST euthanasia
Christians believe only God has right to Eddie when life should end, so this would present dilemma for Christian doctors
Patient may not be able to make rational decision or change their mind, but be incapable of telling doctors. Old people may feel they’re nuisance to others & ask for assisted death when they want to live
Euthanasia devalues life by making it disposable - could be first step on slippery slope. Relationship of trust between doctors & patients could be destroyed; doctors should try to preserve life
What is pallative care?
Medical, emotional or spiritual care given to person who is terminally ill, with aim of reducing suffering rather than curing
What are living wills?
Document which sets out patient’s wishes regarding how they want to be treated if they become seriously ill.
It’s request to doctors in advance, no to give certain medical treatments
Give an example of a case study on euthanasia
Tony Nicklinson - suffered from locked in syndrome after stroke in 2005, life ‘living nightmare’
In week before death he lost lost high court case to allow his doctors to end his life
He then refused food until 22nd August 2012, when he died
What does the bible say about authanasia?
“So God created man in his own image” - if God creates life, then he should oversee death. If we’re created in God’s image, we should treat it with profound respect
“You shall not murder” - part of 10 commandments. Verse clearly states murder is wrong. For someone living with absolute morality this will be the case.
“Take heart daughter, your faith has healed you” - jesus is able to heal, therfore lot of people feel they should have hope in this.
“Jesus went through the towns… healing every disease & illness” - religious people believe in power of healing, therfore won’t accept euthanasia.
“Are not 5 sparrows sold for 2 pennies? Yet not one of them are forgotten by God. Indeed the very hairs on your head are numbered. Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than sparrows - God cares about value of all life. If sparrows aren’t forgotten by God, we aren’t.
“For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” - for religious people, death not something to fear - belief in heaven.
“We would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the lord” - Christians believe body is vessel, soul will live on. Death is not end, and shouldn’t be feared.
What does the roman catholic church think of abortion?
“No one in any way can permit the killing of an innocent human being, whether a foetus, embro, infant or adult”
“No one is permitting to ask for this act of killing either for himself or another person”
“It’s a question of the violation of the divine law… a crime agaist life”
“The pleas of gravely ill people are not to be understood as implying a true desire for euthanasia”
