Euthanasia Flashcards
Euthanasia meaning in GREEK
good death
Palliative care
Palliative care is care given (to body, mind and soul) at the end of life; often at the time of terminal or degenerating (no cure) illness.
Examples of good palliative care
Excellent pain relief (under control).
Drug trial (not yet regulated).
Spiritual and emotion counselling - therapy.
Fulfill your last wish/bucket list - travel, extreme sport.
Alternate therapies - herbal medicines, reflexology, aromatherapy, acupuncture.
Why is palliative care not prioritised
Too much money to fund it - mercenary
Dying people aren’t a priority - money used on research + care of the young
How can faith play a part in the life of someone suffering great illness - reason 1
1) Brings ‘comfort’ - in relationship with deity/god(s) -> through act of prayer (liturgical - Lord’s Prayer or extemporaneous - spontaneous). -> through the reading of a sacred text (person has a special revelation).
How can faith play a part in the life of someone suffering great illness - reason 2
2) hope of a future/eternity in heaven (no pain or suffering). Eternal hope - reunions with relatives in the presence of god.
How can faith play a part in the life of someone suffering great illness - reason 3
3) in community (when you say OUR father) or fellowship with other people of faith - worshipping and praying together.
How can faith play a part in the life of someone suffering great illness - reason 4
4) believing / understanding God’s plan for humanity - with them in their suffering / grief.
Other terms for euthanasia
Assisted suicide
Mercy killing
Gentle, easy death
Voluntary euthanasia
Direct and deliberate - giving an overdose of painkillers or a lethal injection
Non-voluntary euthanasia
Person wants to live but a doctor or family member make the decision to end that persons life (murder?)
Involuntary euthanasia or passive euthanasia
Don’t directly take the persons life but simply allow the person to die a.k.a. passive euthanasia
Active euthanasia
Deliberately helping a person to die
Potential motives for people who would be willing to assist others in their death
To end suffering/great pain
relief/relief of suffering
compassion
3 areas of society where euthanasia is debated
Church
Medicine
Education
Two examples of passive euthanasia
Medication withheld
Turn off machine (step back)
Which Bible reference could be used to emphasise Christian teaching that all life is sacred 
Genesis 1:27 - man is made in the image of god
Imago dei
Latin - image of God
Dignitas
Swiss - dignity or dying (offer euthanasia
Example of voluntary euthanasia
Giving someone a lethal overdose of medication because they have a terminal illness, and they wish to end their life prematurely to avoid unnecessary suffering
2 Examples of involuntary euthanasia
- A doctor in a hospice decides to withhold medical treatment to advance the death of a terminally ill patient. The patient is experiencing immense suffering but they have not requested assistance of this kind.
- Removing a feeding tube from a patient who can breathe independently, but he must be fed artificially because they are in a vegetative state
Example of nonvoluntary euthanasia
A mother gives her brain damaged son a lethal injection of heroin to end his life as she felt that she was putting him out of his misery
Term to describe ‘end of life care’
Palliative Care
One alternative to Euthanasia
GOOD Palliative Care
What should end of life care cater for
Physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient
Charities that defend Euthanasia
‘Dignitas’ or ‘Dignity in Dying’
European country that supports/offers euthanasia
Switzerland
4 examples of excellent end of life care
Fulfil wish (make a wish)
Hospital bed in house (comfort for patient)
Outstanding pain relief
Therapy
