Euthanasia Flashcards
Voluntary euthanasia
When a person asks a doctor to end their life as they do not wish to live anymore
Non-voluntary euthanasia
When the person is too ill to request to die, for example they are in a coma, but a doctor will end their life for them because it is thought to do so would be in their best interests
Active euthanasia
When active steps are taken to end someone’s life, for example by giving them a lethal injection
Passive euthanasia
When doctors stop providing treatment e.g. switching off life support, when a person is not resuscitated after a heart attack
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 and 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
- Some people may feel pressured to request euthanasia by family, friends or doctors, when it isn’t what they really want
- It would discourage the search for new cures and treatments for the terminally ill
- Some people unexpectedly recover
- Some people may change their mind about euthanasia and be unable to tel 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
Christians in support of euthanasia
- Some Christians would support euthanasia
- God is love. Christianity is love and compassion.
- Humans were given dominion over all living things by God (Genesis 1:28) therefore we can choose for ourselves
- Jesus came so that people could have life ‘in all its fullness’ (John 10:10) this means quality of life
- God gave humans free will. We should be allowed to use free will to decide when our lives end
- “Do to others as you would have them do to you”
- For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under seven: a time to be born, and a time to die (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)
Roman Catholic view on Euthanasia
- Totally against euthanasia. Any act which deliberately brings about death is the same as murder
- Does accept using pain killing drugs which are meant to relieve pain but may shorten someone’s life
- ‘Euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God’ Pope John Paul 11, 1995
Church of England view on Euthanasia
- Sanctity of life is very important, but doctors should not have to keep people alive for the sake of it, regardless of the quality of life
- Making the old and the ill feel wanted and valuable is more important
Baptist Church view on Euthanasia
- Generally against euthanasia. All human life is sacred and worth preserving
- Baptists agree that when a person is brain dead and experts agree there is no chance of recovery, then it is acceptable to stop treatment and allow the patient to die naturally
- Baptists do not agree with actions that make death come more quickly e.g. lethal dose of drugs
Methodist Church views on Euthanasia
- “We need to provide better care for the dying rather than kill them off early” Methodist Conference 1974
