Euthanasia

Question 1

Outline three different types of euthanasia. (3)

Answer 1

• One type is assisted suicide (providing a seriously ill person with the means to kill themselves).
• A second type is voluntary euthanasia (ending someone’s life when they ask for it).
• A third type is non-voluntary euthanasia (ending someone’s life when they are unable to ask but you have a good reason for doing so).

Question 2

Explain two British laws towards euthanasia. (4)

Answer 2

• One law is that all forms of euthanasia is illegal. This means it can lead to a charge of murder.
• A second law is that switching off the life-support machine is not classed as murder. This is called passive euthanasia.

Question 3

SOWAA supporting euthanasia.

Answer 3

‘The use of painkillers to alleviate the suffering of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be morally in conformity with human dignity.’

Question 4

Explain two attitudes against euthanasia. (5)

Answer 4

• One attitude is that they believe that life is created by God so it is sacred. This means that it is up to God when humans die, not people.
• A second attitude is that euthanasia is classed as murder. This means that it is a sin since murder is forbidden in the ten commandments. This is supported by ‘you shall not kill’

Question 5

Explain two alternatives to euthanasia. (4)

Answer 5

• One attitude is that painkillers may be given to a dying person in great pain. This is important because even though it may shorten their life, it removes their pain which was their intention thus it is not euthanasia.
• A second attitude is that if a doctor can confirm brain death, it means that the patient is already dead. This means that switching off the machine is what God intended thus it is not euthanasia.

Question 6

What is the doctrine of double effect?

Answer 6

Painkillers may be given to a dying person in great pain. This might shorten the person’s life but the painkillers are given to remove the pain, and that is the intention; hastening the person’s death is an unintended effect, and so giving the painkillers is not euthanasia.

Question 7

Explain two reasons why there is a limited use of euthanasia. (4)

Answer 7

• One reason is because modern medical science means that we can no longer be sure what God’s wishes about someone’s death actually are. This means that euthanasia could possibly be a sin.
• A second reason is because Jesus taught people to ‘love your neighbour.’ This means that euthanasia could be the most loving thing a person could do.

Question 8

Explain two non-religious attitudes against euthanasia. (4)

Answer 8

• One attitude is that people might change their minds about wanting euthanasia. This is important because it’ll be too late and they will already be dead.
• A second attitude is that doctors would face a big problem if they started to kill patients. This is because their job is to save people not kill them.

Question 9

Explain two non-religious attitudes supporting euthanasia. (4)

Answer 9

• One attitude is that they might use situation ethics to decide whether to permit euthanasia. This is because euthanasia can bring about the most loving outcome.
• A second attitude is that people now have the right to commit suicide as previously if their attempt failed they’d be jailed. This means that they should be allowed to have their doctor assist them in dying when they’re too weak to do so themselves.

Question 10

Explain two Christian responses to people that are dying. (4)

Answer 10

• One response is that the terminally ill should be helped by hospices. This is because they aim to relieve and control the pain of the dying.
• A second response is that the hospices help the patients and the family and friends to face up to death. This is because they care for the emotional needs for the relatives before, during and after the patient’s death.