Euthanasia Flashcards
what is Euthanasia
Is the deliberate termination of an individual’s life (at that individual’s request), Or in medical practice the active and deliberate termination of a patients life, on that patients request, by a doctor.
Active Euthanasia
done intentionally by giving a lethal injection or drinking a barbituate to end a terminal illness
Passive Euthanasia
withdrawing treatment or switching off a life support machine and allowing a person to die
voluntary euthanasia
carried out at the request of a fully informed person
non- voluntary euthanasia
if a person is unable to give consent or to express their own wishes
double effect
were the primary actions is to relieve pain by the secondary is death
arguments for euthanasia
> Secular age, people don’t believe in god. Right to decide.>Your life! 1961 suicide act- not illegal. Humane>82% of UK agree V.E should be legal>We put dogs down, why not humans>Mary Warnock- those who have lost sense of dignity should be respected.>‘Nature has placed mankind under two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure and that alone should point out what we do’ Bentham>If god is love, you should show love to others.>No specific in Bible, V.E isn’t murder, ‘death is better than a miserable life and eternal rest then chronic sickness’>Pain relief at childbirth, but none at death- Albert Camus>Contraception is widely accepted in Cath. Laity, so too should V.E. both issues are concerned with life and death and right of individual to make own decisions – Pro Hans King>Honesty. Patients needs, could strengthen relationship>Holland- 3% of deaths are due to V.E>Backstreet abortions, suicide might get worse?>Each year 25,000 people in Holland ask to have life ended if life was intolerable, only 9,000 repeated, 3,000 had it>‘To say people are forced into V.E is like saying making love is rape’ Annie Lindsell>‘People in a vegitive state are not people’ Fletcher>Limited healthcare. 20% of people given extra-ordinary care have no chance of survival
arguments against euthanasia
Christians believe life is a gift from god, stewardship. >Effects others (doctors)>Involves another person. Pressurize people.>Majority does not always make you right (racism). Weak and Vulnerable need protecting>Human created in the image of god. Modern palliative care.>Dignity of human life is inherent. CofE- not just pleasure or pain but feeling that makes you human.>Sharing in God’s pain, union with God, Fathers will.>‘Undermines sense of unconditional love and value which compassion is grounded’ R.Williams>‘You must not murder’>Medicine should preserve life. Patients can decline care.>No trust. Patients may fear doctors have other motives>0.8% of deaths in Holland are due to non-voluntary.>weak and vulnerable may feel obliged to kill them.>Must uphold law>25,000 asked- that’s a lot>Could it pressure people into it?>Sanctity of life>Unjust? Shows lack of respect
