Euthanasia Flashcards
Define euthanasia
By definition Euthanasia means ‘good death’ in Greek. It is a mercy killing or easier way to die than a natural means because of the person’s illness.
Name some forms of euthanasia
Active - A direct way of killing the patient has occurred to the patient to ensure the death. For example through an overdose of drugs.
Passive - A person is allowed to die and therefore not directly killed. An example of this would be by withholding their medication.
Voluntary - Euthanasia has been requested by the person who wants to die.
Non voluntary - The person who receives a mercy killing has been unable to make the decision for themselves. For example a young baby or someone of low intelligence and someone makes the decision on their behalf.
Involuntary - To ease inevitable suffering a person that would want to live is killed by another person. For example if they will definitely suffer a painful death they could be killed in advance. For example a soldier kidnapped by the enemy.
What is palliative care?
What is a living will?
Palliative care is the medical, emotional and spiritual care aimed at reducing suffering rather than curing the person who is suffering.
Friends and family of the terminally ill patients can also be supported by organisations that provide palliative care. It is designed to make the end of people’s lives as pleasant as possible. People believe this could remove the need for euthanasia
A living will refers to a document from someone who has a diagnoses that if they become so ill and cannot communicate their wishes that they can rely on this document as to how they should be treated.
3 Pro choice arguments?
- people should have the right to control their own lives and determine when they will die.
- It is believed that in civilised societies we should allow people to die in dignity rather than excruciating deaths that illnesses may bring about.
- Another pro-choice argument sometimes used is that it is no longer illegal to commit suicide. Some people aren’t able to take their own lives and might want help in doing so.
5 pro life arguments?
- if euthanasia were to be accepted that it would devalue the lives of the disabled or sick. All humans should be valued despite age, sex, race, religion or state of health.
- Many Christians would take a pro-life position and believe that life is sacred because God has made people in His image and only He should decide when life ends.
- Another pro-life argument is that if euthanasia were legalised it could be abused and some people may end up having euthanasia when they didn’t want this option. Some people might feel that they are a burden on their family and feel obliged to take the option
- Other people believe that suffering is not a reason to end your life. Whilst all suffering is difficult it can develop virtues in people like ‘character and patience’.
- Another factor that people who argue from a pro-life position maintain is the role of palliative care. It is believed that palliative care can make euthanasia unnecessary.
What does the law say about euthanasia?
Euthanasia is illegal in Britain. It is considered murder even if the person has requested to have euthanasia.
The maximum penalty for administering euthanasia is 14 years imprisonment.
There have been several attempts to change the law that have been unsuccessful.
What countries have legalised euthanasia?
Switzerland and the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands doctors can administer drugs to terminally ill patients (over the age of 12) if they are convinced that the patient has voluntarily made the decision, suffering is unendurable, the patient understands the consequences, there is no other solution, a second doctor has been consulted and they have helped the patient to die with good medical care.
Belgium voted to pass euthanasia without any age limits in 2014.
This means children in extreme situations may also have euthanasia.
What is the hospice?
An organisation that provides palliative care.
This was set up by Sicely Saunders, who as a doctor and Christian was in opposition to euthanasia. She wanted to maximise the end of person’s life and make the most out of this time.
In the UK 60,000 people are living in hospices with a further 120,000 patients living at home but supported by hospice care.
Patients can garden, write, talk, have aromatherapy and participate in activities that they are able to do. Comfortable and warm surroundings are provided for those who are nearing the end of their life. Pain can be controlled by drugs and medical care and the Hospice maintains that no matter how severe this is that they can control it. It also provides support for families and patients to face up to death and therefore emotional support is received. Patients who have belief in God can have religious leaders read the Bible with them or receive prayer.
What are Christians’ view on euthanasia?
- Christians believe that suffering and illness is a time in your life to look beyond the tangible material world to and find a deep meaning to your life. Even the process of dying can be a time of learning more about God and how he can be your strength through terrible suffering.
- As Christians believe they will enter eternity in heaven with God after their life all suffering should be seen as a temporary time of pain before inexpressible joy.
- Christians have a strong belief in the sanctity of life as Genesis outlines that humans are made in God’s image. “Let us make man in our image after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26)
- Those who are vulnerable (elderly, ill or disabled) should be protected and at the end of their lives palliative care is a much better option than a consideration of euthanasia
- Christians also believe that in a world marred with sin that suffering should be expected. however they believe that through their suffering they can rely on God’s strength and develop character and patience.
- to take the life of another person is murder. Christians believe that would be applicable for the issue of euthanasia
What does the church say about euthanasia?
Many Christian churches have strong opinions against euthanasia.
- The Roman Catholic Church condemn euthanasia as unacceptable. They take a pro-life position in both abortion and euthanasia. “LIt is necessary to state firmly once more that nothing and no one can in any way permit the killing of an innocent human being, whether a foetus or an embryo, an infant or an adult…”
- The Presbyterian Church emphasises that palliative care should be provided for those who are ill or dying rather than the choice of euthanasia.
- The Church of Ireland also minimises the choice of euthanasia by encouraging Christians to “use a far greater resource - palliative care, a care which embraces body, mind and soul.”
