GCSE RS Unit 3.2 Euthanasia Flashcards
What is Euthanasia?
The intention ending of a person’s life where the motivations is to end their suffering
What is Assisted Suicide?
A patient is given how they can end their own life
What are the 4 types of Euthanasia?
Voluntary Euthanasia - Where a patient makes a request
Non-Voluntary Euthanasia - Where a patient does not or cannot make a request
Active Euthanasia - Death is brought about by an active agent
Passive Euthanasia - Death is brought about by the removal of treatment
What is the Key Difference between euthanasia and assisted suicide?
The Key difference is who administers the life ending treatment?
Euthanasia - the doctor
Assisted suicide - the patient themselves
What does the law say about Euthanasia?
It is outlawed in the vast majority of countries (including the UK)
Voluntary Euthanasia is legal in: Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg
What does the law say about Assisted Suicide?
It is outlawed in the vast majority of countries (including the UK)
Some places give lighter sentences for assisting a death out of compassion
Assisted Suicide is legal in: USA (4 states), Switzerland
What are the moral arguments for Euthanasia?
Quality of life
> If a person is suffering unbearable pain, they may judge life is not wort living
Loss of Dignity
> Many people have long drawn out deaths which are not dignified. Euthanasia can avoid this
Economics
> It is very expensive to treat old and terminally ill patients. Should money be spent on those with a chance of living?
Right of Choice
> It is the right of each human being to choose the manner and time of death
What are the moral arguments against Euthanasia?
Medical Reasons
> A doctor’s diagnosis could be wrong, or a cure might be found for the disease
Doctor’s Integrity
> Allowing Euthanasia would compromise doctor-patient trust. A doctor’s job is to save lives
State of Mind
> It is possible to know if person is absolutely certain they want to end their life?
Slippery Slope
> If we allow euthanasia, how long until people are pressured into it?
What does the Catholic Church say about Euthanasia?
Euthanasia is wrong because it goes against the Sanctity of Life
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2280: “We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us.” It is not ours to dispose of?
But, if death is imminent, then it is acceptable to with-hold treatment or to give pain relief that quickens death
What do Evangelical Christians say about Euthanasia?
Agree with Catholics that Euthanasia is wrong
But they go further: saying that we should do everything we can to extend life
Allowing someone to die = murdering them (against 10 Commandments)
What do Liberal Christians say about Euthanasia?
Doctors should act in accordance with the wishes of the patient
God gives us Free-Will and therefore the free choices of individuals should be respected
It may sometimes be the most compassionate thing to do
