Week Four: Euthanasia

Question 1

Active vs passive euthanasia

Answer 1

active: giving a medication etc to end the life

passive: withdrawing medical support or not intervening to allow a life to pass

Question 2

1992 SDA church vs 2002 Oregon SDA statement re: PAS

Answer 2

1992: Church was opposed to active euthanasia; felt they need to give more thought to it
Oregon SDA Conference – first state to have PAS for the dying
Many pastors were totally opposed to it and refused to be at the bedside
Policy – all human life is a gift from god, and thus sacred. Those who face the end of life deserve to be respected and comforted. One of the primary goals of SDA minister is pastoral care in all stages of life, including death. No support or interaction in legal action, however be there to minister to the person right up to the point of death.

Question 3

what can we encourage people to make ? re: end of life

Answer 3

Encourage the making of Living Wills and Advanced Directives

Question 4

Treat each case individually re: end of life, active euthanasia

Answer 4

vegetative? vs chance of recovery?
difficult to be cool with active euthanasia bc fear of “playing god”