The information below sets out some of the arguments for and against Euthanasia.
REASONS FOR
People have a right to decide when they want to die.
Wrong to keep people alive beyond their natural life span (e.g. life support machine).
Gives people the ability to die with dignity.
Relatives spared the agony of watching their loved ones suffer a slow and painful death.
Jesus said – ‘Do unto others as you would have them do to you’. If you were suffering you may want your life to end.
REASONS AGAINST
People might commit euthanasia against a person’s wishes.
People might recover from an illness against all odds. Doctor’s diagnosis might be wrong.
Christians believe in the Sanctity of Life.
Against Commandment ‘Do not kill’.
Jesus suffered on the cross – he didn’t cut short his suffering therefore not down to us to end our life.
Many doctors are against euthanasia it is their job to try and save & protect life.
Some people think accepting suffering may have a spiritual value for your soul.
Jesus cared for the sick, he never talks about any type of euthanasia
Christians have Hospices – hospitals where the terminally ill are cared for, without losing their dignity.
In you Opinion
—Is it wrong to assist someone to die? —Should it be legal? —Is it wrong that it is legal to be euthanised in other countries, but if your husband or wife goes with you they could be prosecuted afterwards? —What conditions should be in place to make sure someone has thought the decision through thoroughly? —Is euthanasia ‘murder’? why/why not?
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Should Euthanasia be legalised?
Euthanasia case studies
1. Andrew has been in a coma for 23 years following a car accident. His doctors say that he is in a vegetative state. Is there any point in keeping him alive any longer?
2. Tony is suffering clinical depression. He is 27. He cannot see anything good ever happening to him again. He has considered suicide on many occasions but has never had the courage to carry it out. Should he be able to ask a Doctor to end his life for him with a simple injection?
3.Ethel is old and has been suffering a number of illnesses. Her family are very concerned about her. She is unsteady on her feet and often falls, breaking bones. She is incontinent and needs care and attention. Her daughter works in the day, but comes around at night to care for her. Ethel considers that she is a burden on everyone and asks her Doctor to end her life. What problems would arise if this were allowed?
4. Michael has had a bad accident and it is touch and go if he will survive. He needs long term and expensive medical treatment. That night the Prime Minister is involved in an accident and needs an urgent blood transfusion or he will die. Michael’s blood is the only one which matches the P.M. There is no other blood in stock. To use Michael’s blood will mean he will certainly not survive. The Doctors forge Michael's signature on the Euthanasia papers. They take his blood against his will and save the P.M. Michael dies – His family are told that it is what he wanted. If Euthanasia is allowed, could it be abused?
‘Arguments for Euthanasia’
•Patients with a terminal illness should be able to choose both the time and the way in which they die. •Euthanasia ends the suffering of a terminally ill patient and makes death gentle, peaceful, and easy. •For legislation of voluntary euthanasia (i.e. where a patient with a terminal illness asks to die) would allow doctors to take the action they believe is in the best interest of their patients without the fear of being prosecuted for breaking the law. •People should not have to live and endure pain if they have no change of getting better. It makes more economically sense to allow patients who are terminally ill to die quickly than to keep them alive by using expensive treatments and drugs.
Arguments against Euthanasia’
•Patients with a terminal illness can be very vulnerable. •They can be anxious of what the future holds for them. •They are often worried about the impact of their illness on their loved ones. •Sometimes they can suffer from depression or a false sense of worthlessness. resources. They could feel under pressure to request euthanasia. •Some very ill people and some elderly people may feel that they are a burden both to their families and to society that is cost conscious and short of •The Legislation of Euthanasia is often defended by people who have witnessed a loved on die, without the benefits of appropriate medical care. •Doctors must take their Hippocratic oath, (‘I will give no deadly medicines to anyone such if asked, nor against such counsels). •If the focus were to change from curing the condition to killing the individual with the condition, then the whole process of medical research & medical advances would be threatened.
Euthanasia
A religious approach: Christianity
Christians are mostly against euthanasia. The arguments are usually based on the beliefs that life is given by God, and that human beings are made in God’s image. Some churches also emphasise the importance of not interfering with the natural process of death.
The following key Christian teachings apply.
Discuss with a partner what you think these beliefs mean (in relation to euthanasia) E.g. In what ways might the process of dying be spiritually important? Briefly summarise your discussions in the ‘suggested meaning’ column. Complete the column ‘implications’ after you have discussed what these beliefs mean for euthanasia.
Belief
Suggested meaning
Implications
Life is a gift from God
Human life has dignity and value because it was made in God’s image
The process of dying is spiritually important and shouldn’t be disrupted