Euthanasia

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  • Euthanasia
    • types of euthanasia
      • Active euthanasia - something is done to a person to make them die more quickly, eg giving drugs with the intention of bringing about death.
      • Passive euthanasia - any form of treatment that might extend a person's life is withdrawn, eg a life support machine is turned off.
      • Voluntary euthanasia - a person asks for their own life to be ended.
      • Non-voluntary euthanasia - a person cannot make a decision about euthanasia, so someone else, eg a doctor decides that it would be in the person's best interest if their life was ended.
      • Involuntary euthanasia - a person wants to live, but someone else, eg a doctor, decides that it would be in the person's best interest if their life was ended.
      • Assisted suicide - deliberately assisting or encouraging another person to end their own life.
    • alternatives to euthanasia
      • Hospice-. Palliative drugs are used to help ensure that the person does not suffer any more pain than is absolutely necessary.
      • Refusing treatment - in the UK all adults have the right to refuse treatment as long as they have the capacity to understand the situation they are in.
    • Human beings should have the right to be able to decide when and how they die
    • Euthanasia enables a person to die with dignity and in control of their situation.
    • Death is a private matter and the state should not interfere with the individual's right to die.
    • Euthanasia would release precious resources to treat people who could live.
    • Family and friends would be spared the pain of seeing their loved one suffer a long-drawn-out death.
    • Society permits animals to be put down as an act of kindness when they are suffering; the same treatment should be available to humans.
    • euthanasia would weaken society's respect for the value and importance of human life
    • proper palliative care is available which reduces or removes the need for people to be in pain
    • it would put too much power in the hands of doctors, and damage the trust between patient and doctor
    • some people may feel pressured to request euthanasia by family, friends or doctors, when it isn't what they really want
    • it would discourage the search for new cures and treatments for the terminally ill
    • voluntary euthanasia could be the first step on a slippery slope that leads to involuntary euthanasia, where those who are undesirable or seen as a problem could be killed
    • What does Christianity teach about euthanasia?
      • Most Christians believe that life is sacred and given by God, and therefore only God can decide when life ends.
      • "You shall not murder." The deliberate ending of a life could be classed as murder.
      • "Love your neighbour as yourself." Some Christians believe that ending pain and suffering, even if this means ending a life before God decides, to be an act of love and compassion.
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