Euthanasia

Question 1

Voluntary euthanasia

Answer 1

When a person asks a doctor to end their life as they do not wish to live anymore

Question 2

Non-voluntary euthanasia

Answer 2

When the person is too ill to request to die, for example they are in a coma, but a doctor will end their life for them because it is thought to do so would be in their best interests

Question 3

Active euthanasia

Answer 3

When active steps are taken to end someone’s life, for example by giving them a lethal injection

Question 4

Passive euthanasia

Answer 4

When doctors stop providing treatment e.g. switching off life support, when a person is not resuscitated after a heart attack

Question 5

Arguments for euthanasia

Answer 5

• Human beings should have the right to be able to decide when and how they die (self-determination)
• Euthanasia enables a person to die with dignity and in control of their situation
• It is expensive to keep people alive when there is no cure for their illness. Euthanasia would release precious resources to treat people and 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

Question 6

Arguments against euthanasia

Answer 6

• 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
• Some people unexpectedly recover
• Some people may change their mind about euthanasia and be unable to tel anyone
• 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

Question 7

Christians in support of euthanasia

Answer 7

• Some Christians would support euthanasia
• God is love. Christianity is love and compassion.
• Humans were given dominion over all living things by God (Genesis 1:28) therefore we can choose for ourselves
• Jesus came so that people could have life ‘in all its fullness’ (John 10:10) this means quality of life
• God gave humans free will. We should be allowed to use free will to decide when our lives end
• “Do to others as you would have them do to you”
• For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under seven: a time to be born, and a time to die (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)

Question 8

Roman Catholic view on Euthanasia

Answer 8

• Totally against euthanasia. Any act which deliberately brings about death is the same as murder
• Does accept using pain killing drugs which are meant to relieve pain but may shorten someone’s life
• ‘Euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God’ Pope John Paul 11, 1995

Question 9

Church of England view on Euthanasia

Answer 9

• Sanctity of life is very important, but doctors should not have to keep people alive for the sake of it, regardless of the quality of life
• Making the old and the ill feel wanted and valuable is more important

Question 10

Baptist Church view on Euthanasia

Answer 10

• Generally against euthanasia. All human life is sacred and worth preserving
• Baptists agree that when a person is brain dead and experts agree there is no chance of recovery, then it is acceptable to stop treatment and allow the patient to die naturally
• Baptists do not agree with actions that make death come more quickly e.g. lethal dose of drugs

Question 11

Methodist Church views on Euthanasia

Answer 11

• “We need to provide better care for the dying rather than kill them off early” Methodist Conference 1974