Under what circumstances if any do you approve of Euthanasia?

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Sam Williamson 11T

Religious Studies Coursework

Under what circumstances if any do you approve of Euthanasia?

The word 'euthanasia' comes from the Greek words 'eu' and 'thanatos', which together mean 'a good death'. Today, the meaning of 'euthanasia' has widened, to include how that good death is brought about. Specifically, 'euthanasia' is understood to mean a good death brought about by a doctor providing drugs or an injection to bring a peaceful end to the dying process.

In trying to make my decision I had to take into account the following:

The issue of voluntary euthanasia takes in medical, legal, ethical, political, individual and practical considerations. On one level, it is an academic debate, with experts battling it out about the pros and cons of assisted dying. It is also a religious debate, as people look to the teachings of their church for guidance on whether or not this could ever be permitted. On the medical front, doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff look to medical practice and ethics to inform their discussions on this issue. And for MPs and Peers who are asked to consider legislation, it is a political debate, with a very different set of considerations than the purely academic or religious.

But, most importantly, we should remember that this is also a personal debate. For the terminally ill, the issue of voluntary euthanasia is often not about ethical or legal considerations. It is about the choices that they are able — or unable — to make at the end of their lives. For those few who would like to be able to opt for voluntary euthanasia, this is not a dry academic debate. It is an emotional and deeply individual debate about what the right choice is for them.

The Voluntary Euthanasia Society campaigns for a change in the UK law ...

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But, most importantly, we should remember that this is also a personal debate. For the terminally ill, the issue of voluntary euthanasia is often not about ethical or legal considerations. It is about the choices that they are able — or unable — to make at the end of their lives. For those few who would like to be able to opt for voluntary euthanasia, this is not a dry academic debate. It is an emotional and deeply individual debate about what the right choice is for them.

The Voluntary Euthanasia Society campaigns for a change in the UK law to allow voluntary euthanasia and physician assisted suicide in certain strictly defined circumstances. I believe that living wills, current legally enforceable under common law, should be enshrined in statute law. But other groups and individuals have very different views. Some campaign strongly against voluntary euthanasia, believing it to be morally and ethically wrong. Others have a less certain stance, unsure about whether to support or oppose legalisation.

Whilst researching Euthanasia I found this quote:

"I sincerely believe that those who come after us will wonder why on earth we kept a human being alive against his will, when all the dignity, beauty and meaning of life had vanished; when any gain to anyone was clearly impossible, and when we should have been punished by the state if we had kept alive an animal in similar conditions."
The late Rev. Dr Leslie Weatherhead, a Methodist

Having read this I realised that I myself believe in What Dr Weatherhead said, I believe like he does it is wrong to keep someone alive against there will when they have a terminal disease. If someone is facing a long painful death in a hospital, which people can find depressing and uncomfortable, why make him or her suffer more if they have asked to have a kind death? Personally I would not be able to do this and under these circumstances I believe that a doctor giving their patient an overdose is a more humane way of allowing a patient to die