What is euthanasia?

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Coursework 2

Euthanasia

Part a) i)

What is Euthanasia?

The word euthanasia comes from Greek and means ‘easy death’. The dictionary explains euthanasia as the act of killing someone painlessly, especially to relieve suffering from an incurable illness. It is also known as mercy killing. Euthanasia is always for the benefit of the person who will die and in most cases, the person who will die asks for it, but in some cases, that person cannot make the request.

There are many situations in which a person may request euthanasia, and this is called voluntary euthanasia, for example, a terminally ill person, a paralysed person and even a person who is depressed. There are many other reasons as well, such as a person being dependent on others and not liking it, fear of loss of self-control or dignity and feeling like a burden on others.

Voluntary euthanasia is illegal in the United Kingdom, but many people believe that it should be legal, under certain conditions, with appropriate safeguards.

Active euthanasia is illegal. Active euthanasia is when action is taken to bring a person’s life to an end; for example, a lethal dose of a drug being administered.

Passive euthanasia is when the decision is made to stop giving treatment, even though death may be the result.

Involuntary euthanasia is when another person makes the decision that it would be best for the person’s life to end because the person is unable to make the ...

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Voluntary euthanasia is illegal in the United Kingdom, but many people believe that it should be legal, under certain conditions, with appropriate safeguards.

Active euthanasia is illegal. Active euthanasia is when action is taken to bring a person’s life to an end; for example, a lethal dose of a drug being administered.

Passive euthanasia is when the decision is made to stop giving treatment, even though death may be the result.

Involuntary euthanasia is when another person makes the decision that it would be best for the person’s life to end because the person is unable to make the decision for himself or herself, for example, if they are in a coma or only a few hours old.

Euthanasia raises many moral issues. Questions are often asked such as, is it ever right for a person to end the life of another, even if they are terminally ill? This question brings up other questions like, if it is sometimes alright, then under what circumstances should it be allowed? For example, if the person will die in due course anyway or if they wish for their life to be ended to stop pain and suffering.

If the person who will die is not able to request it, then how can it be classed as euthanasia if we do not know that the person wants to die? Who decides whether the person should live or die and how do we know that this person can make a fair and reliable decision? There may be selfish reasons why the doctor or person making the decision does not want the person to live. For example, if they were due to inherit something upon the person’s death.

Therefore, if euthanasia should be allowed, how can it be decided who makes the decisions if the person is not in a position to make the decision for themselves.

Some people think that euthanasia should never be allowed because it might be abused and used as a cover for murder.

Bibliography:

1979 William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd

Collins English Dictionary

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