What is Euthanasia? Euthanasia is justified Euthanasia is not justified Summary and discussion

The word Euthanasia is derived from the Greek word euthanatos - eu well + thanatos death Oxford English Dictionary defines Euthanasia as A gentle and easy death. In recent use: The action of inducing a gentle and easy death. Used especially with reference to a proposal that the law should sanction the putting painlessly to death of those suffering from incurable and extremely painful diseases.

Voluntary Choosing to die yourself Some see it as suicide Do you have a right to just end your life?

Involantary Having someone else make the decision for you Highly controversial Who makes the decision?

Passive withholding of common treatments, or distribution of pain medication, knowing it may kill the recipient Non-active withdrawal of life support to end a life Active - use of lethal substances or forces to kill

Many arguments against euthanasia are religious Human rights allow everyone the right to freedom, justice and peace Harm Principle

Animals are put down when they are too ill. Why do we have a say over their lives and not over our own? Case Study: Dr Anne Turner

The Harm Principle From John Stuart Mills On Liberty: In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.

Dr Anne Turner Suffered from supranuclear palsy Had limited movement, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and doing simple tasks as a result

"I may look as though I am all right, but I am not. Doctors should be able to help people to die.

Sanctity of Life in religious teachings Illegal in USA, UK, France and most countries in the world Death is taboo in the West Immoral and violates human rights

Christians believe that humans have souls and were created in Gods image, therefore life is sacred and should not be violated

Who knows what good things can come out of the last phase of a person's life?"

The law in Britain, France, USA and most other countries in the world (not just the west) cannot justify Euthanasia Hard to define when Euthanasia is acting in the interests of the individual concerned rather than another party

FOR Freedom to choose how we live and how we die Extreme cases should have a choice Switzerland may hold the answer

AGAINST Life is special and should be preserved at all costs Family and friends left behind Not legally justifiable

Are we saving lives or just prolonging them? The debate is ongoing and there is no right or wrong answer!!