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Euthanasia
Euthanasia involves deliberately ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition painlessly by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment. Active euthanasia is illegal in most jurisdictions, while passive euthanasia, or the withholding of some life support systems, has legal standing in some jurisdictions. Questions about voluntary or involuntary euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the "right to die" are asked and answered here.
598 Questions
Euthanasia is from the greek words Eu (good) and Thanos (death). The name says it all - Euthanasia means good death.
I personally believe in voluntary euthanasia. Surely a person has the right to decide to die with dignity than to linger, perhaps for years, a burden on their loved ones and in indescribably pain? But this needn't be a debate.
Euthanasia of pets is a fairly common decision when a terminally ill or injured pet cannot be saved by veterinary intervention and is suffering. Euthanasia of humans, by choice of that person, is a far more controversial topic. Many people believe that they have the right to end their lives at peace and with dignity, whenever they choose.
Others (right to life groups) claim that euthanasia is wrong. Most of these groups are religious and claim that God bestows life and only God has the right to take it away.
If you want more information, type 'voluntary euthanasia' into Google. There are a lot of sites both for and against it and I won't try to dictate which point of view you should take. Have a look and decide for yourself.
Correction (With due respect to the above)While there are groups opposing euthanasia, right to life groups specifically oppose abortion, not euthanasia. Also, it is mainly advocacy groups and wealthy individuals, not common people like you and me, who contribute to assisted suicide advocacy organizations.For example: During the campaign to legalize assisted suicide in Washington in 2008, of the $4.9 million received by "Yes on I-1000" (Washington's assisted suicide law), $3.2 million was donated by assisted suicide advocacy groups across the country, Booth Garner, and his family and supporters alone! (I'll add a link to that website). Also, according to the same website, that single campaign received hundreds of thousands of dollars from foreign interests
Also, while it is true that many people base their opposition to euthanasia in religious grounds, the major cause is fear that, like abortion, it would slide down the slippery slope into killing "useless" patients without their permission, and also in pointing out the leaps and bounds we have made in pain alleviation in the past 10 years.
I'll explain my statement about abortion here... (It doesn't matter if you are for it or against it, just please examine the difference between then and now) Before Roe vs Wade, advocacy groups and prominent individuals were clamoring for it to be legalized in order to "Make it Safe!" for those few who would choose it. In 2005, however, that "few" had exploded into 1.2 MILLION abortions, just for that year. Now there are even people coming out, stating they believe it's irresponsible for a teenage girl to keep her baby.
I'll leave the decision up to you as well... But do you really want to end up being told keeping Grandma is irresponsible? The government can't even stay within a budget. How can we expect them to protect the elderly?
Is euthanasia legal in Switzerland?
"Whoever, driven by honourable intentions, especially pity, kills another person on the express, repeated and sincere request of the victim shall be punished with a prison sentence of max three years or fined" (art. 114 SFPC)
"Whoever, driven by selfish intentions, incites or convinces another person to commit suicide or has assisted him in the preparation of his suicide, shall, if the suicide has been performed or attempted, be sentenced to a max. 5 years' prison sentence or fined".
Suicide is thus possible if the victim performs it on its own. Furthermore, the assistance given in preparation of the act is not forbidden as long as it is done without selfish intentions, which allows specialized organisations like EXIT to supply the needed devices and materials to perform suicide, as this is the only not illegal possible assistance for suicide in Switzerland.
Why is euthanasia illegal for humans but it is legal to euthanize an animal?
It's not OK to euthanize an animal - this procedure is carried out only for incurable diseases. Hunting animals and killing them is another thing. Some time ago, in some countries, humans were euthanized (as a form of capital punishment) with an injection, electricity, etc. Nowadays there is death penalty in one or two countries at most in the whole world. NO ONE has the right to take another human's life.
Who is affected by Euthanasia?
patient, family, friends and colleagues but it is debatable in what way. Many may be relieved to know a loved one was put out of misery, others may feel it was unjustified.
Hope that helps.
A moral issue like this has many possible answers--I'd say it should be IF it is used appropriately, such as if an animal or human is in great pain and will inevitably die anyway, that way they are not suffering.
Why do people want to use euthanasia?
Some people don't fear death to the degree of willing to put up with the pain, or indignity or the stress that their last time on earth has in store for themselves or others. Modern medicine has brought about a situation where aside from longer lives people can also be put in a position where they have longer deaths. many people want to have a choice in whether they do away with the longer or painful or stressful death by simply ending it.
What does the Church teach about Euthanasia?
It"s a non-issue like colors of paint on the wall. Animals are not subject to human concepts of (rights) or justice. there is no objection to putting animals down, or euthanized. there is no objection to humane animal experimentation given proper safeguards. such extreme examples of Animal rights as, for example pet cemeteries are probably condemned by the Hierarchy as animals dont have human type souls.One shouldnot abuse animals,but euthanasia, etc is not singularily sinful.
Examples of involuntary euthanasia?
This is the form of euthanasia where a person or persons is/are killed without their consent. Not to be confused with non-voluntary, which is based on the patient's inability to give consent. Involuntary involves mentally challenged, deformed, etc.. It is akin to genocide.
How do you use the word Euthanasia in a sentence?
To prevent his sick dog from suffering anymore, he wanted his dog to have euthanasia.
Why is euthanasia a good thing?
There is a tremendous amount of debate on the issue of whether euthanasia is indeed a good thing or not, and under what circumstances would it be a good thing. If it is a good thing it would be because some people are very ill, and have painful, unpleasant lives that they would rather bring to an end.
I don't believe it is a good thing at all to kill helpless old people just because they are an inconvenience; or sick people just because they can't be cured.
There are several ways you can look at this question. Naturally the first way to look at it is from your own point of view you may feel that if life is not worthwhile to you any more as a result of let us say pain that is being suffered as a part of a terminal illness it makes sense that you should be able to say no more this is not worth putting up with any more so you get your medic or friend to help you shuffle the mortal coil so to speak. The problem with this sort of thinking however is that it is human nature to try to perfect and expand on everything. The first thing that will happen is that there will be specialists that will take care of this problem as most doctors would rather not have anything to do with this side of the patients treatment, After this it will be only a matter of time before euthanasia is allowed as a result of the patient having some time in the past alluded to their agreement to being euthanized after they had lost the ability to give express permission to have this done. With an aging population more and more people are going to prove to be a drain on the treasuries coffers, so chances are that the government is going to be behind this as it will save them a lot of money. The next line of thinking will be that at a certain time the decision to terminate will be made by a board with the aid of the patient's doctor or doctors. This can put the power of life and death in the hands of a few medics. And you may end up in situations where people are dispatched as the result of corrupt deals between beneficiaries and authorised doctors, like some of the deals that were made in the past by mental health professionals where by a person could disappear into a mental asylum while the family took over control of their assets. I know people are helped on their way and it is done quietly and because those involved feel there is no other way out and I don't particularly hold it against them. However while I agree with euthanasia I disagree with it being legalised and institutionalised. There are many more ways that this question may be looked at philosophically, ethically and in the context of religion, however without writing a book about it I would have to say in the end that I both agree and disagree with euthanasia. Like capital punishment the overall impression I have is that while it can be tempting to kill some one for the best of reasons, when it boils right down to it is always wrong.
What states allows Euthanasia?
No states in the US describe euthanasia as being legal. However, physician-assisted suicide has been legalized in a few states now. The difference between the two is that in euthanasia, the doctor administers the lethal drug to the patient while in physician-assisted suicide, the doctor provides the means (usually a lethal drug) to the patient, which end their own life.
Positive and negative effects of euthanasia?
PROS: * It provides a way to relieve extreme pain * It provides a way of relief when a person's quality of life is low * Frees up medical funds to help other people * It is another case of freedom of choice CONS: * Euthanasia devalues human life * Euthanasia can become a means of health care cost containment * Physicians and other medical care people should not be involved in directly causing death * There is a "slippery slope" effect that has occurred where euthanasia has been first been legalized for only
the terminally ill and later laws are changed to allow it for other people or to be done non-voluntarily.
What Are Some Famous British Euthanasia cases?
Bob Dent - Died 22 Sept 1996 in Darwin, first to die using world first Northern Territory Rights of the Terminally Ill Act. Used the euthanasia machine of Dr Philip Nitschke. Suffered from prostate cancer.
Janet Mills - Died Jan 1997 in Darwin after receiving a legal voluntary lethal injection from euthanasia machine. She suffered from Mycosis Fungoides.
Ester Wild - Had carcenoid syndrome and died in DarwinJune 1997, using slow overdose of morphine after Northern Territory euthanasia law overturned by Australian Federal parliament in 1997.
Norma Hall - Refused food and drink and spoke publicly about her right to determine her time of death. Died in Sydney drinking liquid morphine in Jan 2001.
Nancy Crick - Died May 2002. After long period of suffering following surgery for bowel cancer. She invited friends around to be with her and died in the Gold Coast when she consumed barbiturate Nembutal.
Sandy Williamson - Motor Neurone sufferer publicly argued for right to die before overdosing in Melbourne July 2002 on the barbiturate amytal.
Lisette Nigot - 80yr old retired academic ended her life taking the barbiturate Soneryl. She was not ill but argued for the right to a peaceful death irrespective of health status. Died in Perth Nov 2002.
Elizabeth Godfrey - Died Dec 2002 in Hobart, using a plastic Exit bag. Her son John was accused of assisting and stood trial. He received a 1 year suspended sentence.
Dr John Elliott - Dying of Multiple Myeloma, travelled to Switzerland to use services of Dignitas. Died Jan 2007
John Whylie - died from Nembutal overdose in Sydney. His wife Shirley Justins and friend Caren Jenning accused of assisting his suicide/ murder. Trial set for May 2008
How many people want euthanasia in Canada?
The application of euthansia for a person is totally disagreeable. Because it may be used for revenge ,profit or hatred.The government, society and family should understand theair responsibility & do their duties. What we want to prove to kill that suffered people- a weak ,frusted player? Today there is a big resposibility on the shoulder of research scolars and doctors to advance their kowledge to treat hopless, critical and chronic diseases. It is our weakness to do labour hard. We should not name euthansia for our weakness.About 40 -45 years ago, there was no treatment, operation of vulvular heart diseases . If we thought mercy killing that time , then how at present sucessful treatment of V.H.D.are going on.
Is it illegal to commit suicide in France?
Prior to 1893, suicide was prohibited in Canada, under common law. In 1893 Canada introduced its first Criminal Code, and made attempting suicide a crime. In 1972, attempted suicide was removed from the Criminal Code.
How many deaths have there been in the netherland sdue to euthanasia?
According to theJournal of the American Medical Association in a 1995 study, Dutch doctors reported to ending the lives of 948 patients without the patient's request. Keep in mind that there is no legal repercussions from not reporting a euthanization in the Netherlands and if a life was ended without request it would be less likely that it would be reported. According to a video by the International Task Force on Euthanazia and Assisted Suicide called Euthanasia: False Light, things have "gotten so bad in Holland that people have in their wallets little cards saying 'Do not euthanize me without my permission'" (Emphasis added)
Does euthanasia and physician assisted suicide violate the Hippocratic Oath why or why not?
I would say yes it does technicly contradict the hippocratic oath..... but we should remember the oath does not take in cout the patients will.
What was the name for the Nazi euthanasia program?
The Nazi regime referred to it as the Final Solution of the Jewish Question. See related questions below.
euthanasia is bad
it is not a painless death it is painful
most people that are helped on their way so to speak do not suffer as a result of the experience. The right and wrong of it is another mater al together. because ther is death involved does not mean it is wrong.
sometimese euthanasia is proven wrong
There are several ways you can look at this question. Naturally the first way to look at it is from your own point of view you may feel that if life is not worthwhile to you any more as a result of let us say pain that is being suffered as a part of a terminal illness it makes sense that you should be able to say no more this is not worth putting up with any more so you get your medic or friend to help you shuffle the mortal coil so to speak. The problem with this sort of thinking however is that it is human nature to try to perfect and expand on everything. The first thing that will happen is that there will be specialists that will take care of this problem as most doctors would rather not have anything to do with this side of the patients treatment, After this it will be only a matter of time before euthanasia is allowed as a result of the patient having some time in the past alluded to their agreement to being euthanized after they had lost the ability to give express permission to have this done. With an aging population more and more people are going to prove to be a drain on the treasuries coffers, so chances are that the government is going to be behind this as it will save them a lot of money. The next line of thinking will be that at a certain time the decision to terminate will be made by a board with the aid of the patient's doctor or doctors. This can put the power of life and death in the hands of a few medics. And you may end up in situations where people are dispatched as the result of corrupt deals between beneficiaries and authorised doctors, like some of the deals that were made in the past by mental health professionals where by a person could disappear into a mental asylum while the family took over control of their assets. I know people are helped on their way and it is done quietly and because those involved feel there is no other way out and I don't particularly hold it against them. However while I agree with euthanasia I disagree with it being legalised and institutionalised. There are many more ways that this question may be looked at philosophically, ethically and in the context of religion, however without writing a book about it I would have to say in the end that I both agree and disagree with euthanasia. Like capital punishment the overall impression I have is that while it can be tempting to kill some one for the best of reasons, when it boils right down to it is always wrong.
What are the disadvantages and benefits of a community that accepts such a vision of euthanasia?
Advantages of euthanasia, or right-to die policies, is in allowing the person to maintain a dignity in death after a lifetime of dignity. It may provide them with a sense of empowerment in the face of being powerless against the progression of a chronic, perhaps fatal, disease. It can also relieve some of the guilt and shame they may be feeling as they require increasing amounts of time and resources from relatives, especially if estranged over years. A central theme includes a persons quality of life. Disadvantages may involve the "slippery slope" many ethicists feel may occur, thinking that voluntary euthanasia can devalue human life. Quality of life is not as significant a theme as is maintenance of a life. Many religious groups feel this may eventually lead to such a widespread value system in society that elderly individuals may be pressured against their will to utilize this option by those with a vested interest ( beneficiaries of life insurance policies, directors of health maintenance organizations, etc.).
How many people have died from euthanasia each year?
Legal euthanasia is exceedingly rare.
How many people are euthanized in general is not known well since it is not legal in most places and so rarely openly done.
There is also often a fine line between relieving symptoms in terminally ill people with doses of drugs that may bring about death and intentionally bring about death as a way to relieve suffering.
How long has euthanasia been illegal in the UK?
im for sure that that it became illegal under 1961 suicide act
Sometimes when people have a very serious and incurable disease they would prefer to be dead than to continue to be alive but sick. Euthanasia is the practice of killing such people.
