EUTHANASIA A Moral Dilemma What we knowthink Outline

EUTHANASIA: A Moral Dilemma

What we know/think

Outline of this Topic • • Etymology of Euthanasia Key Words and Phrases Case Studies Dignity in Dying The Roman Catholic Church Evaluation of the Issue Examination Practice

Web Resources • • • www. dignityindying. org. uk www. euthanasia. com www. religioustolerance. org/euth 1. htm www. bbc. co. uk/religion/ethics/euthanasia http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Euthanasia

Etymology of Euthanasia The word Euthanasia comes from the Greek Eu Qanatos Eu Thanatos which literally means: Good Death euthanasia involves ending the life of a person, at their request, who is terminally ill. It is also known as Mercy Killing or Assisted Suicide.

Key Vocabulary • Voluntary Euthanasia: Carried out at the direct request of the patient • Involuntary Euthanasia: Carried out with the involvement of the next-of-kin • Active Euthanasia: A direct action which ends the life of the patient (lethal injection) • Passive Euthanasia: Withdrawal of medical treatment which is prolonging the life of the patient (feeding tube) • Advance Directive/Living Will: A written statement in which the patient gives instructions about future medical treatment when s/he is unable to make their wishes known • Persistent Vegetative State: (PVS). A condition similar to a coma in which a person is awake but unaware of their condition/circumstances • Law of Double Effect: Treatment given to a patient that has a side effect that will cause death

Whose Death is it Anyway? • Watch the documentary from BBC Panorama • On the A 3 sheet make brief notes about the FOUR case studies • In each case suggest at least TWO arguments FOR and AGAINST euthanasia • Explain what you would decide in each case, giving reasons for your decision and saying whether euthanasia can be justified.

NEXT LESSON – THE ARGUMENTS FOR LEGALISED VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA