1. Topic 6. Euthanasia
Notre Dame of Tacurong College
Senior High School Department
City of Tacurong
Rodolfo P. Dati
February 2021
2. Objectives: At the end of the topic, the learners will be able to;
• Discuss the Church’s teaching on
Euthanasia.
• Realize the value of respecting human
life.
• Write a reflection paper on the sanctity
of human life.
3. Euthanasia
Do we have the freedom to die?
Should we die by design or by chance? By design or by
accident? Painlessly, easily and comfortably or otherwise?
Active and passive euthanasia
Voluntary and involuntary euthanasia
4. KEY TERMS
COMPETENCE
A competent patient is one who understands his or her
medical condition, what the likely future course of the disease
is, and the risks and benefits associated with the treatment of
the condition; and who can communicate her/his wishes.
LIVING WILL
A document prepared by an individual which states what one
wants in regard to medical treatment and euthanasia.
5. KEY TERMS
DIGNITY
The value that a human being has simply by existing,
not because of any property or action of an individual.
DNR
Abbreviation for Do Not Resuscitate. Instruction telling
medical staff not to attempt to resuscitate the patient if
the patient has a heart attack.
6. KEY TERMS
ACTIVE EUTHANASIA
In active euthanasia a person (physician) directly
and deliberately causes the patient's death.
ASSISTED SUICIDE
This is when the person who wants to die needs
help to kill themselves, asks for it and receives it.
7. KEY TERMS
DOCTRINE OF DOUBLE EFFECT
Ethical theory that allows the use of drugs that will
shorten life, if the primary aim is only to reduce pain.
FUTILE TREATMENT
Treatment that the health care team think will be
completely ineffective.
8. KEY TERMS
INDIRECT EUTHANASIA
This means providing treatment (usually to reduce
pain) that has the foreseeable side effect of causing
the patient to die sooner.
INVOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA
This occurs when the person who dies wants to live
but is killed anyway. It is usually the same thing as
murder.
9. KEY TERMS
NONVOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA
This is where the person is unable to ask for euthanasia
(perhaps they are unconscious or otherwise unable to
communicate), or to make a meaningful choice between living
and dying and an appropriate person takes the decision on
their behalf, perhaps in accordance with their living will, or
previously expressed wishes.
VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA
This is where euthanasia is carried out at the request of the
person who dies.
10. KEY TERMS
PALLIATIVE CARE
Medical, emotional, psychosocial, or spiritual care given to a person
who is terminally ill and which is aimed at reducing suffering rather
than curing.
PASSIVE EUTHANASIA
In passive euthanasia death is brought about by an omission - i.e. by
withdrawing or withholding treatment in order to let the person die.
PAS
Abbreviation for Physician Assisted Suicide.
11.
12. MEANING AND CAUSES
Euthanasia – “eu” – easy and “thanatos” – death; “easy
death”
Painless, peaceful death.
The deliberate putting to death, in an easy, painless way of
an individual suffering from an incurable and agonizing
disease.
A theory which affirms the individual’s right to die in a
painless and peaceful manner when he is confronted with a
horrible disease and the quality of his life deteriorates.
14. SELF-ADMINISTERED
Active/ positive
A terminally ill patient will deliberately terminate
his life by employing painless method.
Passive/ negative
One allows oneself to die without taking any
medicine or by refusing medical treatment.
15. OTHER-ADMINISTERED
Active and nonvoluntary
The physician, spouse, friend or relative
decides that the life of the patient should be
terminated.
Passive and nonvoluntary
The patient is allowed to die as requested by
the family member, friend, etc.
16. Human Dignity
Issue: Preservation of human dignity
in death
Positions:
Euthanasia aims to preserve human
dignity until death
Euthanasia erodes human dignity.
17. Different views
Position Proponent Reason
Euthanasia is
wrong
Gary
Williams
- It is intentional killing. It opposes the natural
law.
- It may be performed for purposes of self-
interest or other consequences but only in a
guise of “mercy killing.”
- It may tempt the medical staff not to give their
best to save the patient. Euthanasia might be
taken as an easy way out.
Euthanasia is
humane.
James
Rachels
It allows suffering to end. Its morality depends
on the intention and circumstances surrounding
the case.
18. Different views
Position Proponent Reason
Euthanasia is ok if
it’s with the
patient’s consent.
Philippa
Foot
Everyone has a right to life. It is what a
person wants that counts.
Euthanasia is a
prima facie duty if
opted by the
patient.
Richard
Brandt
We have the prima facie duty not to injure
others.
Someone in irreversible coma is beyond
injury.
The decision of the physician must depend on
the patient’s wishes.
19. Application of Ethical Theories
St. Thomas’ Natural Law Ethics
What makes euthanasia wrong?
- Inviolability of life
- Principle of stewardship
What could be the excuse for euthanasia?
Double effect principle
- Aim is to reduce pain.
- Results in the reduction of pain on one hand and the
hastening of death on the other hand.
- There is no moral obligation to continue medical treatment if
and when a terminally ill patient becomes hopeless.
20. Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)2277
“Whatever its motives and means, direct
euthanasia consists in putting an end to the
lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It
is morally unacceptable. Thus an act or
omission which, of itself or by intention,
causes death in order to eliminate suffering
21. Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)2277
constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the
dignity of the human person and to the
respect due to the living God, his Creator. The
error of judgment into which one can fall in
good faith does not change the nature of this
murderous act, which must always be
forbidden and excluded.”
22.
23. Group Activity #2: Euthanasia (40pts)
What is your own
position as regards
Euthanasia?
24. Instructions
1. Write and explain your position.
2. Answer it in at least 2-3 paragraphs.
3. The template of the activity is available in the
LEAP.
4. Submission is via LEAP. Kindly attach your file
therein the respective activity.
5. Deadline for submission is on March 5, 2021.
25. Criteria Performance Indicators Points
Organization of Ideas
/Content
Expressed the points in clear and
logical arrangement of ideas in the
paragraph.
20
Grammar Used correct grammar, punctuation,
spelling, and capitalization.
10
Completeness Adhered to the date for submission. 10
