1. Euthanasia- refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering.
5 TYPES of EUTHANASIA
Active vs. Passive
· Active Euthanasia – Taking specific steps to cause the patient’s death
· Passive Euthanasia- Withdrawing medical treatment, deliberately causing death
Difference:
Active- something is done
Passive- something that is not done
· Voluntary Euthanasia- Patient request an action to end their life
· Involuntary Euthanasia- Death without the patient’s knowledge
· Assisted Suicide – The doctor provides the patient the means to end their own life
The Morality of Euthanasia
· If a person asks for death as a release from extreme pain then how can it be immoral to help?
· “ No human with a spark of pity would let a living thing suffer so”
· If an action or Social Policy would decrease misery in society, then that is the very good reason to
endorse said policy
· Euthanasia Fulfills this mandate:
1. If an action promotes the best interest of everyone and violence no other right, then it is morally
acceptable.
2. Euthanasia does this, in at least some cases
3. Therefore, Euthanasia is morally acceptable, in at least some cases.
Wikipedia gives the following definition of euthanasia: “It is a practice of ending life in a manner which relieves
pain and suffering”. And there is one more detailed definition from Committee on Medical Ethics: “Euthanasia is a
deliberate intervention undertaken with the intention of ending life to relieve intractable suffering”.
There are also several synonyms that can help to understand the notion of euthanasia“, namely assisted suicide
and excusable homicide. According to this euthanasia can be categorized in different ways including voluntary and
involuntary, active and passive. Active euthanasia can be viewed as homicide and in this case it is considered as
criminal. Passive euthanasia is mostly considered as non-criminal.
Let’s consider arguments for euthanasia. First of all, euthanasia gives a way to relieve unbearable pain. But is it a
weighty argument? Modern technologies provide a lot of pain-relieving solutions – it makes the argument less
forceful. Moreover, is a sick person who suffers from severe pain able to make objective appraisal of his medical
condition? One should also take into consideration that fact that illness is usually accompanied by depression.
Second argument for euthanasia says that people have right to commit a suicide. But…Do we give a right to die or
a right to kill that will not be criminalized? Thirdly, euthanasia is supported by freedom of choice; people must not
be pushed to stay alive. And again, does the condition of person allow him to evaluate the situation without bias?
I don’t think so.
2. And what are the arguments against euthanasia? Euthanasia depreciates human life. Euthanasia may transfer
from voluntary to involuntary. Euthanasia may be used not only for people who are “mortally sick”. Does it sound
weighty enough? I think more than enough.
In conclusion, religions are different. But there is the only and extremely important issue that unites Christianity
and Islam: suicide is forbidden. God gives us life and God takes it back. And it’s not up to human beings to make
such a decision.
Republic of the Philippines
Laguna SSttaattee PPoollyytteecchhnniicc UUnniivveerrssiittyy
Santa Cruz, Laguna
College of Nursing and Allied Health
Abortion and Euthanasia
(Bioethics)
Rozelle Mae Birador
BSN-2A
