Euthanasia, different religions view , and types

1. EUTHANASIA
BY
NOUMAN AHMAD
Course Instructor: Dr. YAR MUHAMMAD

2. CONTENT
 Definition
 Introduction
 History
 Classification
 Legal Status
 Ethics
 Religeous
controversies

3. Euthanasia
Euthanasia is derived from Greek word;
Eu means well/ Good, and thanatos means death ( good death )
It is the practice of intentionally ending life to eliminate pain
and suffering.
Definition
Deliberately ending someone’s life, usuallay to relieve suffering
or to eliminate pain is known as Ethunasia

4. INTRODUCTION
 A deliberate intervension undertaken with the express intension of ending a
life to relieve interactable suffering.
 Euthanasia can be performed by a doctor or another person who acts on
behalf of the patient.
 Euthanasia can also be requested by patient or by someone else who has legal
authorithy to make decisions for them.

5. Continue…
 Euthanasia can be carried out by administering a lethal drug or
by withdrawing or withholding life sustaining treatment.
 Euthanasia can be done with or without the patients consent.

6. HISTORY
In medical context, the term “Euthanasia” was first used by
Francis Bacon in 17th century refer to an easy, painless, or happy
death.
First apparent usage of the term “Euthanasia” belongs to the
historian Suetonius who described how the Emperor Agustus’
“dying quickly and wthout suffering in the arms of his wife, Livia,
experienced the euthanasia he had wished for.

7. Ancient Greece and Rome
Euthanasia was practiced by ancient Greece and
Rome;
For Example: Hemlock was employed as a
means of hastening death on the land of KEA.
A technique also employed in MASSALIA
In Middle Age
 Euthanasia was generally rejected by
Christia Church, which considered it a sin
and violation of the sanctity of life.
 There were some exception such as “holy
death” which involved withdrawing
treatment or food from terminally ill patients
who were prepared to die.
 Also there were some mercy killing cases
like, execution of criminals or the killing of
wounded soldiers in war.

8. In 19th and 20th Centuries
 Several attempts to legalize
euthanasia in various countries such
as; Switzerland, Germany, United
States, United Kingdom.
 Some of these attempts were
influenced by Eugenics movement,
which advocated for the elimination
of people with disabilities or
diseases.
 Most of the attempts were failed
due to public opposition or ethical
concerns.
 First country to legalize euthanasia was
the Netherland in 2002, followed by
Belgium in 2002, Luxembourg in
2009, Canada in 2016, Colombia in
2017, New Zealand in 2020, Spain in
2021
 Some other countries like Switzerland,
Germany, France, Italy, Australlia,
and some States of United States allow
assisted suicide or have decriminalized
under certain circumstances

9. CLASSIFICATION
Passive & Active Euthanasia
Passive euthanasia entails the withholding
treatment necessary for the continuance of life
while Active euthanasia entails the use of lethal
substance or drugs.
Voluntary Euthanasia
 Voluntary euthanasia is conducted with the
consent of the patient.
 Active Voluntary euthanasia is legal in
Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherland.
 Passive Voluntary euthanasia is legal
throughout the US per CRUZEN V.
Director, Missoury Department Of
Health.
 Also Legal in Switzerland, and states of
California, Oregon, Washington,
Montana and Vermont.

10. Non-Voluntary Euthanasia
Non Voluntary euthanasia is conducted
when the consent of the patient is
unavailable, and someone other acting on
behalf of the patient.
Example;
Child Euthanasia: which is illegal
worldwide but decriminalized under
certain specific circumstances in the
Netherland under the Groningen
Protocol.
Passive form of non voluntary ethunasia
are legal in number of countries under
specific conditions.
Involuntary Euthanasia
Involuntary euthanasia is
conducted against the will
of the patient.

11. Legal status
The legal status of euthanasia varies
widely across different countries and
regions. Some countries have
legalized euthanasia under strict
condition and regulation; some
countries have decriminalized or
tolerated assisted suicide under
certain circumstances; some contries
have prohibited and form of
euthanasia or assisted suicide; and
some countries have no clear laws or
policies on euthanasia.
Some of the factors that influence the
legal status of euthanasia include:
• The social and cultural values and
norms of the society
• The ethical and moral principles and
arguments of different stakeholders
• The medical and scientific evidence
and opinions on the benefits and
harms of euthanasia
• The human rights and legal
frameworks and precedents on the
right to life and the right to die
• The political and religious influences
and pressures on the decision-making
process

12. Ethics
• Some doctors and opponents of
Physician-assisted suicide
(Euthanasia) are concerned
about the ethical complications
doctor could face.
• For more than 2500 years,
doctors have taken the
Hippocratic Oath.
• This Oath encourages doctors to
care for and never harm those
under their care.
Religious controversies
The religious value of euthanasia
depends on the beliefs and teachings of
different religions and denominations.
Some religions support euthanasia as a
way of respecting the dignity and
autonomy of the individual; some
religions oppose euthanasia as a
violation of the sanctity and purpose of
life; and some religions have mixed or
nuanced views on euthanasia depending
on the circumstances and conditions.

13. Some of the major religions and their views on euthanasia are:
ISLAM
Euthnasia is a complex issue in Islamic theology; euthanasia is against the
Islamic law and holy texts.
According to Qur’an and Hadith, the early termination of life is crime, be it by
suicide are helping one commit suicide.
Suicide and euthanasia are both crime in almost all Muslim majority countries.

14. However, some Christian
denominations, such as
Anglicanism, Lutheranism, and
Unitarianism, have more liberal or
tolerant views on euthanasia and
allow it in some exceptional cases,
such as when the patient is in a
persistent vegetative state or when
the patient’s pain is unbearable and
incurable. They believe that God is
compassionate and merciful and that
human dignity and free will should
be respected.
Christianity
Most Christian denominations, such as
Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and
Protestantism, condemn euthanasia as a
sin and a crime against God and human
life. They believe that life is a gift from
God and that only God has the
authority to take it away. They also
believe that suffering has a meaning
and a value in God’s plan and that it can
be endured with faith and grace.

15. However, some Jewish traditions
have more lenient or flexible views
on euthanasia and allow it in some
extreme cases, such as when the
patient is in a terminal or agonizing
state or when the patient’s life is
considered “futile” or
“meaningless”. They believe that
God is compassionate and just and
that human dignity and autonomy.
Judaism
Most Jewish traditions reject euthanasia
as a violation of the commandment
“Thou shalt not kill” and the principle
of “the sanctity of life”. They believe
that life is a gift from God and that only
God can decide when it ends. They also
believe that suffering has a purpose and
a value in God’s plan and that it can be
alleviated with proper care and comfort.
should be respected.

16. Buddhism
Most Buddhist traditions do not support
euthanasia as a form of killing, which is
contrary to the precept of “not harming
living beings” and the principle of “the
preciousness of life”. They believe that
life is a cycle of birth, death, and
rebirth (samsara) and that only by
achieving enlightenment (nirvana) can
one escape from it. They also believe
that suffering is caused by ignorance,
attachment, and aversion (the three
poisons) and that it can be overcome by
wisdom, compassion, and detachment
(the three jewels).
However, some Buddhist traditions
have more compassionate or pragmatic
views on euthanasia and allow it in
some exceptional cases, such as when
the patient is in a hopeless or
unbearable state or when the patient’s
karmic consequences are minimal or
positive. They believe that Buddha is
compassionate and wise and that human
freedom and responsibility should be
honored.

17. Euthanasia is the act of
intentionally ending the life of a
person or an animal who is
suffering from an incurable
illness or a medical condition
that causes unbearable pain.
Euthanasia can be performed by
a doctor or by the person
themselves, with or without
their consent. Euthanasia is
illegal in most countries and is
considered either manslaughter
or murder. However, some
countries allow euthanasia
under strict conditions and
regulations. Euthanasia is also
called mercy killing or assisted
dying.
Homicide is the act of
killing another person,
either intentionally or
unintentionally. Homicide
can be classified into
different types, such as
murder, manslaughter,
self-defense, or capital
punishment. Homicide is
generally illegal and
punishable by law, unless
it is justified by certain
circumstances or
authorized by the state.
Suicide is the act of killing
oneself intentionally. Suicide can
be motivated by various factors,
such as mental illness, despair,
guilt, or personal choice. Suicide
is not a criminal act in most
countries, but it is often
considered a moral or religious
sin. Assisting someone to commit
suicide is illegal in many countries
and is called assisted suicide.
Homicide, Suicide and Euthanasia

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