EUTHANASIA

–means "Good Death, "Gentle and Easy Death”

- word used for "mercy killing, which is the act or practice of ending a life of a person either by a
lethal injection or suspension of medical treatment.

Types of Euthanasia
A. Active euthanasia - death is brought by an act for example taking a high dose of drugs, lethal injection to
end a person’s life by the use of drugs, either by oneself or by the aid of a physician
B. Passive euthanasia - death is brought by an omission, for example when someone lets the person die by
withdrawing or withholding treatment like switching off a machine that keeps the person alive or not
carrying out a surgery that will extend life of the patient for a short time
C. Voluntary euthanasia - committed with the willing or autonomous cooperation of the subject which
means that the subject is free from direct or indirect pressure from others
D. Non voluntary euthanasia - occurs when the patient is unconscious or unable to make a meaningful
choice between living and dying, and an appropriate person takes that decision for him/her which is
usually called murder
E. Indirect euthanasia - providing treatments -mainly to reduce pain- that has a side effect of shortening
the patient’s life
F. Assisted suicide -refers to cases where the persons who are going to die need help to kill themselves and
ask for it which is as simple as getting drugs for the person, and putting those drugs within their reach

THE DILEMMA
Arguments about euthanasia often hinge on the “right to life” and the “right to die”
Right to Life
- a widely accepted basic human right and moral value, based on the fact that people generally want to live.
PROS AND CONS OF EUTHANASIA
Pros:
Those in favor of euthanasia argue that a civilized society should allow people to die in dignity
and without pain. They add that as suicide is not a crime, euthanasia should not be a crime.

Cons:
Religious Arguments:
Most religions disapprove of euthanasia for a number of reasons:

1. God has forbidden it (that says 'you must not kill').

2. Human life is sacred.
3. Human beings are made in God's image.
4. God gives people life, so only God has the right to take it away.

Christians are mostly against euthanasia. The arguments are usually based on the beliefs that:

1. Life is given by God, and that human beings are made in God's image.
2. Some churches also emphasize the importance of not interfering with the natural process of death.
3. Life is a gift from God.
4. Christianity requires us to respect every human being.

ARGUMENTS FOR:
 Euthanasia provides a way to relieve extreme pain.
  Euthanasia is another case of freedom of choice – the right to commit suicide.
 People should not be forced to stay alive.
 Speedy termination of physical and emotional suffering.
 Organs can be put to good use.
 Relieve mental suffering for the patient and his relatives.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST:

 Euthanasia demeans and devalues the sanctity of human life.

 Euthanasia amounts to murder and it is only God who can take away human life.
 Euthanasia destroys life, which has potential that could be yet unknown to the patient, doctor or the
family members.
 Euthanasia discourages scientists who are looking for a cure for incurable ailments.

CONCLUSION
Does a man, in addition to the right to live, have a right to die? More specifically, does he have a right to a dignified
death? Is a deprivation of life from the mercy reasons a crime or unpunishable act? Euthanasia is always morally
wrong, regardless of whether the suffering person really wants to die. We are against euthanasia. Our arguments
are usually based on the beliefs that life is given by God, and that human beings are made in God's image. We
should not interfere with the natural process of death. Human beings are free agents, but their freedom does not
extend to the ending of their own lives. Euthanasia and suicide are both a rejection of God's absolute sovereignty
over life and death.