Euthanasia

• Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide are ways in which a person can determine the end of their own life
• The word ‘euthanasia’ means ‘easy or gentle death’
• Humanists reject belief in God and support people in their right to die
• Humanists argue that individuals suffering from incurable diseases might choose to end their life before their illness reaches the final stages
• This allows them to control the disease or illness before it becomes too painful
• Humanist, Peter Singer, believes that individuals with a poor quality of life should be able to die with dignity at a time of their choosing
• The Catholic Church rejects Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia as ways of ending a life
• This rejection is based on the belief that all human life is sacred and should be respected from conception to natural death
• Euthanasia and assisted suicide are considered to go against the sanctity of life and the instruction in the Ten Commandments - 'Do not murder'
• The Church views 'Palliative Care' as an alternative to euthanasia and assisted suicide
• Palliative care is supported by the Catholic Church and many other Christians because it respects the value of every person until their natural death
• Medication is provided in palliative care to reduce pain and enable the individual to retain as much dignity and quality of life as possible
• Arguments in favour of Euthanasia & Assisted Suicide:
• If a person is in constant pain and unable to enjoy activities they once may have enjoyed, they can be said to have a poor quality of life
• Some argue that if a person has a poor quality of life, they have a right to die
• Jesus taught to "Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself," suggesting that if one were suffering, they may want to end their life, so others should be allowed the same option
• Jesus also taught his followers to love their neighbour as they love themselves, so Euthanasia can be seen as the most loving action
• Many illnesses have no cure, and the prospect for the person suffering is that they will be in more pain in the future
• Catholics believe in the sanctity of life, that all human life is sacred and belongs to God
• Life is precious and should be respected from conception to natural death
• This belief is based on teachings from the book of Genesis and reinforced in the commandments and by St Catherine of Siena
• Catholics believe that suffering can have a purpose, as presented by St John Paul II in 'Salvifici Doloris'
• The Catholic Church believes there is a clear alternative to euthanasia: people can be supported in their dying through palliative care
• Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia are illegal in the UK