Ethics, Religion and Law
Definition of euthanasia
Euthanasia is the termination of a very sick person's life in order to relieve them of their suffering. The term is derived from the Greek word euthanatos which means easy death. A person who faced euthanasia usually has a critical condition. But there are other conditions that contribute some people want their life to be ended. In many cases, it is based on the person's request but there are times when they may be too ill and the decision is made by relatives, medics or, in some instances, the courts.
The ethics of euthanasia
Euthanasia increases the number of agonising moral dilemmas such as; 1) there is right to terminate the life of the ill patient who is having severe pain and suffering? 2) What conditions can euthanasia be justifiable, if at all? And last but not least is the moral difference between killing and letting someone die.
Why euthanasia should be allowed
Those in favour of euthanasia argue that a civilised society should allow people to die in dignity and without pain, and should allow others to help them do so if they cannot manage it on their own. They say that our bodies are our own, and we should be allowed to do what we want with them. So it's wrong to make anyone live longer than they want. In fact making people go on living when they don't want to violates their personal freedom and human rights. It is immoral if let they live in suffering and pain. They claim that suicide is not a crime so euthanasia should not be a crime.
Why euthanasia should be forbidden
Religious opponents of euthanasia believe that life is given by God, and only God should decide when to end it. Other opponents fear that if euthanasia was made legal, the laws regulating it would be abused, and people would be killed who didn't really want to die.
The legal position
Euthanasia is illegal in most countries such as Britain. Sometimes doctors carry out euthanasia even it is illegal. To kill another person deliberately is murder
Euthanasia is the termination of a very sick person's life in order to relieve them of their suffering. The term is derived from the Greek word euthanatos which means easy death. A person who faced euthanasia usually has a critical condition. But there are other conditions that contribute some people want their life to be ended. In many cases, it is based on the person's request but there are times when they may be too ill and the decision is made by relatives, medics or, in some instances, the courts.
The ethics of euthanasia
Euthanasia increases the number of agonising moral dilemmas such as; 1) there is right to terminate the life of the ill patient who is having severe pain and suffering? 2) What conditions can euthanasia be justifiable, if at all? And last but not least is the moral difference between killing and letting someone die.
Why euthanasia should be allowed
Those in favour of euthanasia argue that a civilised society should allow people to die in dignity and without pain, and should allow others to help them do so if they cannot manage it on their own. They say that our bodies are our own, and we should be allowed to do what we want with them. So it's wrong to make anyone live longer than they want. In fact making people go on living when they don't want to violates their personal freedom and human rights. It is immoral if let they live in suffering and pain. They claim that suicide is not a crime so euthanasia should not be a crime.
Why euthanasia should be forbidden
Religious opponents of euthanasia believe that life is given by God, and only God should decide when to end it. Other opponents fear that if euthanasia was made legal, the laws regulating it would be abused, and people would be killed who didn't really want to die.
The legal position
Euthanasia is illegal in most countries such as Britain. Sometimes doctors carry out euthanasia even it is illegal. To kill another person deliberately is murder