euthanasia

euthanasia

the act of bringing about an easy n painless death

assisted suicide

when a person dies as a direct result of their own voluntary action but with the help of another person

passive euthanasia

where treatment that would help a person live longer is stopped with the idea of ending the life

non-voluntary euthanasia

when a person’s life is ended without their consent but with the consent of someone representing their interests

voluntary euthanasia

when a person’s death is directly caused by another person (perhaps a doctor) at their request and with their consent

double effect

• some doctors may give painkillers to ease suffering knowing that the dosage needed would eventually lead to death

• ​only form of euthanasia ​the Catholic Church ​will agree to

slippery slope effect

that the acceptance of certain practices, such as physician-assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia, will invariably lead to the acceptance or practice of concepts which are currently deemed unacceptable, such as non-voluntary or involuntary suicide

quality of life

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• ​QoL refers to a person’s total wellbeing. In ethical and medical contexts the term Health related quality of Life (HRQoL) is sometimes used. This focuses on how an individuals wellbeing may be affected by disease, disability or a disorder. ​

• Generally in the UK the way that QoL is assessed is by means of a concept called Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY)

sanctity of life

- John Wyatt (2009) argues that if humans are made in the image of God it means:​

• every human life has a unique dignity as humans were created by God. Life is received as an entrusted gift not a possession.​

autonomy

• dignity in dying pushes for choice and access in end-of-life services.

• a dnr order means no attempt to restart a stopped heart.

personhood

• jack mahoney's criteria for personhood:

  • rationality: ability to reason and choose.

  • sentience: ability to sense and experience.

  • emotions: feel anger/happiness.

  • free-will: decide own actions.

  • continuity: sense of past, present, future.

• peter singer's distinctions:

  • person: shows rationality, self-consciousness.

  • human: homo sapiens life form

sanctity of life vs patient autonomy

• peter singer: sanctity of life principle shifting globally.

• his five euthanasia commandments:

  • worth of life varies.

  • own decision consequences.

  • respect desire to live or die.

  • have wanted children.

  • no species discrimination.

• mill: individuals best judge of own interests.

• exceptions: selling oneself or suicide.

• mental health patients may lack judgment.

• uk: support and treatment for such patients.