euthanasia Key Words Learning objective: To know the UK law on euthanasia; To know key terms Key Words Active euthanasia Passive euthanasia

Euthanasia - the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering (from the Greek meaning ‘good death’)

Initial thoughts Should we have the right to die? Should life be preserved at all costs? Is life ever not worth living? Should assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia be legal in the UK?

The law What is the current legal position in the UK? Euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal under English law The Suicide Act 1961 makes it a criminal offence in England and Wales to: Aid, abet, counsel or procure the suicide of another or an attempt of another to commit suicide. – SUICIDE ACT 1961 Anyone caught doing so could face up to 14 years in prison The law is almost identical in Northern Ireland Campaigners in Scotland argue the law there lacks clarity An Assisted Dying Bill was rejected by the Scottish Parliament in May 2015 https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/sep/11/mps-begin-debate-assisted-dying-bill

http://www. telegraph. co http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10212975/Right-to-die-law-must-clarify-whether-doctors-can-aid-euthanasia.html http://request.org.uk/issues/life-and-death/euthanasia-discover-the-views-of-three-christian-professionals/

What are the key issues surrounding the issue of euthanasia? Sanctity of life Quality of life Personhood Autonomy and the right to die Voluntary/non-voluntary euthanasia Active/passive killing Application of natural law

For and against

Active vs. passive killing What is the difference? The Smith and Jones example (James Rachels, 1975, p.493) runs as follows; Smith and Jones would be in line to get an inheritance if their 6 year old cousin wasn’t around. The pair separately decide to try and kill the young man, thereby clearing the way for them to receive the inheritance. In one scenario and outcome Smith waits for the cousin to have a bath, and then sneaks in and drowns him, making the death look accidental. In the other scenario and outcome, Jones waits for the cousin to have a bath, but as he walks into the bathroom to drown him, finds the cousin has slipped over, knocking himself unconscious and lying face down in the bath, already in the process of drowning. Instead of helping him (or assisting with the drowning process already occurring), Jones merely lets the cousin drown ‘accidentally’ thereby accomplishing the deed without action. Is there a moral difference?

Rachels’ point is that there is no moral difference between Smith’s action of drowning the cousin (killing) and Jones inaction of stopping the cousin from drowning (letting die), each of them are just as (morally) responsible for the cousin’s death. How far do you agree? Summarise the example in your notes and write down how far you agree with Rachels. How does this link to the issue of euthanasia?

http://www. dailymotion http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnu340_terry-pratchett-choosing-to-die_shortfilms

Homework Learn the definitions of the key terms on page 230 of the blue book