Euthanasia “Gentle or easy death” Physician- assisted suicide Your life is ended by your choice Or by people acting on your behalf with your interests at heart

History In past people died quite quickly and in pain Serious injuries, diseases had no cures, no medicines Now often can be cured, so life expectancy is greatly raised Doctors pledge to all that is necessary to help suffering patient

Critical questions Do we have the right to life? Basic human right and moral value Usually upheld by people and generally protected by laws of the country Or The right to die? Should doctors be allowed to help people who no longer wish to live?

However – the dilemma Need to preserve live Versus Help someone who is suffering Can the doctor do any more to preserve life? What should he do if there is little or no hope of recovery?

Hippocrates Born 460 BC in Kos, Greece Believed that illness had physical causes and rational explanation – not by evil spirits etc Believed body should be treated as a whole and not just parts Believed in natural healing processes such as fresh air, good diet cleanliness Thoughts feelings etc come from brain and not heart

Hippocratic Oath “I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgement, but never with a view to injury or harm. Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course… But I will keep pure and holy both my life and art.” (The Hippocratic Oath)

Sanctity of life Life is valuable as long as you are alive Quality is not important Life is sacred and should always be preserved as long as possible by whatever means possible. No one has the right to make judgements about the quality of life and so end it

Tasks 1. Write down the Hippocratic Oath. 2. Explain why the Hippocratic Oath creates a problem in relation to euthanasia.