Assisted Suicide

Copyright © 2011 FactSet Research Systems Inc.

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

Meaning , Differences, Pros, Cons ;

Copyright © 2011 FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved. 2PRESENTATION FROM FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS

What is Euthanasia?

28/03/2012

+ Euthanasia is defined as intentional killing or omission of life of a person whose life is no longer worth living. Euthanasia is generally carried out by a doctor. The doctor administers lethal drugs, mostly by injection into the patient's body. It should be noted that euthanasia is considered illegal in most countries. There are different types of euthanasia. They are -

♦ Voluntary: The patient is competent enough to request for an euthanasia from the doctor.

♦ Involuntary: The patient who is competent enough is not consulted before the act.

♦ Non-voluntary: The patient is not competent enough to make the decision or request.

What is Assisted Suicide?

Assisted suicide is the act where the patient ends his/her own life with assistance from the doctor. This means the doctor will hand over the drugs or injections to the patient and will not administer the lethal dose himself. The patient will inject the drugs on himself/herself and this is called assisted suicide.


Difference Between Euthanasia and Assisted Killing

28/03/2012

+ From the above explanations, you must have understood the meaning of the two terms, euthanasia and assisted suicide.

+ The difference is very obscure between the two. Euthanasia is an act where the medical professional will himself administer the lethal dose, whereas, in assisted suicide, a third person, i.e., the doctor, care giver or acquaintance gives aid to the patient in the deliberate act of ending his/her life.

+ These acts are both carried out in case of terminally ill or totally disabled patients.

+ Patients who have been in coma or a vegetative state for years on end and who have no hope of coming back to consciousness are given non-voluntary euthanasia. However, they are both acts of taking life. They are considered to be morally and ethically wrong.


Support & Against

28/03/2012

+ Supportive:

+ There are many who support euthanasia and assisted suicide.

+ These people argue that a person suffering from a terminal illness or who is in considerable pain has the right to end his/her life.

+ This is only when the person is totally limited from carrying out his/her daily physical activities or is completely reliant on loved ones, care givers, etc. for their daily care.

+ These people are said to have a right to end their own lives as and when they choose.

+ The arguments for euthanasia and assisted killing are based on the right to die with dignity. These patients, if competent enough, have the right to choose the location and comforts before they are freed from their constant pain.

+ Against:

+ As there are always two sides of a coin, there are many who are totally against euthanasia and assisted suicide. The reasons against euthanasia and assisted suicide are based on religious and moral views.

+ According to the doctrines of some of the major religions around the world, suicide in any form is totally wrong and sinful. It only and only God who has the right to take away life as it is He who has given it to a person in the first place.

+ For that matter, in euthanasia too, it is a medical professional who gives the final injection to the patient, which is an indirect way of suicide. One has agreed to get killed and asked someone to do it for them.

+ Assisted suicide is also killing of oneself with the help of others.


Thank You

28/03/2012

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Assisted Suicide