Deliberately ending someone's life. Also called assisted suicide or mercy killing. The word means 'good death' or 'dying well'. It usually relates to people who are terminally ill. One view that is often expressed is that it is providing them a chance to move on before things get too grim in the here and now. Christians and Muslims are mainly against this idea because it conflicts with the idea of the sanctity of life.

5 terms for describing types of Euthanasia:



Voluntary - when it is volunteered by the person. When they make their wishes very clear - usually through a living will.

Involuntary - when it hasn't been volunteered. Being in a coma and having no expressed will is an example.

Non-voluntary - when the person is unable to volunteer - examples include young children who might not know the difference. Being in a PVS (permanent vegetative state) is the usual idea.

Passive - when the death occurs as a result of withholding treatment (in other words they die because of you NOT doing something).

Active - when the death occurs as a result of giving some treatment - like an overdose of drugs.

Suicide is not the same as euthanasia. Suicide is self-killing (DIY), not assisted.

If this is something which affects you or someone you know in any way then please talk to someone you trust. It is too big a thing to deal with on your own and often there are good things which you may not yet realise just around the corner.



The Samaritans

Arguments for
Voluntary Euthanasia Society
Living Will
The right to self-determination
Dignity for the patient
"Kill the patient, kill the pain"
Quick ending to a potentially long and painful process
It is cheaper
There might be financial benefits for the children/grandchildren
Quality of life

Arguments against
The Doctor should have his autonomy (or independence) preserved
Sanctity of life - it is murder in God's eyes
Dignity for the patient.
Financial interests confuse proper moral judgements
Voluntary might lead to compulsory
The Hippocratic Oath*
What about Harold Shipman?



*the Hippocratic Oath is something that Doctors commit to when they begin working. It is essentially about aiming to help and not harm people.

A Hospice is where someone with a terminal illness can go to receive palliative care.

Palliative care is when you aim to relieve suffering and control the symptoms that some one might be experiencing - this involves caring for the whole person (spiritual, emotional, physical).

This is different to euthanasia because it helps the person to live out their days in a more natural way.

Many Hospices (but not all) are run by Christian organisations this is because they regard the sanctity of life as being very important.



Help the Hospices is a good example to look into.

These two films provide some interesting views on this debate.

Million Dollar Baby presents euthanasia as a difficult but allowable decision due to the rough experience of the girl in the film. She is a boxer who makes an amazing step into fame before losing it all with a terrible spine injury. Her coach is faced with the difficult decision of whether to help her end things.



Murderball is a documentary about quad or wheelchair rugby. Men with severe injuries are pictured as having a very positive recovery and new thirst for life even though they have experienced hugely frustrating situations. From this film one can conclude that even if life is bad, hope and meaning can still be found.