Euthanasia

Euthanasia

This presentation will take you through the contraversies, laws in the UK and abroad and the ongoing work relating to it's legislation.

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what is euthanasia?

Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering.

It is a highly contentious issue, this is reflected by the high level of contrast in laws regarding the issue across the globe

Facts about euthanasia:

• Only 7% of countries around the globe allow euthanasia/ assissted suicide.
• The first legal case of euthanasia occurred on the 22nd September 1996, and was received by Rob Dent
• The term 'euthanasia' is derived from the Greek word ' euthanatos,' which means 'easy death.'

what is euthanasia?

There are two types of euthanasia:Voluntary: This is when someone makes a conscious decision to die and asks for help to do so. Non- voluntary: This is when someone is unable to give their consent and another person takes the decision on their behalf. This can happen when for example, someone is in a coma.

what do you know about euthanasia laws?

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what do you know about euthanasia laws?

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what do you know about euthanasia laws?

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Euthanasia laws in the UK

However, when the University of Oxford completed a survey on the general UK population, they found that 79% of people would like to have the option of euthanasia if they were dying.

Under English Law, both euthanasia and assissted suicide are illegal. These are under the terms of the 1961 Suicide Act. Euthanasia and assissted suicide is punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.

Charities, such as 'Dignity in Dying,' are campaigning for assissted dying in the UK for terminally ill patients, who are mentally competant.

Euthanasia laws in the UK

This highlights that the majority of the UK are unhappy with the current laws rregarding Euthanasia.

Nonetheless, it is essential that we look at why the law is this way

Arguments against Euthanasia

• If euthanasia is legalised, then society's perspective on the sanctity of life is likely to weaken. ( It makes life seem less worthy)
• It may lead to worse palliative care.
• Euthanasia gives too much power to doctors.
• Even if only voluntary euthansia is legalised, then this could lead to a slippery slope that eventually leads to involuntary euthanasia.

So, with all of these arguments against euthanasia, why do so many people still want to see it legalised?

Arguments for Euthanasia

• People believe that death is a private matter and there is no harm to the state or other people, therefore, other people have no right to intervene.
• It allows people to die with dignity
• Human beings should have the right to be able to decide how and when they die.
• Society allows pets to be put down when they are suffering, as an act of kindness, so the same treatment should be available to humans.
• Family and friends would be spared the pain of seeing their loved one suffer for a long period of time.

Countries where euthanasia is legalised

.Euthanasia is legal in t

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Countries in Europe where euthanasia is legal

Countries where it is legal for a doctor to prescribe medication and administer it:

• Spain
• Netherlands
• Belgium

Countries where it is legal for a doctor to prescribe medication (not administer it) :

• Switzerland
• Austria

Countries where euthanasia can occur if it has been passed through parliamentry debate after high court ruling:

• Italy
• Germany

Euthanasia laws in Canada

In Canada, it is legal for a doctor to prescribe medication that induces euthansia and administer it. A law passed in 2016, meant that individuals living with terminal illnesses can be prescribed euthanasia medication. However, 7 years on, in 2023, many doctors have been questionning whether the assissted death programme has already moved too far, too fast. This is an example of the 'slippery slope' because although many support the euthanasia rights for those who are suffering from a terminal illness, people are now concerned whether the assissted dying programme is going to extend beyond the terminally ill.

Columbia

Columbia is the only country in South America where Euthanasia is legal. This was decided in 1997, when a Constitutional Court decided that 'no person can be held criminally responsible for taking the life of a terminally ill patient who has given clear authorization to do so.' However, this has recently come under scrutiny for allowing two people to end their lives with the assisstance of doctors. These two people had serious diseases, however they were not terminal, so therfore it highlights that the law is being broken.

United States of America

In the majority of the USA, euthansia is illegal, however, in Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, Colorado, California, Hawaii, New Jersey,Maine and New Mexico medical aid in assissted dying is authorised. The Washington Death with Dignity Act allows some terminally ill patients to request and use lethal doses of medication from qualified medical providers as part of their end-of-life care. It has been found that the majority of Americans support the euthansia acts, however, they have found that it is mainly weekly churchgoers who oppose the legislation of euthanasia. This is due to their belief regarding the sanctity of life.

Australia and New Zealand

AustraliaIn Australia, Voluntary Assisted dying is legal in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. This allows those with intolerable suffering to end their life. It can be self- administered or practitioner- administered.

New Zealand In New Zealand, the 'End of Life Choice Act' was passed by parliament in 2019. This means that those who are suffering from a terminal illness, which is likely to end their life within 6 months can opt for assissted dying if approved by two doctors. This was supported by 65.2 % of voters. Therefore, highlighting it's popularity.

Current campaigns to overturn the UK legislation

There are currently campaigns in the UK, with the aim of overturning the UK legislation on euthanasia. One of these is from the charity called ' Dignity in Dying.' The charity are proposing for 'The Assisted Dying Bill' which intends to legalise assisted dying as a choice for those who are mentally competant, but terminally ill.

If this bill were to be legalised, then it would require that two independent doctors and a high court judge would have to ensure that certain regulations and requirements have been met before the medication is administered. This would allow for assisted dying to be managed in a controllled manner.

So, after reading all of this information, do you believe the UK's current euthanasia laws need to be revised?

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