Task 1 What is the issue: Explain what it is about, either Euthanasia / Abortion / Death Euthanasia is a process / service in which a person that is suffering due to their terminal illness or a painful disease, can ask a doctor to intentionally end their life in an easy and painless manner; mostly done through the use of medication. The process / service is legal depending on the country and can only be administered to certain ages depending on the countries law. Euthanasia is also known as physician assisted dying / suicide or mercy killing. What are the people saying about it? Pros The people that are not against / pro-euthanasia, explain that euthanasia should be allowed due to four reasons: The patients fear of losing personal autonomy, fear of suffering due to disease, freedom of one’s life and cost of treatment to prolong life. The reason that euthanasia should be allowed is due to patients fearing the loss of personal autonomy. Personal autonomy means,” the capacity to be one’s own person.”; being able to make rational and informed decisions for one’s self. The idea of being able to think and make decisions for ourselves is important to these patients, as being independent and being in control with your life feels empowering. Thus, the idea of losing personal autonomy and having to rely on friends or family to make rational decisions for them is what some patients fear the most. Having to rely on others to do the most basic of tasks must take a toll on the patients mentally, as it makes them feel powerless and worthless. Other patients instead might fear that they are burdening their family as they cannot help themselves. Legalizing euthanasia for these types of patients will give the patient personal autonomy; a choice on whether they should undergo euthanasia or not. So in the event that the patient were to lose their personal autonomy, they can pass away peacefully knowing that they were able to make a rational decision for themselves. The other reason that people are for euthanasia is because of patients that fear suffering due to their terminal illness. To some patients, the idea of having have an illness that they cannot handle; making their lives unbearable to the point that medicine and medical treatments have no effect in relieving that pain is what they these patients want to avoid. Every patient is different, and their tolerance to pain will vary depending on what kind of terminal illness they are fighting, but to some of these patients they just don’t want to feel pain. Others might not see the worth in prolonging their own life when the pain from either the illness or medical treatments torments them each day. Such examples of illness that could lead to this are, “disease-related symptoms were given as the most important reason by 39.0% of patients with malignancies, 6.8% of patients with neurological diseases, and 28.9% of patients with end-organ failure” ( A case study by CFP (Canada Family Physician)). Euthanasia gives these patients an option to relieve their pain and suffering when the pain is too much to handle or prevent feeling pain in the first place. Another reason that people are for euthanasia is that patients have the right to freedom of choice. Many who are for euthanasia, believe that patients with “incurable, degenerative, disabling or debilitating condition should be allowed to die with dignity”. Like the patients that fear losing personal autonomy and fear suffering due to disease, they find it best that should have the option / freedom to opt for euthanasia or not. Limiting the patients freedom of choice will only worsen their mental state, as the idea of death is already hard to accept for most patients (explain the “end game scene”), as well as having to prolong their life but live in pain waiting for a cure to some patients is not ideal. Banning euthanasia to patients restricts them of potential options for dealing with their illness or disease. Thus, limiting the patients right to choose how and when they want to pass away, as many patients value how and when they want to pass away. The last reason people are for euthanasia is that the cost of medical treatments to prolong life or cure the illness / disease is too expensive. In general medical treatments are expensive by default, but finding medical treatments for uncurable illnesses / diseases and medical treatments to help prolong the patient’s life could go up exponentially. Knowing this, patients might feel like they are a burden to their family, since they are spending so much money not knowing whether they will be cured or not. Even worse, the price may vary, according to Arcadia Healthcare Solutions,” 40% of patients died in the hospital: $32,379” whereas alternative places like a hospice, nursing facility and ER were far more affordable. This could put unnecessary stress on some patients, not putting them in a good state of mind. Allowing the option for euthanasia will help patients pass without regrets and depending on their disease / illness they can be with their family more. Cons People who are against / non-euthanasia, should not be allowed for varies reasons such as: Euthanasia devalues human life, it is not best option and there are better alternatives and the belief things will get better overtime. The reason people are against euthanasia is because it devalues human life. Euthanasia takes death too lightly, valuing the patient’s life to be not meaningful or important. Thus, creating a morbid idea among patients, believing that euthanasia is the best way in dealing with the illnesses / diseases that is incurable. The idea blindsides the patient from seeing the negative effects especially with family. It could make individuals in the family sad or upset over the fact a family member or friend opt to leave early (chose euthanasia) and not stay with them for the limited time they have. This devaluing of human life does not take our life for granted, and our lives and others around us should be seen with great importance; not something that should be overlooked. Patients should appreciate the time they have, enjoy time with family and friends making every moment worthwhile. Another reason that people are against euthanasia, is that there are better alternatives for terminally ill patients. Such alternative options is palliative care, it helps patients who suffer with serious complex illness such as, cancer or heart disease, live as well as possible for long as possible. Patients in palliative care may receive medical treatment for their illness. Palliative care does not solely focus on the illness but also the whole person. They will support the patient by providing them with all the necessary information, help support their family if need; support the patients mentally, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. A hospice is another alternative which is similar to palliative care, excerpted from American Cancer Society, “Hospice care is a special kind of care that focuses on the quality of life for people and their caregivers who are experiencing an advanced, life-limiting illness. Hospice care provides compassionate care for people in the last phases of incurable disease so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible.” Euthanasia helps only to relieve the patients pain and nothing more; whereas, palliative care and hospices help patients transition when they pass. People against euthanasia, believe that things will get better overtime. Patients with family members might opt for euthanasia, as some are not able to stand seeing their loved one suffer due to their illness / disease. However, people should not give up on the terminal ill and instead fight on. For example, in a Netflix documentary called, ‘Endgame’, a man named, Hamid, is married to Mitra. Mitra is struggling to fight against cancer, doctors are giving Hamid an option whether to prolong the cancer treatment or cease all cancer treatment and provide care from home. Hamid believes that her wife is a fighter and she is not ready to give up yet, and that they still have a chance to fight the cancer through treatment. Hamid loves her wife very much does not want to let her go, and does not want to stop the cancer treatment. Hamid shows that we should fight on and have positive mind. Though they are suffering now, maybe later on their health might improve and no longer suffer as much. Might as well try than not try, as there is a likely chance that one will regret their decision for ending the person’s life early. Why is it an issue? Percentage of people Stories / opinions Statistics Our moral principles is an important part of being human. These principles are how we justify whether an action by a individual is right or wrong, and this will be different to person to person and might be similar to another. Since this is the case, peoples opinions on euthanasia will fall under two sides: the people who are for or against Euthanasia. According to the BBC’s, ‘GCSE Euthanasia’, in 2010, “82% of religious and non-religious people support euthanasia law for terminally ill patients” of which 46% were non-religious and 36% were religious; living 18% against euthanasia. In New Zealand, Euthanasia plays with our moral principles since we do not know if the bad out weights the good or the good out weights the bad. Euthanasia has so many positive and negative effects for patients that have incurable illnesses that its too complex. Euthanasia is an issue because of how people cannot justify whether the action is good or bad. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Task 2 What is the church saying about the issue? What options we have? Catechism Encyclical Explanation of the church Church teachings Scriptures Church and government options Explain in detail Why does the churches stand on Euthanasia make sense? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Task 3 Evaluate the issue and options Give statistics What are the positive effects of the teaching and options of the church? Provide real stories ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Task 4 Conclusion and wider implications What are your suggestions? What will be the effects to the community / country / world if we follow the church’s stance? Do you think that the Church’s stand and suggestions on Euthanasia effective? Why or Why not? What conclusion can you make using the information and data?
