Essay On Euthanasia

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Section A – Investigation and Research 1. Define Euthanasia: a) Euthanasia refers to the painless and deliberate killing of an individual who is suffering from an incurable and painful disease or are in a permanent coma. There are two types of euthanasia, compulsory and voluntary. Compulsory Euthanasia refers to when other people decide when a person’s life will end. Voluntary Euthanasia is when the individual him/her self decide when to die. Outline the reasons for and against euthanasia b) Euthanasia is perceived by society in both positive and negative ways. Arguments for Euthanasia include, patients have the right to choose when they believe they are ready to die. It also allows them the right to ‘die with dignity’ rather then forcing them to live their life suffering a painful illness. It also introduced the idea that euthanasia can’t be taken advantage of, as it will be protected and controlled by government legislations. Arguments against Euthanasia include that instead of euthanasia there are alternative treatments available such as palliative care and hospices. It also suggests that to remove or minimise symptoms you do not have to kill the patient, and with todays advances in technology and medicine nearly all pain can be relieved. There is also the hazard and risk that by giving the doctors the power to decide if the patient’s life is not worth living, this may lead them from voluntary euthanasia to involuntary euthanasia. Similarly the notion that patients have the right to die imposes the doctor the duty to kill therefore restricting the independence of the doctor’s decision. 2. Briefly outline the history of the euthanasia debate in Australia. Assess the influence of Christianity as a ... ... middle of paper ... ... time to die emphasising the fact that we should let events follow its natural course instead of taking it into our own hands. The image of a humans body being a temple shows individuals that they must cherish their bodies and sustain themselves as they are made in the image of God, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.” The bible shows that regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, Christians are seen to be the children of God and thus are all equally valuable, Ecclesiastes 7:17 “Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?” Therefore majority of Christians oppose the idea of Euthanasia solely based on their morals and ethics which have been derived from the Bible.

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