The Debate on Euthanasia in the United Kingdom

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The Debate on Euthanasia in the United Kingdom One of the biggest controversies in the UK today is Euthanasia. Arguments about Euthanasia often hinge on the ‘right to life’ and ‘right to die’, should it be legalised? Originally the word Euthanasia meant ‘a gentle and easy death’, however nowadays it is ‘the act of inducing an easy death’. Why the change in meaning and everybody’s new found view that Euthanasia is in fact murder? Many people have diverse views on the issue. Humanists live by moral principles and promote happiness and fulfillment in this life; they believe that voluntary euthanasia is morally correct, whilst upholding the need for safeguards to prevent involuntary euthanasia. Other religious groups such as Christians and Roman Catholics use phrases like ‘the sanctity of life’ to justify their view that life has fundamental value and must not be destroyed. They think that there is a moral distinction between active euthanasia and omissions, which cause death (passive euthanasia), only passive is ethically permissible. Different countries have different views on Euthanasia, for example Australia and Holland have legalised Euthanasia, whereas Canada and the UK have banned it calling it murder and manslaughter! People suffering from a painful, incurable diseases sometimes wish to commit suicide but don’t actually have the physical strength or means to do so. Sufferers should have the right to choose a painless and dignified exit, either at the time or beforehand in a ‘living will’. A living will is a big part in legal aspects of Euthanasia. It can express a patient’s thoughts towards future medical treatment, it allows anyone capable of making decisions to tell doctors beforehand if they do not wish to be put on life support. We choose to do this for different reasons: religious beliefs or because of pain and suffering that we would endure. The right circumstances for choosing to end your life could be immense pain and distress, helplessness or if you would be subjected to degrading treatment. Some argue that if we permit voluntary euthanasia, involuntary

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