Examination of the Main Issues of the Euthanasia Debate...

Examination of the Main Issues of the Euthanasia Debate Introduction Talk of suicide and euthanasia has long been the focus of media attention. Recently this debate has been furthermore justified with the advent of European clinics that specialise in professional mercy killings for the terminally ill and those suffering incurable pain. To add to this, suicide rates in this country are ever increasing, with this being one of the ten most common causes of death in the UK. More worrying is the increasingly high number of adolescent youth and young men, who being particularly prone to depression, take their own lives. With the fact that it is still deemed as morally wrong, it must be†¦show more content†¦One way in which we can all look into these issues is to imagine the situation happening within our lives. How would you feel given the option of life or death? If life is intolerable and you see the suffering on family and friends, what decision would you like to make? Should politicians, who have no personal interest, be able to decide our fate? The term euthanasia means the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit. (The key word here is intentional. If death is not intended, it is not an act of euthanasia). Voluntary euthanasia is when the person who is killed has requested to be killed. Non-voluntary: When the person who is killed made no request and gave no consent. Involuntary euthanasia: When the person who is killed made an expressed wish to the contrary. Assisted suicide: Someone provides an individual with the information, guidance, and means to take his or her own life with the intention that they will be used for this purpose. When it is a doctor who helps another person to kill themselves it is called physician assisted suicide. Euthanasia By Action: Intentionally causing a persons death by performing an action such as by giving a lethal injection. 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