Presented by Scott McCulloch
27 October 2012
2. Table of Contents Page
1. Title page 1 2. Table of contents 2 3. Summary 3 4. Introduction 4 4.1 Objective 4 4.2 Background 4 4.3 Methods of Inquiry 4 4.4 Definition of Terms 4 5. Reasons Supporting Euthanasia 5 5.1 Suffering 5 5.1.1 Right to Refuse 5 5.2 Life Support 5 5.3 Public Opinion 6 6. Reasons Against Euthanasia 7 6.1 Loss of Autonomy 7 6.2 Conflict of Interests 7 6.3 ‘Slippery Slope’ 7 7. Conclusion 8 8. Recommendations 9 8.1 Alternatives 9 8.2 Legal Control 9 8.3 Preventing Abuse 9 9. Reference List 10
3. Summary
The findings and conclusions detailed in this report highlight the arguments for and against euthanasia. For those in favour, euthanasia offers a compassionate ending to a life of intolerable suffering, where there is no chance of improvement or recovery. They argue that those patients can be given some dignity by allowing them the right to choose when to die. Those against euthanasia fear making assisted suicide a legal practice because of the potential abuses and argue that improvements in palliative care can alleviate any suffering terminally ill patients have. They also state that allowing people the right to choose when they die will lead society on a ‘slippery slope’ to further allowances.
There are three (3) recommendations specified in this report: 1. All medical measures should be taken to relieve the suffering of the patient. 2. Legal control and strict medical guidelines. 3. Carers of terminally ill people should be investigated.
4. Introduction
This report highlights the arguments for and against euthanasia. 4.1 Objective
To report