English General Euthanasia Report

Report on Euthanasia

Prepared by: Shiraz Salameh

Prepared for: Mr Stanton
Date: September 17

Table of Contents
1.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .................................................................................. 2
1.1 ANALYSIS OF METHODOLOGY ........................................................................... 2
2.0 STATEMENT OF FINDINGS ...................................................................................... 2
2.1 INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED ...................................................................................... 2
2.1.1 PATIENT ......................................................................................................... 2
2.1.2 MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS .......................................................................... 3
2.1.3 FAMILY & FRIENDS ........................................................................................ 3
2.2 LAWS ..................................................................................................................... 4
2.2.1 SUPPORTING COUNTRIES ........................................................................... 4
2.2.2 OPPOSING COUNTRIES ................................................................................ 4
2.3 MORALITLY ........................................................................................................... 5
2.3.1 MERCY KILLING ........................................................................................... 5
2.3.2 THOU SHALT NOT KILL ................................................................................ 5
3.0 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................... 6
3.1 SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. 6
3.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................... 6
4.0 LIST OF REFERENCES ............................................................................................ 7

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EUTHANASIA

Euthanasia, also known as assisted suicide, physician-assisted suicide, doctor-assisted

dying, and mercy killing, means to consent on the intention of ending a life to relieve
everlasting suffering or pain. The debate about euthanasia is about the social context. The
supporting sides believe that every individual has a right to a good death whilst the
opposition believes the sanctity of a human life. The aim of this report is to inform the
Australian public above the voting age with the mental comprehension about Euthanasia
and its decisions.

1.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The steps taken to locate the information used in this report were internet researching and
searching through the articles on EBSCO.
The following research techniques were used to compile the information used in this report:
saving internet research in Microsoft Word, taking notes from articles and books.

1.1 ANALYSIS OF METHODOLOGY

The information collected from the internet was, although up to date, unreliable to an
extent as not many websites had facts and statistics in relation to Euthanasia.
However, the information found in articles was accurate and relevant.

2.0 STATEMENT OF FINDINGS

The information used in this section has been compiled from the sources in section 1.0.

2.1 INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED

2.1.1 PATIENT
The most important party in this whole issue is the patient themselves and
how they are coping with the terminal illness or disease they have. These are
the individuals who have to deal with the suffering pain and bring up the idea
of ending their own lives because of these circumstances. A coroner has
estimated that patients aged over 65 and with cancer takes their own lives
each week in Victoria. The Palliative Care Australia and the Australian
Medical Association acknowledge that all patients between 5-10% find their
suffering so unbearable that they persistently request an assisted death but
are instead given palliative and medical care that is not 100% effective.
Despite the patients true wishes, they are instead kept alive by any kind of
means possible until they end committing suicide themselves. It has been
stated multiple times that the patient is entitled to have a right/say in the
matter of assisted suicide and whether they want to or not. But these
statements are ultimately ignored as they proceed to prolong the patients life
regardless of the opinions of others. In this whole debacle, the patient is the
most important person that has an opinion and perspective as it is their life.

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2.1.2 MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

Another important participant is the medical professionals such as doctors
and nurses that may be required to administrate the process of euthanasia.
Although not close to the victim, they have the duty of carrying out this
procedure to the patient and have been trusted to assure the patients and
their families they will not abandon them if all treatments fail. When asked the
question 'do you think it is sometimes right for a doctor to take active steps to
bring about the death of a patient who has requested the doctor to do this?,
Kuhse and Singer (1988) found that sixty-four per cent of doctors surveyed,
responded in the affirmative. In relation to the poll in 1988, the NSW Nurses
and Midwives Association have stated saying they have been a long-
standing supporter of euthanasia. The poll results provide evidence that a
large majority of doctors have supported euthanasia and are willing to do the
procedure. Despite the information originating from 1988, this sentiment still
carries on with the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association as they have
stated proving that medical professionals still believe in this practice as
legitimate.

2.1.3 FAMILY & FRIENDS

The close relatives and companions of the victim are also another important
party during this whole debate as they have a personal connection with the
patient. It is this personal connection that leads to this divide in society and
families as to what the appropriate choice and decision should be. Kimsa
(2010) states that: A request for euthanasia changes not only the doctor
patient relationship, but also the relationships between patients and their
families and friends. This change is a deepening and strengthening of the
emotional commitments and relations. This relationship between the patients
friends and family is very important and it is typically whats keeping the
patient alive which is through the familys wishes. What this statement also
eludes to is the fact that families will torn apart about what happens to the
patient and whether they listen to their wishes. It is this personal connection
that is one of the many reasons that there is a divide in society and the
patients personal life.

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2.2 LAWS
2.2.1 SUPPORTING COUNTRIES
As of the date of this report, nine countries and states have legalized
euthanasia whilst another few countries have given some allowances when it
comes to assisted suicide. These countries believe it is morally right to assist
the patient in suicide when it comes to the everlasting pain of the terminal
illness they are experiencing. Three states in the US Oregon, Washington
and Montana have legalised the procedure of passive euthanasia. The
countries of Holland and Belgium have also legalised euthanasia but under
strict supervision and guidelines. In Holland, the patient must be suffering
unbearably and have no hope of improvement, they must understand the
condition and prognosis and a second doctor must be present and agree with
the decision. In Belgium, two doctors must be involved and a psychologist if
the patient is facing any sort of doubt. The parties involved can negotiate how
the procedure will work whether it is through lethal injection or prescribed
overdoes. Both Germany and Switzerland have created workarounds to
assisted suicide but has veered away from the term itself (due to historical
reason). In the German-speaking countries, it is legal as long the drug is
taken without outside assistance to the patient.

2.2.2 OPPOSING COUNTRIES

A large majority of the countries in the world have stood strong against
euthanasia and continue as such. Their stance against euthanasia is one that
is about moral right and ethical reasons. Countries like France have denied
the idea of euthanasia and assisted suicide but have looked in to the right to
die with dignity not associated with euthanasia. Other states of the US have
declared euthanasia illegal with not sort of loophole or guidelines towards.
This has caused the issues to be controversial in the country and has created
many movements to push for the legalisation of euthanasia. Public polls have
shown that about 82.5% of Australians (according to a 2012 Newspoll)
support the option of active voluntary euthanasia. This is an increase from
80% in 2010, and from 75% before the Euthanasia Laws Act was enacted.
Canada and England are similar in this debate as it is a crime to assist a
suicide. A bill in Canada was about to passed down excluding doctors for
charges of manslaughter and murder but was never passed as they feared it
create a bad reputation for their country.

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2.3 MORALITLY
2.3.1 MERCY KILLING
There is a large majority of supporters in the euthanasia that have deemed
this to be socially acceptable. Their idea behind euthanasia is that is saves
the patient the trouble of all the suffering they are experiencing and the
decision to do so in the patients and no one else. David Swanton writes in his
paper that it is the patients right as an individual in a democracy. Swanton
goes on to say the concept of individualism is fundamental to democratic
political theory. and that the denial of the right to live is an implication that the
patient does not know what is right for themselves. Voluntary euthanasia
supporters go to say that they do not assist that all people must have
voluntary euthanasia but rather have the choice.

2.3.2 THOU SHALT NOT KILL

Euthanasia on the opposing side is infamously known for its inhumane nature
of ending a life too soon. Through all the religious beliefs, all opposing
arguments do believe it to be a wrong decision for humanity both morally and
scientifically. In Peter Saunders article, he claims voluntary euthanasia
undermines the medical research needed to cure terminal illness that patients
who are calling for euthanasia have. He also goes on to say that the
procedure violates historically accepted codes of medical ethics named
Hippocratic Oath which states I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if
asked, nor suggest such counsel..... Claiming it to be unethical and calling for
condemnation by the medical profession. Religiously, Christians following the
sixth commandment understand that it forbids unauthorized killing and
authorized killing would include two situations of a holy war or capital offense.
The opposition believes we could benefit from patients who are suffering from
these illnesses by studying them and how they react to the human body so
that they can counter or eradicate the disease when it comes back. This is
also backed up with the sixth commandment that avoids unauthorized killing.

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3.0 CONCLUSION
3.1 SUMMARY
Euthanasia is a popular topic of debate and is suppressed with a lot of criticism. The
important parties in question, patient, their friends and family, and the medical
professionals all have a perspective about the procedure and how it personally
affects all of them. Countries have been seen to have openly support Euthanasia and
have legalized it but others have had to work around by coming up with other
inventive ways to commit assisted suicide. Opposing countries have stated their
stance openly even against the public that are for euthanasia. What is morally right in
this topic is a large subject of debate. Some believe that the patient has the right to
decide whilst others believe it to be breaking the sixth commandment and that the
illness could be studied to counter it later if it happens again.

3.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
The exclusion of euthanasia as a legal law is a substantial problem in Australia. The
public has been exposed to information about this issue but current campaigns to
push for it are ineffective. The only advisable option for this issue to be resolved is to
raise even more awareness about the endlessly suffering individuals that desperately
require this treatment. Personal stories of victims and others who have experienced
this firsthand to convince the need for this treatment might be a good approach.

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4.0 LIST OF REFERENCES

Reference List

Frank Brennan. (2016). New Canadian and US laws revive euthanasia debate. Retrieved
June 7, 2017 from https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/

Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal. (2016). Death and DIGNITY.

Rania Spooner and Richard Willingham (2016). Dying with dignity: Parliamentary report
recommends euthanasia laws. P.3

Unknown. (2017). Euthanasia and Assisted Dying. Retrieved June 7, 2017 from
https://www.qut.edu.au/

Peter Saunders. (Unknown). Ten Reasons Why Euthanasia Should not be Legalised.
Retrieved June 22, 2017 from https://www.righttolife.com.au/index.php

Pete Saunders. (2015). Chapter 2 - Thou Shalt Not Kill - The Christian case against
compassionate killing. Retrieved June 19, 2017 from https://www.cmf.org.uk/

Unknown. (2011). Euthanasia illegal in many countries. Retrieved June 22, 2017 from
http://www.deccanherald.com/

Derek Humphry. (2010). World Laws on Assisted Suicide. Retrieved June 22, 2017 from
http://www.finalexit.org/index.html

South Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society. (Unknown). FACTSHEET 10: The Facts
about Voluntary Euthanasia: Dispelling Myths

Riaz Hassan (Unknown). EUTHANASIA AND THE MEDICAL PROFESSION: AN

AUSTRALIAN STUDY. P.3

Guardian Staff. (2015). Euthanasia and assisted suicide laws around the world.
Retrieved June 22, 2017 from https://www.theguardian.com/au

David Swanton. (2014). Euthanasia. Retrieved June 22, 2017 from

https://www.ethicalrights.com/

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