MEDIA MEDIA MEDIA MEDIA –––– EUTHANISIA FACTSEUTHANISIA FACTSEUTHANISIA FACTSEUTHANISIA FACTS

EuthanasiaEuthanasiaEuthanasiaEuthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering.

There are different euthanasia laws in each country. The British House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics defines euthanasia as "a deliberate intervention undertaken with the express intention of ending a life, to relieve intractable suffering".[1] In the Netherlands, euthanasia is understood as "termination of life by a doctor at the request of a patient".[2]

Euthanasia is categorized in different ways, which include voluntary, non-voluntary, or involuntary. Voluntary euthanasia is legal in some countries and U.S. states. Non-voluntary euthanasia is illegal in all countries. Involuntary euthanasia is usually considered murder.[3]

NONNONNONNON----VOLENTARY=VOLENTARY=VOLENTARY=VOLENTARY= IF SOMEONE IS ‘BRAINDEAD’ PER SAY; THEY CANT GIVE THEIR OWN CONSENT BUT BASED ON WHAT THEY WOULD WANT OR WHAT THE NEXT OF KIN SAYS WOULD BE FOR THE BEST.

VOLENTARY=VOLENTARY=VOLENTARY=VOLENTARY= WHEN THEY SAY IT’S OK

INVOLENTARY=INVOLENTARY=INVOLENTARY=INVOLENTARY= ‘ALMOST’ MURDER – WHERE THE PERSON IS ABLE TO HAVE A SAY HOWEVER THEY DO NOT WISH TO DIE, HOWEVER PUT DOWN ANYWAY.

EUTHINASIA IN NAZI GERMANY

Hitler - “be left to the chance encounter of a drunken moment. [...] If, nevertheless, it turns out that the newborn baby is a weak and misbegotten child, the medical council, which decides on citizenship for the community, should prepare a gentle death for it, say, using a little dose of morphine”

Richard von Hegener - "As early as about half a year before the outbreak of the war, there were more and more requests from incurably sick or very seriously injured people who asked for relief from their suffering, which was unbearable to them. These requests were especially tragic, because under existing laws a doctor was not allowed to take such wishes into account. Because the department, as we were reminded again and again, was under Hitler's orders to deal on precisely with such cases that could not be resolved legally, Dr. Hefelmann and I felt committed, after a while to take a number of such requests to Hitler's personal physician, the then senior doctor, Dr. Brandt, for him to submit and obtain a decision from Hitler on what should be done with such requests. Soon afterwards, Dr. Brandt told us that Hitler had decided, following this presentation, to grant such requests if it was proven by the doctor attending the patient as well as the newly formed health committee, that the suffering was incurable."[12]

That in all cases of hopeless and painful illness, it should be the recognized duty of the medical attendant, whenever so desired by the patient, to administer chloroform or such other anesthetic as may by-and-bye supersede chloroform – so as to destroy consciousness at once, and put the sufferer to a quick and painless death; all needful precautions being adopted to prevent any possible abuse of such duty; and means being taken to establish, beyond the possibility of doubt or question, that the remedy was applied at the express wish of the patient. —Samuel Williams (1872), Euthanasia Williams and Northgate: London.[32]:794

ACTION T4

The T4 programme is thought to have developed from the Nazi Party's policy of "racial hygiene", the belief that the German people needed to be "cleansed" of "racially unsound" elements, which included people with disabilities. According to this view, the euthanasia programme represents an evolution in policy toward the later Holocaust of the Jews of Europe.

Racial hygienist ideas were far from unique to the Nazi movement. The ideas of social Darwinism were widespread in all western countries in the early 20th century, and the eugenics movement had many followers among educated people, being particularly strong in the United States. The idea of sterilising those carrying hereditary defects or exhibiting what was thought to be hereditary antisocial behaviour was widely accepted, and was put into law in the United States, Sweden, Switzerland and other countries. For example, between 1935 and 1975, 63,000 people were sterilised on eugenic grounds in Sweden.[14]

The idea of enforcing "racial hygiene" had been an essential element of Hitler's ideology from its earliest days. In his book Mein Kampf (1924), Hitler wrote:

He who is bodily and mentally not sound and deserving may not perpetuate this misfortune in the bodies of his children. The völkische [people's] state has to perform the most gigantic rearing-task here. One day, however, it will appear as a deed greater than the most victorious wars of our present bourgeois era.[15]

The Nazi regime began to implement "racial hygienist" policies as soon as it came to power. The July 1933 "Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring" prescribed compulsory sterilisation for people with a range of conditions thought to be hereditary, such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, Huntington's chorea and "imbecility". Sterilisation was also mandated for chronic alcoholism and other forms of social deviance.[16] This law was administered by the Interior Ministry under Wilhelm Frick through special Hereditary Health Courts (Erbgesundheitsgerichte), which examined the inmates of nursing homes, asylums, prisons, aged care homes and special schools to select those to be sterilised.

DIGNITY IN DYING - http://www.dignityindying.org.uk/

WE WE WE WE live in a free society with all the choices that go with it.live in a free society with all the choices that go with it.live in a free society with all the choices that go with it.live in a free society with all the choices that go with it. We choose when to marry, We choose when to marry, We choose when to marry, We choose when to marry, have children, what treatment we should have, where to live, who to consult for advice, in have children, what treatment we should have, where to live, who to consult for advice, in have children, what treatment we should have, where to live, who to consult for advice, in have children, what treatment we should have, where to live, who to consult for advice, in fact how we should live our lives. This should include the opportunity to choose the time fact how we should live our lives. This should include the opportunity to choose the time fact how we should live our lives. This should include the opportunity to choose the time fact how we should live our lives. This should include the opportunity to choose the time

we die.”we die.”we die.”we die.” Simon Weston OBE, Dignity in Dying Patron

Heather PrattenHeather PrattenHeather PrattenHeather Pratten

Heather tells how she helped her son Nigel to dieHeather tells how she helped her son Nigel to dieHeather tells how she helped her son Nigel to dieHeather tells how she helped her son Nigel to die

My son Nigel had the hereditary degenerative neurological disorder, Huntington's My son Nigel had the hereditary degenerative neurological disorder, Huntington's My son Nigel had the hereditary degenerative neurological disorder, Huntington's My son Nigel had the hereditary degenerative neurological disorder, Huntington's diseasediseasediseasedisease....

We'd both watched my husband die from the illness and knew the distress and agony it We'd both watched my husband die from the illness and knew the distress and agony it We'd both watched my husband die from the illness and knew the distress and agony it We'd both watched my husband die from the illness and knew the distress and agony it could cause. could cause. could cause. could cause. Nigel knew what was going on and that he did not want to be around to suffer Nigel knew what was going on and that he did not want to be around to suffer Nigel knew what was going on and that he did not want to be around to suffer Nigel knew what was going on and that he did not want to be around to suffer anymore. On his 42nd birthday he told me the best present I could give him would be to anymore. On his 42nd birthday he told me the best present I could give him would be to anymore. On his 42nd birthday he told me the best present I could give him would be to anymore. On his 42nd birthday he told me the best present I could give him would be to end his life. He didn't want to die alone. I tried to persuade him against it but I would noend his life. He didn't want to die alone. I tried to persuade him against it but I would noend his life. He didn't want to die alone. I tried to persuade him against it but I would noend his life. He didn't want to die alone. I tried to persuade him against it but I would not t t t let him die alone and promised him I would not let him fail. Looking back I still believe that let him die alone and promised him I would not let him fail. Looking back I still believe that let him die alone and promised him I would not let him fail. Looking back I still believe that let him die alone and promised him I would not let him fail. Looking back I still believe that it was his right to choose.it was his right to choose.it was his right to choose.it was his right to choose.

Other people have tried to end their lives and failed and then been left in an even worse Other people have tried to end their lives and failed and then been left in an even worse Other people have tried to end their lives and failed and then been left in an even worse Other people have tried to end their lives and failed and then been left in an even worse situation than they were previously in. Isituation than they were previously in. Isituation than they were previously in. Isituation than they were previously in. I was put on bail for murder for being with Nigel was put on bail for murder for being with Nigel was put on bail for murder for being with Nigel was put on bail for murder for being with Nigel and putting a pillow over his face when he lost consciousness from the overdose. In the end and putting a pillow over his face when he lost consciousness from the overdose. In the end and putting a pillow over his face when he lost consciousness from the overdose. In the end and putting a pillow over his face when he lost consciousness from the overdose. In the end I was charged with aiding and abetting a suicide and received a conditional discharge for 1 I was charged with aiding and abetting a suicide and received a conditional discharge for 1 I was charged with aiding and abetting a suicide and received a conditional discharge for 1 I was charged with aiding and abetting a suicide and received a conditional discharge for 1 year.year.year.year.

I wish that NigelI wish that NigelI wish that NigelI wish that Nigel could have asked a doctor to help him to die legally and peacefully.could have asked a doctor to help him to die legally and peacefully.could have asked a doctor to help him to die legally and peacefully.could have asked a doctor to help him to die legally and peacefully.

Our visionOur visionOur visionOur vision

We believe that everyone has the right to a dignified death. This means:We believe that everyone has the right to a dignified death. This means:We believe that everyone has the right to a dignified death. This means:We believe that everyone has the right to a dignified death. This means:

• ChoiceChoiceChoiceChoice ---- over where we die, who is present and our treatment options.over where we die, who is present and our treatment options.over where we die, who is present and our treatment options.over where we die, who is present and our treatment options.

• AccessAccessAccessAccess ---- to expert information to expert information to expert information to expert information on our options, good quality endon our options, good quality endon our options, good quality endon our options, good quality end----ofofofof----life care, and support for loved life care, and support for loved life care, and support for loved life care, and support for loved ones and carers.ones and carers.ones and carers.ones and carers.

• ControlControlControlControl ---- over how we die, our symptoms and pain relief, and planning our own deathover how we die, our symptoms and pain relief, and planning our own deathover how we die, our symptoms and pain relief, and planning our own deathover how we die, our symptoms and pain relief, and planning our own death

DIGNITAS DIGNITAS DIGNITAS DIGNITAS

DignitasDignitasDignitasDignitas is a Swiss assisted dying group that helps those with terminal illness and severe physical and mental illnesses to die assisted by qualified doctors and nurses. Additionally, they provide assisted suicide for people provided that they are of sound judgment and submit to an in-depth medical report prepared by a psychiatrist that establishes the patient's condition, as required by Swiss courts.

METHOD METHOD METHOD METHOD –––– In general, Dignitas uses the following protocol to assist suicides: an oral dose of an antiemetic drug, followed approximately 45 seconds later by a lethal overdose of powdered pentobarbital dissolved in a glass of water or fruit juice. If necessary, the drugs can be ingested via a drinking straw. The pentobarbital overdose depresses the central nervous system, causing the person to become drowsy and fall asleep within 5 minutes of drinking it. Anesthesia progresses to coma as the person's breathing becomes shallow. Death is caused by respiratory arrest, which occurs within 30 minutes of ingesting the pentobarbital.

In a few cases in 2008, Dignitas used breathing helium gas[4] as a suicide method instead of a pentobarbital overdose. This avoids the need for medical supervision and prescription controlled drugs, and is therefore cheaper.[5]

21% of people receiving assisted dying in Dignitas do not have a terminal or progressive illness, but rather "weariness of life".[6]

NHS - http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Euthanasiaandassistedsuicide/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering. Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering. Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering. Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering.

For example, a doctor who gives a patient who has terminal cancer an overdose of muscle relaxants to end their life would be considered to have carried out euthanasia.

Assisted suicide is the act of deliberately assisting or encouraging another person who commits, or attempts to commit, suicide.

If a relative of a person with a terminal illness were to obtain powerful sedatives, knowing that the person intended to take an overdose of sedatives to kill themselves, they would be assisting suicide.

Legal positionLegal positionLegal positionLegal position

Both euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal under English law.

Depending on the circumstances, euthanasia is regarded as either manslaughter or murder and is punishable by law with a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment.

Assisted suicide is illegal under the terms of the Suicide Act (1961) and is punishable by up to 14 years' imprisonment. Attempting to commit suicide is not a criminal act in itself.

Types of euthanasiaTypes of euthanasiaTypes of euthanasiaTypes of euthanasia

Euthanasia can be classified in different ways, including:

• active euthanasiaactive euthanasiaactive euthanasiaactive euthanasia – where a person deliberately intervenes to end someone’s life, for example, by injecting them with sedatives

• passive euthanasiapassive euthanasiapassive euthanasiapassive euthanasia – where a person causes death by withholding or withdrawing treatment that is necessary to maintain life, such as withholding antibiotics in someone with pneumonia

Euthanasia can also be classified as:

• vovovovoluntary euthanasialuntary euthanasialuntary euthanasialuntary euthanasia – where a person makes a conscious decision to die and asks for help to do this

• nonnonnonnon----voluntary euthanasiavoluntary euthanasiavoluntary euthanasiavoluntary euthanasia – where a person is unable to give their consent (for example, because they are in a coma or are severely brain damaged) and another person takes the decision on their behalf, often because the ill person previously expressed a wish for their life to be ended in such circumstances

• involuntary euthanasiainvoluntary euthanasiainvoluntary euthanasiainvoluntary euthanasia – where a person is killed against their expressed wishes

Depending on the circumstances, voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia could be regarded as either voluntary manslaughter (where someone kills another person but circumstances can partly justify their actions) or murder.

Involuntary euthanasia is almost always regarded as murder.

There are arguments used by both supporters and opponents of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Arguments for euthanasia and assisted suicideArguments for euthanasia and assisted suicideArguments for euthanasia and assisted suicideArguments for euthanasia and assisted suicide

There are two main types of argument used to support the practices of euthanasia and assisted suicide. They are the:

• ethical argumentethical argumentethical argumentethical argument – that people should have freedom of choice, including the right to control their own body and life (as long as they do not abuse any other person’s rights), and that the state should not create laws that prevent people being able to choose when and how they die

• pragmatic argumentpragmatic argumentpragmatic argumentpragmatic argument – that euthanasia, particularly passive euthanasia, is already a widespread practice (allegedly), just not one that people are willing to admit to, so it is better to regulate euthanasia properly

There are arguments both for and against euthanasia and asThere are arguments both for and against euthanasia and asThere are arguments both for and against euthanasia and asThere are arguments both for and against euthanasia and assisted suicide.sisted suicide.sisted suicide.sisted suicide.

Some of the main arguments are outlined below. You should be aware that these arguments do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of NHS Choices or the Department of Health.

Arguments for euthanasia and assisted suicideArguments for euthanasia and assisted suicideArguments for euthanasia and assisted suicideArguments for euthanasia and assisted suicide

There are two main types of argument used to support the practices of euthanasia and assisted suicide. They are the:

• ethical argumentethical argumentethical argumentethical argument – that people should have freedom of choice, including the right to control their own body and life (as long as they do not abuse any other person’s rights), and that the state should not create laws that prevent people being able to choose when and how they die

• pragmatic argumentpragmatic argumentpragmatic argumentpragmatic argument – that euthanasia, particularly passive euthanasia, is already a widespread practice (allegedly), just not one that people are willing to admit to, so it is better to regulate euthanasia properly

The pragmatic argument is discussed in more detail below.

Pragmatic argumentPragmatic argumentPragmatic argumentPragmatic argument

The pragmatic argument states that many of the practices used in end of life care are a type of euthanasia in all but name.

For example, there is the practice of making a ‘do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation' (DNACPR) order, where a person requests not to receive treatment if their heart stops beating or they stop breathing.

Critics have argued that DNACPR is a type of passive euthanasia because a person is denied treatment that could potentially save their life.

Another controversial practice is known as palliative sedation. This is where a person who is experiencing extreme suffering, for which there is no effective

treatment, is put to sleep using sedative medication. For example, palliative sedation is often used to treat burns victims who are expected to die.

While palliative sedation is not directly carried out for the purpose of ending lives, many of the sedatives used carry a risk of shortening a person’s lifespan. Therefore, it could be argued that palliative sedation is a type of active euthanasia.

The pragmatic argument is that if euthanasia in these forms is being carried out anyway, society might as well legalize it and ensure that it is properly regulated.

It should be stressed that the above interpretations of DNACPR and palliative sedation are very controversial and are not accepted by most doctors, nurses and palliative care specialists.

Read more about the alternatives to euthanasia for responses to these interpretations.

Arguments against euthanasia and assisted suicideArguments against euthanasia and assisted suicideArguments against euthanasia and assisted suicideArguments against euthanasia and assisted suicide

There are four main types of argument used by people who are against euthanasia and assisted suicide. They are known as the:

• rrrreligious argumenteligious argumenteligious argumenteligious argument – that these practices can never be justified for religious reasons, for example many people believe that only God has the right to end a human life

• ‘slippery slope’ argument‘slippery slope’ argument‘slippery slope’ argument‘slippery slope’ argument – this is based on the concern that legalizing euthanasia could lead to significant unintended changes in our healthcare system and society at large that we would later come to regret

• medical ethics argumentmedical ethics argumentmedical ethics argumentmedical ethics argument – that asking doctors, nurses or any other healthcare professional to carry out euthanasia or assist in a suicide would be a violation of fundamental medical ethics

• alternative argumentalternative argumentalternative argumentalternative argument – that there is no reason for a person to suffer either mentally or physically because effective end of life treatments are available; therefore, euthanasia is not a valid treatment option but represents a failure on the part of the doctor involved in a person’s care

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