Post on 17-Dec-2015
By Michelle Goldsborough
EUTHANASIA
UNDERSTANDING EUTHANASIA
What is it?
Different types
Voluntary
Non-voluntary
Involuntary
DR. JACK KEVORKIAN
Right-to-die activist
Built the “Thanatron”
Admitted to “assisting” at least 130 patients
THE “THANATRON”
THOMAS YOUK CASE
Tried several times for assisted suicide
52-year old man suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease
Contacted Kevorkian requesting his “services”
Challenged the government by submitting videotape to 60 Minutes
Found guilty of second-degree murder
Thomas Youk
Kevorkian’s Mugshot
LEGALIZING EUTHANASIA
The right to
die or the right
to live?
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF EUTHANASIA
No one should be forced to live in pain and suffering.
Everyone has the right to their own bodies.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST EUTHANASIA
Patients may feel pressured into choosing this option to relieve their families.
Oregon implemented the Death with Dignity Act (1997)
DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT
Legalized physician-assisted suicide
About one-third of patients chose euthanasia to relieve their families
Unbearable pain a reason for a small number of cases
ARGUMENTS AGAINST EUTHANASIA
The focus should be on the duties we have to care for the ill and dependent.
There will be no definite way to keep it under control.
More cases of involuntary euthanasia and for illegitimate reasons
Already out of control in places where it is legalized
REPORTS FROM THE NETHERLANDS
Dutch doctors only report half of all euthanasia cases.
Three surveys determined at least 1,000 patients killed through involuntary euthanasia every year.