2.1  Introduction to Moral Issues - Euthanasia

Euthanasia
In the dictionary euthanasia is described as 'a gentle and easy death, the bringing about of death especially in the case of incurable and painful disease'. Sometimes it is described as 'dying with dignity' or 'mercy-killing'. Euthanasia comes from two Greek words eu meaning 'well' and thanatos meaning 'death'. There are several different types of Euthanasia, all of which are illegal in Britain.

VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA
This refers to Euthanasia when they dying person requests it.

INVOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA
In contrast this type of Euthanasia refers to the situation of a person dying unwillingly or without being asked even if they are able to give one.

NON-VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA
This occurs if the dying person cannot speak for themselves.

ACTIVE EUTHANASIA
In this case something is actively done to cause a person to dies e.g. drugs, lethal injection.

PASSIVE EUTHANASIA
T his is when something is with held e.g. life support, drugs, food etc.