ipl-logo

Argument Against Active Euthanasia

1231 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Passive euthanasia

1 Introduction
Active euthanasia is brought about when an individual administers or aids in the administration of a lethal substance to another ill or suffering individual. Stansham-Ford v Minister of Justice and Correctional Services (“Stansham-Ford) deals with the application for an order allowing such euthanasia to happen. The judgement of Fabricius J held that so long as certain requirements are met this order should be granted. Considering factors such as the right to life and the right to human dignity in light of this judgement the question is raised as to whether this active euthanasia should be allowed?
2 Current case
Stansham-Ford deals with the application to be granted an order allowing a recognised medical practitioner to …show more content…

Also, the fact that the persons last action was a voluntary act does not mean that the other person is not guilty of a crime, Ex parte Minister van Justisie: In re S v Grotjohn .
Thus, the need for the development of the current common law to bring it in line with the current provision contained in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (“the Constitution”). Section 39 of the Constitution makes provision for the development common law to promote a society based on equality, freedom and human dignity.
The right at the centre of this discussion is the right to human dignity, specifically an individual’s right to die with dignity. There are also many sections in the Constitution that are concerned with the inherent right to human dignity. Firstly, section 1 of the Constitution which states South Africa is a republic based on values such as human dignity. Secondly, section 7(1) of the Constitution that states that human dignity is one of the democratic values enshrined in the Bill of Rights. Thirdly, section 10 of the Constitution which states that everyone has an inherent right to human dignity which must be respected and protected. Fourth, section 12(1)(e) of the Constitution that states that no-one is to be treated in a which could be seen as cruel, inhuman or degrading and section12(2)(b) of the Constitution …show more content…

It would provide an individual who is suffering a death with dignity, the ability to choose to end their life without suffering and so that their family does not associate them with such a pitiful image. It also would be respecting of the rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Bill of Rights, especially the right to life, dignity and freedom of security of person. The allowance of such active euthanasia, without the prosecution of those assisting would be in line with the protection provided by the constitution. I, therefore, agree with the judgement of Fabricius in Stansham-Ford. I do however, believe that such acts should be subject to strict regulations and should be control by the creation of appropriate legislation to ensured that a person’s rights and freedoms are

Show More
Related
903 Words | 4 Pages

To provide more light on to the issues with the probation of assisted suicide, an intervenor called Dying with Dignity (DWD) takes the stance with the trial judge and believes in the right to have assisted deaths legalized within Canada. They wish to have it apart of the health care system, but emphasizes, just like Smith, that there must be safeguards that are meticulously enforced and reviewed. They have five submissions that expresses their thoughts and position within the decisions and thoughts behind the SCC Carter case: 1) they believe that the right to life also includes the right to die with dignity. Life should be interpreted broadly and that should also include how it ends. DWD argue that by placing a ban on assisted suicide determines

Read More
1252 Words | 6 Pages

Assisted suicide is a rather controversial issue in contemporary society. When a terminally ill patient formally requests to be euthanized by a board certified physician, an ethical dilemma arises. Can someone ethically end the life of another human being, even if the patient will die in less than six months? Unlike traditional suicide, euthanasia included multiple individuals including the patient, doctor, and witnesses, where each party involved has a set of legal responsibilities. In order to understand this quandary and eventually reach a conclusion, each party involved must have their responsibilities analyzed and the underlying guidelines of moral ethics must be investigated.

Read More
1120 Words | 5 Pages

Correspondingly, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights depend on dignity, equality and mutual respect – regardless of your nationality, your religion or your beliefs. Your rights are tied in with being dealt with reasonably and treating others decently, and being able to make on decisions about your own life. These fundamental human rights are: Universal; They have a place with every one of us; They can't be detracted from us, Indivisible and independent Governments should not have the capacity to choose

Read More
714 Words | 3 Pages

“Death with dignity is a human right: to retain control until the very end and, if the quality of your life is too poor, to decide to end your suffering; the dignity comes from exercising the choice.” says Jason Barber, whose wife, Kathleen Barber, died in his arms. He had one question in mind when she died. What was he going to say if someone asked him how she died? Whether she went peacefully? He decided to tell people that his wife died in peace, without any pain or suffering.

Read More
937 Words | 4 Pages

The possible legalization of euthanasia can cause a great disturbance in how people view life and death and the simplicity of how they would treat it. "There are many fairly severely handicapped people for whom a simple, affectionate life is possible." (Foot, p. 94) As demonstrated, the decision of terminating a person 's life is a very fragile and difficult one, emotionally and mentally. Nevertheless, it’s a choice we can make if it is passive euthanasia being expressed.

Read More
1836 Words | 8 Pages

Palliative care, hospice, or end-of-life care, whichever name you call it is supposed to be there for patients in the end stages of their lives to help ease their discomfort and take care of their general needs. But what about "death with dignity"? Should it be a human beings right to take the life of another human being upon request of that same person? End-of-life care, known as hospice or palliative care, is called upon when a patient

Read More
517 Words | 3 Pages

The Constitution is an important part in protecting the basic human rights of Australian Citizens. Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. They are vital parts in protecting the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of everyday Australians. Whilst the Australian Constitution does not include a Bill of Rights stating these freedoms, several rights have been implied from the text and structure of the Constitution. The Constitution has had a huge impact on the way we live, awarding us rights and freedoms that include the right to vote, be educated and choose our religion .These

Read More
1770 Words | 8 Pages

Euthanasia and Grey’s Anatomy Euthanasia has quickly become a controversial topic in the medical field. Healthcare professionals have always been viewed as healers or people that do whatever it takes to fight illness. Euthanasia, however, changes this traditional view of healthcare professionals. Many people are confused about the definition of euthanasia.

Read More
522 Words | 3 Pages

The Right to Die 1) Introduction a) Thesis statement: Physician assisted suicide offers patients a choice of getting out of their pain and misery, presents a way to help those who are already dead mentally because of how much a disease has taken over them, proves to be a great option in many states its legal in, and puts the family at ease knowing their love one is out of pain. i) The use of physician assisted death is used in many different countries and some states. ii) Many people who chose this option are fighting a terminal illness.

Read More
1497 Words | 6 Pages

There are real case incidents in which a 14 year old girl suffering from terminal cystic fibrosis is asking her country’s president for permission to end her life. She had self shot a video in which she says “I am tired of living this disease and she can authorize an injection through which I can sleep forever”. The girl's video has sparked a broader conversation about whether euthanasia should be legalized in the largely Catholic nation. According to me we should let euthanasia be legal as there is no significance in keeping them alive against their wish as we don’t know how much they are suffering. Another incident is where the woman moved to Oregon where euthanasia is legal to take advantage of Oregon’s death with Dignity Law.

Read More
1731 Words | 7 Pages

THE EUTHANASIA CONTROVERSY Summary Euthanasia has constantly been a heated debate amongst commentators, such as the likes of legal academics, medical practitioners and legislators for many years. Hence, the task of this essay is to discuss the different faces minted on both sides of the coin – should physicians and/or loved ones have the right to participate in active euthanasia? In order to do so, the essay will need to explore the arguments for and against legalizing euthanasia, specifically active euthanasia and subsequently provide a stand on whether or not it should be an accepted practice.

Read More
869 Words | 4 Pages

Euthanasia, also known as assisted suicide, is the act of permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured patients. This is never suggested by the caretaker rather than requested by the patient or their family. Few areas such as the Netherlands have already legalized this practice. This debate, as split as a fork in the road, is over whether or not this approach should be legalized worldwide on stances regarding religion, ethics, and self choice.     I see this as being extremely unethical on both religious and social morality levels.

Read More
1075 Words | 5 Pages

Euthanasia is usually used to refer to active euthanasia, and in this sense, euthanasia is usually considered to be criminal homicide, but voluntary, passive euthanasia is widely non-criminal. Voluntary Euthanasia is conducted with the consent of the patient while Involuntary Euthanasia is conducted against the will of the patient. Beginning with the philosophical aspects of euthanasia we must first understand the importance of the sanctity of life. Human life is sacred because God made humankind in His own image, and that each individual human

Read More
1512 Words | 7 Pages

Everyone has the right to choose to live or die. Death is part of life that can 't be avoided. This is a natural phenomenon in the process of life is birth, aging, illness and death. Euthanasia, in some words "Mercy Killing or Physician assisted Suicide. " Euthanasia is to help patients who despair and cannot be cured to die peacefully and to have free from suffering.

Read More
1016 Words | 5 Pages

INTRODUCTION Euthanasia alludes to the act of deliberately close a life keeping in mind the end goal to assuage torment and enduring. 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"". Euthanasia is sorted in diverse ways, which incorporate voluntary, non-voluntary, or automatic.

Read More

More about Argument Against Active Euthanasia

Related Topics

Open Document