Euthanasia+Info

Various information regarding euthanasia:

__**Definiton of Euthanasia:**__ The practice to free an individual suffering from a terminal illness and the excruciating pain that they feel, a doctor or a person may assist in ending that individual’s life with the consent of their family and friends. Therefore, on the wish of the patient, the doctor, or the person assisting, provides a peaceful/painless death to the patient.

**__ Definition of Murder: __**  When an individual or a group of individuals intentionally kill someone for personal reasons (such as conflicting interests) or personal motives in order to achieve a particular desired outcome has committed murder. This type of act results in varying punishment depending on the given circumstances.

** 1. ** **__ Related Concept __**

Assisted Suicide, **__Suicide__**, Abortion, Consent

B) Suicide is a good related concept because it is associated with euthanasia as it is suggested by many that euthanasia is a form of suicide. This concept will help in understanding the difference between euthanasia and murder as well as suicide. It will shed light on the similarities between euthanasia and suicide. When one commits suicide, he/she can clearly not be punished for ending their life, however, if someone helps another person end their life, they may be charged with murder. The concept of suicide will eventually assist in understanding the two main concepts more clearly.

** 2. ** **__ Practical Results __**

A) Is Euthanasia murder? – Yes  Ø Medical expense would most likely increase as the people who are facing terminal illnesses would now be surviving through expensive medicines and high medical attention or care  Ø Taxpayers would have to pay more as the health expense would increase   Ø Overall stress in a person who knows someone that suffers from a terminal illness would most likely increase as they would have to see their loved ones in excruciating pain every day  Ø Chances of people committing suicide or murder would increase as euthanasia is not allowed  Ø Less people would euthanize an ill person as they would be scared of the consequences afterwards (prison, punishment) B) Is Euthanasia murder? – No  Ø More ill people would be able to end their life without going through severe pain  Ø Medical expenses may decrease due to the decrease in the amount of terminally ill people   Ø Money received from taxpayers would not be consumed in health care as much as it would have been otherwise; it may be consumed in education or business which may help the economy <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø Family members of an ill patient will have a final, decent closure with their loved ones <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø The term //euthanasia// may be misused as people might actually murder someone but give their actions the name of euthanasia; some may also commit suicide but give it the name of //euthanasia// <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø People might start killing the older generation saying that they are in pain when in fact they are not terminally ill <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 63pt; text-indent: -18pt;">C)
 * **//__ Euthanasia __//** || **//__ Murder __//** ||
 * May be associated with suicide || Incentive ||
 * Related to terminal illnesses || Depends on the situation ||
 * Usually assistance is needed || Usually planned beforehand ||
 * With the consent of family || Motive ||
 * Mutual agreement || Personal reasons for killing ||
 * || Impulsive ||

<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 63pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> A) **//__ Euthanasia __//** <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Assistance in Ending a Life ** – Generally a patient is so weak or helpless that he/she needs someone who can help them end their life. Ex: doctors <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Fatal Injection ** – An injection composed of drugs that first puts the patient to sleep and then eventually end their life  <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Person wants to die ** – Patient wishes to die and does not want to live anymore due to the pain that they are suffering from <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Excruciating Pain ** – pain that is intolerable and unbearable <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Unresponsive to Treatment ** – the treatment given to a patient does not necessarily have an effect on the patient; therefore the patient is not responding to the treatment <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Family’s consent ** – the family agrees or approves of a decision (approves of the decision to end the patients’ life) <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Peaceful/Painless Death ** – A death without severe pain and minimal complications <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Patient is ill ** – Patient is feeling unwell <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Mercy Killing ** – ending someone’s life (who suffers from an incurable illness) painlessly <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Bedridden ** – Someone who is confined to bed due to the poor health condition <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Survival through medical care ** – person can only survive with the help of medical care provided to them everyday <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Severe Pain ** – intolerable pain <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Terminal Illness ** – illness which is painful and incurable; eventually leads to death <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Right to end one’s life ** – a person who has the right to end their life whenever they wish to <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Mutual Agreement ** – an agreement where each party agrees on a particular thing. (mutual agreement between a doctor and a patient) <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Related to Medical Problems ** – health problems are present and medical attention is usually needed <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 99pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Associated with Suicide ** – Someone who may end their life due to an incurable illness may be called suicidal (someone who wishes to end their life)

<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;">The terms that best suit the concept of Euthanasia include: <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 1. **// Terminal Illness //** – illness which is painful and incurable; eventually leads to death <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 2. **// Person wants to die //** – Person wishes to die and does not want to live anymore due to the pain that they are suffering from <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 3. **// Family’s consent //** – the family agrees or approves of a decision (approves of the decision to end the patients’ life) <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 4. **// Assistance in ending a life //** – Generally a patient is so weak or helpless that he/she needs someone who can help them end their life <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 5. **// Peaceful/Painless death – //** A death without severe pain and minimal complications <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;"> These are the best meanings of the concept Euthanasia because all of these meanings fill the criteria of what euthanasia may mean. Euthanasia is almost always associated with a terminal illness which is the cause of the excruciating pain that the patient copes up with. This pain acts as a catalyst and pushes the patient to decide upon ending their life for which they need assistance. To experience a peaceful death, a patient usually needs the help of a doctor. <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;">Is Euthanasia a murder?

**//__ Murder __//** <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Guilt ** – feel responsible for an action or offense <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Personal Motive ** – the goal of a person ending someone’s life (expected outcome) <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Intent to kill ** – the aim for killing can also vary (what is one getting out of killing someone else) <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Planned beforehand ** – a well sort out process (step by step) to end one’s life <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Desired Outcome ** – a result that is wished upon <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Impulsive ** – acting quickly without thoroughly thinking <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Hidden Motive ** – The aim for ending one’s life might be different; the outcome may benefit the one assisting rather than the one dying <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Violation ** – to break the law or a right <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Illegal Action ** – an act that is not allowed by the government <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Conspiracy ** – A plan against someone, usually consisting of a fraud, to benefit oneself <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Punishment ** – the outcome or penalty of doing something wrong or unlawful <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Criminal ** – involving crime, an act that is unlawful <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** (Cruel) Intentions ** – the purpose or the goal of an action (ending one’s life) may be cruel <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Objectives ** – the end result or the outcome of one’s action <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Personal Reasons ** – the interests of an individual vary from person to person <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Circumstantial ** – depending on the situation and the particular given conditions <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 16.2pt 97.9pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> Ø ** Incentive ** – something that stimulates an action or actions

<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;">The terms that best suit the concept of Murder are: <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 1. **// (Cruel) Intentions //** – the purpose or the goal of an action (ending one’s life) may be cruel <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 2. **// Personal Motive //** – the goal of a person ending someone’s life (expected outcome) <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 3. **// Desired Outcome //** – a result that is wished upon <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 4. **// Personal Reasons //** – the interests of an individual vary from person to person <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 5. **// Punishment //** – The outcome or the penalty of doing something wrong or unlawful

<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt;">These are the most appropriate meanings for the concept of murder as they capture the essential grounds one would consider to be a part of murder. The intention to kill someone usually arises for different personal reasons and varying interests of individuals who have a particular motive behind killing an individual. A murder is usually done to achieve a desired outcome and the murderer is punished for the actions that he/she took.

<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">The definition provided states much more than a usual dictionary would when defining the two given concepts. The definitions are very particular in terms of what is needed and what can be excluded from the concept of euthanasia and murder. These definitions will reduce the number of people who may confuse euthanasia with murder as it clearly states that murder deals with ‘//personal//’ motives and ‘//personal//’ reasons where as euthanasia deals with a patient being ill and it is the wish of the patient to end his/her life. On the contrary to murder where the victim does not necessarily wish to die, in fact, he/she is killed because the murderer wishes that he/she dies. The stated definitions do not modify or change the common usage of euthanasia or murder; rather they clarify the difference between the two concepts by highlighting that determining who wishes to die under what circumstances and for what reason is the key when differentiating between euthanasia and murder.

<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Euthanasia is not murder because euthanasia deals with a person suffering from a terminal illness who wishes to die where as murder essentially is the act of killing someone for personal reasons or personal motives. This killing may be related to an incentive that the murderer expects to achieve as an outcome of the murder. On the contrary, euthanasia is carried out to provide a painless death to a patient who would otherwise die in excruciating pain.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The misconception of euthanasia being murder is made by many people however this is not the case. Euthanasia is not the same as murder; the most prominent reason for this conclusion is the definition of the two terms itself. Euthanasia occurs to free an individual suffering from a terminal illness with the consent of that individual and usually their family. Usually a doctor ends that individual’s life providing a painless death. On the contrary, Murder occurs due to personal reasons and personal motives; it is when an individual or a group of individuals intentionally kill someone to achieve a particular desired outcome where a murderer receives punishment. Considering the terminologies described euthanasia should not be mistaken with murder as euthanasia deals with the terminally ill person who wishes to die where as in murder the person’s life is taken without his will.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Euthanasia should not be put in the same category as murder as it mainly deals with an individual’s illness who wishes to have a painless death, on the contrary, murder is the act of killing someone for personal reasons to achieve a certain desired result. This difference between the two concepts should be made very clear considering that euthanasia may become more common as more countries revisit their law and allow for such kind of activity. One can say that euthanasia will eventually lead people to end the elderly generation, however this assumption is nothing but a slippery slope. Therefore, differentiating between euthanasia and murder requires critical analysis and a thorough research. This can be done by researching different countries such as Netherlands (where euthanasia is legal) and Canada or any third world country (where euthanasia is illegal).