Starter: remind yourself of the Christian teaching about the
sanctity of life. What does the Bible say that supports the
idea that human life is sacred?
What is Euthanasia?
Objectives:
To consider the reasons why someone
may wish to have help to end their life
To understand what is meant by
voluntary vs non-voluntary and passive
vs active euthanasia
Grade 6-7 Grade 8-9
Grade 4-5 I can use the I can evaluate
I can describe terms different views
different voluntary/ non- about the
reasons for voluntary, and ethics of
someone passive/active euthanasia
wishing to to describe through
different looking at a
have help to
examples of range of
die euthanasia opposing ideas
Euthanasia is:
“a good death”
Also known as assisted suicide / mercy killing
It is helping someone to die
Illegal in the UK
Euthanasia and the Law
•In Britain, it is illegal
•Covered by 1961 Suicide Act
•In Holland, Switzerland and
Belgium it has been
decriminalised
•Do you think the law in
Britain should be changed?
The law does not refer specifically to euthanasia,
so it is covered under the laws about murder. The
1961 Suicide Act is usually applied to euthanasia
cases.
Section 2 (1) A person who
encourages, assists, or gets someone
else to assist another in attempting
suicide will, if convicted, face a
maximum sentence of 14 years
imprisonment.
Dr Harold Shipman
• English Doctor (GP)
• One of the most prolific serial
killers in recorded history
• Pure Evil
• Angel of Death
• On 31 January 2000, a jury found
Shipman guilty of 15 murders
• 250+ murders suspected to be
down to him
Testimony
• What are this woman’s arguments for a
change in the law?
• Does her story convince you that euthanasia
should be decriminalised?
Writing your own end
Euthanasia should be made
legal in Britain
• Look at your cards and arrange them into two
lists – arguments for and against the question
above.
Challenge:
• Which do you think is the strongest argument
on each side?
• Which side of the argument do you find most
convincing overall?
Begin a table of arguments over half
a page on the following question:
Should euthanasia be made legal in
Britain?
Arguments for… Arguments against…
Euthanasia – Key Terms
• Voluntary Euthanasia – a person has requested to
die
• Non-voluntary Euthanasia – where a person is
unable to say whether they wish to die, for example
if they are in a coma.
• Involuntary Euthanasia – when a person is able to
request to die but does not, but their life is ended
anyway
• Active Euthanasia – steps are taken to end a
person’s life e.g. lethal injection
• Passive Euthanasia – provision which is keeping
someone alive is removed e.g. not resuscitating
someone after a heart attack
Sanctity of Life vs Quality of Life
• The debates we have been looking at
recently around abortion have focussed on
the Christian belief in the sanctity of life –
that human life is sacred, precious, planned
and valuable because it is given by God.
Therefore, human life should not be taken
away.
• However, others have argued that sanctity
of life should not be considered more
important than quality of life. Human life
may be precious, but does this mean human
life should be preserved at any cost?
• Is it right to bring a child into the world who
doctors believe will only live a short and
uncomfortable life?
• Is it right to force a person to stay alive even
if their life will be painful and undignified?
• What is more important – life or quality of
life?
Euthanasia should be made
legal in Britain
• Evaluate this statement, practice some of the things we
need to do for our FREAREY evaluations…
1. Pick an argument that you find convincing…
Some people may argue that…
I think this argument is strong / impressive / convincing
because…
2. Pick an argument that you don’t find convincing…
Some people may argue that…
I think this argument is flawed / weak/ unpersuasive
because… Grade 8 – use key terms like active, passive,
3. Conclude voluntary etc. What difference does this make?
Grade 9 – include a discussion about sanctity of
life vs quality of life
