for and against

Statistics:

82% of religious and non religious people are in favour of euthanasia: 46% non religious and 36% religious 

euthanasia cases in the Netherlands doubled between 2006-2010

10% of suicides in England involved terminally or chronically ill people 

For:

- human beings should have the right to be able to decide when and how they die (self-determination)

-euthanasia enables a person to die with dignity and in control of their situation 

-death is a private matter and the state should not interfere with the individuals right to die

-it is expensive to keep people alive when there is no cure for their illness. Euthanasia would release precious resources to treat people who could live 

-family and friends would be spared the pain of seeing their loved ones suffer a long drawn out death 

-society permits animals to be put down as an act of kindness when they are suffering: the same treatment should be available to humans

Against:

- euthanasia would weaken society’s respect for the value and importance of human life 

-proper palliative care is available which reduces or removes the need for people to be in pain 

-it would lead to worse care for the terminally ill

-it would put too much power in the hands of doctors and damage the trust between patient and doctor 

-some people may feel pressured to request euthanasia by family, friends or doctors, when it isn’t what they really want 

-it would undermine the commitment of doctors and nurses to save lives 

-it would discourage the search for new cures and treatments for the terminally ill

-some people unexpectedly recover 

-some people may change their mind about euthanasia and be unable to tell anyone 

-voluntary euthanasia could be the first step on a slippery slope that leads to involuntary euthanasia, where those who are undesirable or seen as a problem could be killed 

source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zhbqf4j/revision/7 date:8/12/21

reliable as it is an official government funded website

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