Assisted suicide
Easeful death
Most people in the Western world favour
assisted suicide. The law should reflect their will.
The economist supports making assisted
suicide legal by taking the case of Tony Nicklinson who was a former rugby
player and skydiver, developed locked-in syndrome. In Britain, its House of
Lords is trying to pass laws to guarantee the right of easeful death. In
addition to this, this newspaper argues that societies need to find their own
boundaries and carve out exception after careful consideration (gradualism).
Objection side:
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Assisted suicide should not
allow on moral or religious grounds.
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It conflicts with doctor’s oath
to “do no harm”(the Hippocratic oath)
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Vulnerable people may feel
pressure to spare their carers the burden
Britain’s case:
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Require an individual wanting
to die to be assessed by two doctors and be judged to have less than six months
to live.
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Have to administer the lethal
drugs himself
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Allow only for people whose
death is imminent
Discussion:
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Do you support assisted
suicide? Which opinion do you prefer to stand?
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Can you accept the right of
easeful death for…
brain death people or people who cannot
express their will
terminally
ill children
not
imminent people (Nicklinson)
people
who have suicidal thoughts
How should we find our own boundaries and exceptions? Should we set
