Should there be a Right to Die? Euthanasia Platon Jugendforum 2009 WS 3: Alexander, Christina, Verena, Alica, Kilian, Judith, Kristina, Cara, Isabel

ANNA IS GOING TO BE KILLED – BUT THERE IS STILL HOPE 30p London, 6th May 20**

Values Europe = community of values, but often different and incompatible Values keep changing: –divorce –abortion The Netherlands: –Decision for euthanasia from 12+ –Euthanasia for babies?

Dignity

Freedom

Respect & Tolerance

Active Euthanasia Active euthanasia occurs in those instances in which someone takes active means, such as a lethal injection, to bring about someone’s death.

Passive Euthanasia Passive euthanasia occurs in those instances in which someone simply refuses to intervene in order to prevent someone’s death.

Assisted Suicide Many patients who want to die are unable to do so without assistance. Assisted suicide is a form of euthanasia where the patient actively takes the last step in their death. Dignitas

Indirect Euthanasia The patient dies sooner as a side effect of giving a medical treatment given to relieve pain or prove end- of-life symptoms.

Alternative: Palliative Care EAPC (European Association for Palliative Care) The patients should die in a human and a comforting atmosphere, not feeling alone and unworthy. End of life should come as soon as possible, but without enforcing the death. No medical treatment is against the patient‘s will.

Proposal to Lay Down in Law Right to die for every person The patient‘s wish of dying must be clear. A conscious patient has to clearify his wish e.g. in front of two medicals and a notary. An unconscious patient should have prepared an advanced directive (=Patientenverfügung), where he specifies in which cases he wants to die or if he doesn‘t want to. Without an advanced directive of an unconscious patient, the relatives – if they exist - have to decide. Nobody is allowed to act against the patient‘s will.

Euthanasia Right to Die Right to Live