1. Self-Determination
Learning Objective: To explore the concept of self-determination.
I can share my initial views on whether humans have the right to self-determination.
I can explain the term euthanasia and the law surrounding it.
I can explore religious arguments for and against euthanasia.

2. Keyword Self-Determination:
The freedom to live as one chooses – to act or make decisions for yourself without consulting others.

3. Do you have the right to decide what happens to your body?
You have the right to decorate your body with tattoos.
Yes No
Start the lesson by asking students their opinions on whether we have the right to decide what happens to our bodies. Do this as a vote with your feet with students forming a continuum line. Start with tattoos – ask a few students to justify their opinions. You could promote further thought by bringing up tattoos which can cause offence to others or think of certain jobs where tattoos might not be allowed.

4. Do you have the right to decide what happens to your body?
You have the right to decorate your body with piercings.
Yes No

5. Do you have the right to decide what happens to your body?
You have the right to harm your body with drugs and alcohol.
Yes No

6. Do you have the right to decide what happens to your body?
You have the right to put your body at risk.
Yes No

7. Do you have the right to decide what happens to your body?
You have the right to decide when and how you die if you are terminally or incurably ill.
Yes No

8. Self-Determination
Learning Objective: To explore the concept of self-determination.
I can share my initial views on whether humans have the right to self-determination.
I can explain the term euthanasia and the law surrounding it.
I can explore religious arguments for and against euthanasia.

9. Euthanasia The Law on Euthanasia… Keyword: Euthanasia
Euthanasia is the painless killing of a person, usually someone who is terminally or incurably ill. It follows from a belief in self-determination with the view that people have the right to decide, under certain conditions, when and how their life should end.
Euthanasia in the UK:
Is it against the law in the UK (and most parts of the world).
A doctor cannot deliberately take a person’s life to relieve suffering.
A doctor can: give powerful painkillers to relieve pain which may also shorten someone’s life and withdraw medical treatment if the person will not recover, e.g. turn of someone’s life support machine.
It is punishable by law and someone can receive a maximum life sentence.
Keyword: Euthanasia
Literally means ‘mercy killing’ or ‘easy/good death’.
It is the painless killing of a person who is suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma.
Euthanasia in the Netherlands:
It is allowed in the Netherlands.
These are the guidelines: if it is a voluntary request, the request is well considered, the patient is in unacceptable suffering, the doctor has consulted a colleague.
It is not a requirement that the person is dying or experiencing physical suffering.
An injection is given to make the person unconscious, then a lethal injection is given.

10. Self-Determination
Learning Objective: To explore the concept of self-determination.
I can share my initial views on whether humans have the right to self-determination.
I can explain the term euthanasia and the law surrounding it.
I can explore religious arguments for and against euthanasia.

11. Arguments For & Against
We are now going to explore some of the arguments for and against euthanasia, including religious views.
Draw a for and against table in your books and jot down the arguments for and against euthanasia that you hear.
For
Against
Students are now going to explore arguments for and against euthanasia by watching the BBC Teaching 10 minute clip. They will see two case studies then interviews with religious believers who will share their thoughts. The clip refers to assisted suicide but the arguments remain the same and both are punishable by UK law.

12. Arguments For & Against
What might the dangers of legalising euthanasia be?
Do you think hospice care is a good alternative to euthanasia?
Who did you most agree and disagree with and why?
Do you think Paul Lamb should be allowed euthanasia?
Following the clip let the class have an opportunity to discuss what they have seen. Use the questions on the PPT to encourage students to develop their thinking around this.
What were two religious views on euthanasia?
Is it fair to ask a doctor to end a life?

13. Arguments For & Against
You are going to complete further research into some of the arguments for and against. You will need to use these arguments next lesson so it is important that you complete your notes in detail.
Draw this table:
BBC Bitesize:
Use the Euthanasia pages on the BBC Bitesize website to complete your table. Just type ‘BBC Bitesize Euthanasia’ into Google.
You must include Christian arguments in your table.

14. What are your current thoughts on euthanasia – should it be allowed?
Before you go…
What are your current thoughts on euthanasia – should it be allowed?
Write a short reflection ready for next lesson. You need to explain your opinion and back it up with the evidence you have gathered today.

15. Self-Determination
Learning Objective: To explore the concept of self-determination.
I can share my initial views on whether humans have the right to self-determination.
I can explain the term euthanasia and the law surrounding it.
I can explore religious arguments for and against euthanasia.