Moving Towards Legalization of Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I certify that the work presented in the dissertation is my own unless referenced

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I would like to express my thanks to my advisor, for his suggestions, comments, patience and understanding. Very special thanks to my parents, my father, my mother, my brother and my sister who were continuously supporting me throughout my life and leaving me free in all my decisions. I would also like to thank my colleagues for his technical support whenever I needed. I would like to thank to Department, all the university managers, teachers and students with whom I have worked.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

Without doubt, modern death has become formidable. Physicians now have technologies and knowledge needed to prevent natural death almost indefinitely. Too often, terminally ill patients suffer needless pain and stay alive without real hope, as families have a terrible death clock. Arguments in favour of euthanasia are powerful - by appealing to our capacity for compassion and commitment to support individual choice and self-determination. But the case against euthanasia is also powerful for it tells us about the fundamental reverence for life and the risk of throwing down a slippery slope to decreased respect for life. With the legislation in the near future, we are forced to choose which values are most important and give our vote. The objective of this paper is to understand the basic concept of Euthanasia and Assisted suicide and its legalisation under English and Dutch Law.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTii

DECLARATIONiii

ABSTRACTiv

CHAPTER 1: EUTHANASIA1

Research Questions1

Scope of the Research1

Arguments in favour of assisted killing2

Arguments against assisted killing3

Comparison of the Law of England with the Law in Netherlands and Oregon State of America4

The law of England4

The law in Netherlands and Oregon State of America (Death with Dignity Act of 1994)5

CHAPTER 2: FAILURE TOWARD LEGALIZATION7

The “Right to Die”7

Case study of Dax Cowart8

Case study of Terri Schiavo8

CHAPTER 3: UK ANALYSIS10

Ease of dealing with family members11

Physician and other staff11

Should The Law Criminalize People Who Accompany Those Who Make Rational Decisions To End Their Suffering?12

BIBLIOGRAPHY13

CHAPTER 1: EUTHANASIA

Research Questions

The primary questions and issues that I wish to explore are:

Should euthanasia and assisted suicide be legal in English law and Dutch law?

To what extent is euthanasia been practiced in these countries under the current law and to what extent there is an inconsistency between the current law and real practice?

To search and study the reasons/factors against the reform of the law in England and to explore whether the public, medical professionals and political parties in England are against or with legalization of euthanasia?

Scope of the Research

The issue of euthanasia, or assisted suicide, is not only incredibly controversial and there are legitimate concerns on either side of the debate, but also euthanasia and ...