(i) ‘Euthanasia is never acceptable (15 marks)

Question 1

 Human life is sacred, and even when people are suffering or ill,
they do not stop being precious in God’s eyes.
 Euthanasia is the deliberate killing of a human being and therefore
some people consider it to be the same as murder.
 Euthanasia leads to viewing some kinds of human living as less
worthwhile than others, which could cause prejudice towards
people who are old or disabled.
 Some people may consider questions about euthanasia to be
trying to balance the sanctity of life and the quality of life.
 Human beings are free and should have the choice to decide
when they die.
 Some people are in such pain or indignity that they have no quality
of life and may consider that they would be better off dead
 We allow deliberate killing in other circumstances, for example in
war. Euthanasia should be another exception to the general rule
and should not be classed as murder.
 Most people would not allow animals to suffer in similar
circumstances.
Possible sources could include:
 Evangelium 65; Genesis 1, Imago Dei references.
 Possible reference to humanist thinkers who advocate a right to
die.