When discussing passive euthanasia in a legal term, it is evident that there are people who are pro euthanasia and those who are against it. Individuals who are pro passive euthanasia use the rights based argument, stating that a human being has the right to decide when and how they die. This argument is based on the principles of autonomy and self-determination. Autonomy is the notion that a patient has the right to make choices regarding their life as long as it causes no harm to others. Hence, the individual has the right to control their own body and consequently should have the right to make their own decisions concerning how and when they will die with the right to a dignified death. (Ebrahimi, Nargus, 2012) In contrast, individuals who are against passive euthanasia would argue that it is going against the sanctity of life – using a practice that violates the intrinsic value of human life. The main concept of the sanctity of life is the belief that all human beings, at any stage of life and in any state of consciousness or self-awareness are to be perceived as individuals of equal worth and of inviolable dignity. Therefore all human life must be treated in such a way that’s commensurate with this moral status. Hence, despite their suffering, the sick patient should continue receiving the health care they require and should be treated with the same medical attention as a fit and healthy person. (Gushee, David P. PhD, 2006) Most of the secular moral issues used in the argument for or against euthanasia are very divergent.
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