LEARNING MODULE 8

THEOLOGY
SECOND QUARTER
Subject Teacher JASPER A. SALDIVAR Date of Distribution April 8, 2022
Contact Number 09266902952 Date of Submission April 22, 2022
Email/Gmail account
jaspersaldivar@gmail.com Grade &Section HUMMS/STEM/ABM 11
EUTHANASIA
It is killing somebody who is suffering and may have no hope of recovery.
DISCUSSION
Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. The sick or
handicapped person should be helped to lead life as normal as possible.
Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary and
disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of “over-zealous”
treatment. Here, one does not will to cause death; one’s inability to impede it is merely accepted.
The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally
entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be
respected.
Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of
handicapped, sick or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.
Thus, an act of omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate
suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect
due to the living God, his creator. The error of judgement into which one can fall in good faith does
change the nature of his murderous act, which must always be forbidden and executed.
LEARNING THE MESSAGE OF FAITH
Medical profession has generally rejected euthanasia as manifested in the Hippocratic Oath and in
the recent codes of medical ethics, the declaration of Geneva of the World Medical Association. But
in spite of this, there are people even in health care professionals who committed euthanasia at the
point of being imprisoned.
The different but connected reasons they raised are:
1. The person is terminally ill.
2. He has no hope of recovery.
3. He is suffering terribly.
4. His life is no longer meaningful and useful.
5. He is a burden to himself and to his family.

But though it is a fact that the person is suffering terribly and has no hope of recovery, nobody
is allowed to kill an innocent person even for the reason of mercy. The moral principle is clear: the
end does not justify the means. But looking in the light of faith, a person must view sufferings as a kind
of sharing with the suffering of Christ. This becomes his own cross to carry in order to follow Christ. This
becomes raw material for his holiness. For in his own suffering, he becomes aware of his need for
God. This leads him to call God in his desire for recovery. This moves him to cling to God in his state of
pains. Of course, pain is pain. Nobody likes it. But it can be his way to God.
There are different significant statements formulated by some groups that affirm the
immortality of euthanasia.
o The Hippocratic Oath states that “neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to
do so, nor will I suggest such course… “In addition, with that it is written, “into whatever houses
zi enter, I will enter to help the sick and I will abstain from all international wrongdoing and
harm especially from abusing the bodies of man or woman, bonded or free.
o On the other hand, the Pledge of Florence of Nightingale said that “I will abstain from
whatever is deleterious or mischievous and I will not take or knowingly administer any harmful
drug.”
o Furthermore, the international Code of Medical Ethics reminds that “a doctor must always
bear in mind the importance of preserving human life from the time of conception till death.”
o In the Declaration of Geneva, the doctors pledge; “I will maintain utmost respect for human
life from the time of conception.”
o In the same way, American Medical Association affirms and holds that “physicians dedicate
their lives to the alleviation of suffering to the enforcement and propagation of life.”
o In more precise and concrete manner, the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic
Hospitals states that direct killings of any innocent person even of his own request is always
 morally wrong. Any procedure whose sole immediate effect is the death of a human being is
a direct killing.
LIVING THE MESSAGE OF FAITH
✓ It is hard for us to see our loved ones suffering from a terminal sickness. We are moved by their
sufferings. It hurts to see them moaning and trembling. It is painful to hear their cries of pain,
especially when they do not have medicine to offer to ease it. We feel powerless especially
when words of comfort are even meaningless. But the truth is we do not have authority over
life and death. We do not even have the authority to kill even for mercy. We can only be with
them in their sufferings.
LET US REMEMBER
Only God has the right to take the life He has given us.

ASSESSMENT
I. Write T if the statement is correct and F if the statement is wrong.
_____ 1. Medical practitioners consider euthanasia as an answer to a person’s suffering.
_____ 2. A person who suffers terribly has still hope recovery.
_____ 3. The pledge of Florence of Nightingale states that “neither will I administer a poison to
anybody when asked to do so nor will I suggest such cause.”
_____ 4. Euthanasia should be given when the person request for it.
_____ 5. The International Code of Medical Ethics reminds that “a doctor must always bear in mind
the importance of preserving human life from the time of conception till death.”
_____ 6. Euthanasia is morally correct.
_____ 7. It is only God who can take away the life of a suffering person.
_____ 8. Doctors who have the knowledge and who understand the sufferings of the patient have the
authority to kill.
_____ 9. Netherlands has already legalized euthanasia provided the three important conditions are
present.
_____ 10. Oregon is already practicing Euthanasia.
II. Fill in the blanks with a word or phrase to make the statement complete and correct.
1. __________ means putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick or dying persons.
2. An act which causes death to eliminate __________ constitutes a murder contrary to the
dignity of the human person.
3. Decisions regarding continuing medical procedure should be made by the __________ if he is
competent or able.
4. The use __________ to alleviate the sufferings of the dying is morally permissible if death isn’t
willed either as an end or as a means.
5. The end does not justify the ___________.
6. A person must view suffering as a kind of sharing with the sacrifice of ____________.
7. Suffering or carrying one’s own cross is a raw material for __________.
8. The __________ states that “neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so.”
9. The pledge of __________ Nightingale states that “I will not take or knowingly administer any
harmful drug.”
10. The International Code of Medical Ethics reminds that “a doctor must always bear in mind the
importance of preserving human life from the time of conception till __________.
III. Answer the questions below in five sentences only.
1. What is euthanasia? Why is it morally wrong?

___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What are the reasons raised by healthcare professionals regarding euthanasia? Why they are
invalid?

___________________________________________________________________________________________
3. How can we prevent or at least discourage euthanasia?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Prepared by:
JASPER A. SALDIVAR
Subject Teacher
Checked by:
MRS. ELSA T. BALANAY, MAEng
School Principal