EUTHANASIA
Euthanasia: 'gentle or easy death. The theory that incurables should be painlessly removed' [that is, killed].
Terminal illness: an illness which can only end in the patient's or victim's death.
Hippocratic oath: an oath or promise which used to be taken by doctors, as a public declaration of their intention to live by good medical ethics.
THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH
Doctors in the UK work to a very strict code of ethics. Many of their attitudes to their work are influenced by the Hippocratic Oath. This oath [named after the Greek doctor called Hippocrates]stated that the person who took the oath would do all in his or her power 'for the benefit of my patients according to my ability and judgement, and not for their hurt or wrong'. The oath goes on to ban euthanasia and abortion.
Today in Britain, the Hippocratic Oath is no longer used, but its ideas greatly influence the codes of conduct drawn up by the General Medical Council [GMC] and the British Medical Association [BMA]. Any doctor breaking these codes can be 'struck off' the medical register, which would mean that he or she can no longer be a doctor.
VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA
Voluntary euthanasia is where death is given at the request of the person killed. Sometimes, dying can be a long, painful and undignified process. However, in the UK today, it is illegal for a doctor to help someone to die or for anyone to assist in a suicide- to help someone to kill themselves. The person would be charged with murder or with manslaughter.

In Holland, by contrast, provided two independent doctors believe that the person [who must be of sound mind] wants to be helped to die, then he or she can be given euthanasia. It is seen to be part of proper medical care. The patient has to have made the decision some time earlier- it cannot be the result of an impulse, made because the person is depressed.
NON-VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA
In Germany in the middle of the last century, it was held by the Nazi government that people who were mentally handicapped should not be allowed to live. They were denied the right to life because they could not contribute enough or even anything to society. They were given injections of poison which killed them. This is an example of involuntary [or non-voluntary] euthanasia because the patients were not asked if they wanted to die; they were killed on the decision of someone else. When it was discovered what had been going on, the rest of the civilised world was horrified. Involuntary euthanasia was believed to be totally evil, no different from murder.

Many Christians feel very strongly that those whose lives are weakened or diminished through illness deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped people should be helped to lead as normal a life as possible. Putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick or dying people is morally unacceptable. Painkillers can be used to reduce the pain of the ill person and such care should be encouraged. The Hospice Movement is an organisation which does just that.
THE LAW
In the UK euthanasia is strictly illegal. In 1936 and 1969, it was proposed in Parliament that euthanasia be made legal. On both occasions the proposal was rejected.
SUMMARY:

     Euthanasia means gentle or easy death.
     It is permitted in Holland [with safeguards] but not in the UK
     The Hospice Movement- providing care for the dying, not death.
     Shortening life with painkillers is not the same as ending it.
     The Hippocratic Oath, which influences medical ethics, is aginst euthanasia.