Euthanasia Be Legalized In Australia

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Recommended: Euthanasia argument issue investigation

Further issues discussed by groups of people who are against euthanasia present the idea that its legalisation will lead to serious issues in regards to regulation and control. The slippery slope argument is one that maintains that if euthanasia is legalised for the critically ill, we may eventually allow a change of laws to grant those who are mentally ill or children access to the process. There is a strong shared belief that euthanasia should not be legalised, even if it itself seems acceptable because it is deemed likely to lead to the allowance of more immoral practices (Turk 2002, p. 65). The regulation of euthanasia and who it is available to would be difficult to assess, thus it is argued there is a likelihood of abuse and neglect which …show more content…

In 1995, the Northern Territory introduced the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995 (NT) which states in S. 4 that a terminally ill patient who is experiencing unacceptable pain and suffering, “may request the patient’s medical practitioner to assist the patient to terminate the patient’s life”. However, in 1997, the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997 (Cth) removed the power of states and territories of Australia to legalise euthanasia, specifically repealing the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995 (NT). It is considered unlawful for a doctor to provide a a dose of medication to a patient with the intention that the patient will die, even if their assistance in committing suicide has been requested. S. 31C of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) states that a person who assists in the suicide of another individual is committing a crime and is liable to imprisonment. R v Shirley [2008] NSWSC 1194 is an example of a case where a woman was found guilty of manslaughter when she supplied a lethal dose of a drug to her partner, with the motivation of him taking his own life of which was in his wishes. Assisting someone in suicide is unlawful under Australian law, however, it is not illegal for a doctor to knowingly administer a lethal dose of medication, with the intention of relieving pain rather than causing death of the patient. Furthermore, it is not considered unlawful to withdraw treatment or turn off life sustaining technology for a terminally ill patient, where there is an understanding that the patient will not recover, and the practise is considered futile. There are many complications within the Australian legal and medical sphere in regards to end of life treatment and what is considered

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