Euthanasia – Diane Pretty Legal Ruling (2001)

Barcode (ID): 06D0613799                                                           

Main Search Term and Keywords: Assisted Suicide, Mercy Killing, Euthanasia

Date of Broadcast: 31st August 2001

Clip Duration: 3 min 26 seconds

Scientific Content Rating

Ethical Content Rating

Usefulness for Teaching Bioethics

Description: First, the woman who wants her husband to help her commit suicide because she’s terminally ill has won the first round of her legal battle to allow him to do it. A judge today said Diane Pretty could challenge the decision that her husband – if he helped her die – would not be immune from prosecution. Mrs Pretty – who has motor neurone disease – says that not being allowed to die with dignity is a breach of her human rights.

Discussion Questions

• Should we, as individuals, have a right to decide how and when we end our lives?
• How would this change if we were ‘critically ill’
• If euthanasia were to be legalized in the UK, how would human life or medical practices be compromised considering what happened in the Netherlands?
• What is the difference between assisted suicide and euthanasia?
• If people are able to commit suicide/or attempt and not be criminalized, why should euthanasia be criminalized?

Similar Questions

• If euthanasia were legalized in the UK, what could be the possible consequences?
• Since suicide is not against the law, should it be illegal to help someone commit suicide?

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