PHLB09H3 Final: final definitions.docx
Document Summary
An entity that has that is biologically human, a member of the genetically distinct human species. Human beings also refers to an entity having all the psychological attributes and capacities that we normally associate with the possession of full moral rights. Euthanasia can be characterized as directly or indirectly bringing about death of another person for the person"s sake. The term derives from the greek words meaning good death and evokes the idea that causing or contributing to someone"s end may bestow on that person a good. It involves performing an action that directly causes someone to die, what most people think of as mercy killing. Giving a patient a lethal injection to end his suffering is a case of active euthanasia. Allowing someone to die by not doing something that would prolong life. It includes removing patients feeding tube or respirator, failing to perform necessary surgery and refraining from giving life saving drugs.
