News in Review – November 2013 – Teacher Resource Guide WHAT IS DYING WITH DIGNITY?

Note to Teachers Teachers should be aware that the teaching of sensitive and controversial issues such as suicide, terminal illness and death may provoke emotional responses from students. A high degree of care should be taken before the lesson to ensure that the learning environment allows for conflicting sets of values to be processed analytically and with respect for differences in people and their identities, cultures and world views.

CONSIDERING YOUR BELIEFS ABOUT DEATH AND DYING

Our beliefs about death are formed through our Circle your response: cultural norms, philosophies, religious beliefs and personal experiences. Cultural anthropologists note 1. I am not afraid of dying. that different cultures have very different attitudes Agree Disagree Not Sure about dying and death. These attitudes are reflected in differences in rituals and customs 2. My attitudes toward death changed when I surrounding death. witnessed a death.

In North American, there is a range of views on Agree Disagree Not Sure death and dying that reflects our cultural diversity but many anthropologists, sociologists and 3. I want to die in my sleep or quickly/painlessly. psychologists conclude that we are a society that Agree Disagree Not Sure fears aging and death. It is a topic we avoid and this simple fact reflects a fear of death and the 4. It is important to me that I have time to unknown. Woody Allen's quote may nicely sums prepare myself before dying. up our ambivalence about dying. Agree Disagree Not Sure

"I don't mind dying, I just don't want to be 5. I should have the right to choose when I die. there when it happens.” – Woody Allen Agree Disagree Not Sure The following statements ask you to reflect on 6. If I could, I would choose to live forever. your own beliefs about death — including what would be a “good death” — first individually and Agree Disagree Not Sure then with a partner. Your teacher may choose to 7. Doctors should not be allowed to assist people group you according to similar answers to a chosen in ending their lives. question and then have you discuss as a group and share your conclusions with other groups. Agree Disagree Not Sure

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NOVEMBER 2013 — WHAT IS DYING WITH DIGNITY?

FURTHER INQUIRY RESEARCH

Decide on a question that interests you regarding cultural beliefs, norms and/or rituals around death and dying. Research and compare the answer for two cultures. Summarize your research with a consideration of how your beliefs on death and dying have changed or not changed as a result of this research.

Possible questions • How is death depicted in these two cultures?

• What is considered a “good death” in these two cultures?

• What rituals/ceremonies occur after death?

• According to these two cultures, what happens after death?

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NOVEMBER 2013 — WHAT IS DYING WITH DIGNITY?

VIDEO REVIEW

It’s sometimes called euthanasia, others call it “dying with dignity” — and it means the right to end one’s life peacefully. Dr. Donald Low, an infectious disease expert, died this past September of a rare brain tumour. Just before he passed he called on the government to reopen the debate to allow people the with dignity.

Pre‐viewing

Consider the following words. How would you define these words? Note the different positive or negative connotations that you perceive, if any? What images do each term evoke for you?

• Mercy killing

• Doctor-

• Euthanasia (comes from the Greek words “eu” meaning good and “thanatos” meaning death)

While viewing

Answer the following questions while viewing the accompanying News in Review video. Be sure to read through the questions before viewing the video.

1. Doctor-assisted suicide or euthanasia is legal in some parts of the world. † TRUE † FALSE

2. Why did Susan Griffiths want to end her life?

3. What action did Susan Griffiths take to end her life?

4. The Canadian government says it has no intention of revisiting current laws regarding assisted suicide. † TRUE † FALSE

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NOVEMBER 2013 — WHAT IS DYING WITH DIGNITY?

5. Why do supporters of Quebec's new legislation not use the word “euthanasia"?

6. What are the three criteria that an individual must meet to apply for a fatal injection to end their life?

7. How did Toronto's Dr. Low add to the debate to legalize assisted suicide?

8. What experience did Dr. Low say would change the minds of those opposed to legalizing assisted suicide?

9. Which of the following statements accurately summarizes Rex Murphy's position on physician- assisted suicide? Choose one: † People should make individual choices about when to die

† This debate weighs cultural, philosophical and religious beliefs about death against individual and family desires regarding death

† Canada should move quickly to introduce physician-assisted suicide

10. The B.C. Court of Appeal has reversed a lower court ruling that said Canada’s ban on physician- assisted suicide violated Canadians’ charter rights. Do you agree with their decision? Explain.

11. Why does Elayne Shapray, a multiple sclerosis patient, state that the reversal of the ruling may hasten her death?

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NOVEMBER 2013 — WHAT IS DYING WITH DIGNITY?

Post‐viewing

1. How are you feeling after watching this video? Did you find yourself reacting more strongly to some voices than others?

2. Is the issue of physician-assisted suicide an important one to you? Why or why not?

3. What would the characteristics of a “good death” be for you?

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NOVEMBER 2013 — WHAT IS DYING WITH DIGNITY?

THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS: Helping someone to die

Philosophers often use thought experiments or imaginary cases to examine the morally relevant features of a complex situation. Below are three thought experiments for you to consider that focus on the on the complex ethics behind assisting someone to die.

• Use the terms mercy killing, passive euthanasia or active euthanasia to label each of the three cases below.

• For each thought experiment, what are the main reasons that one would aid another person in their death?

• For each case, what are the main reasons for not assisting in another person's death?

• What would you do if you were the family, doctor or friend in each of these cases? Why?

A. A young man was severely injured in a car accident. He has been in a vegetative state for 16 months. He cannot eat, drink or breathe without the assistance of a machine. Doctors say his brain damage shows no signs of improvement. The family would like the life support machines to be turned off.

B. A woman has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. Gradually she is losing ability to move her limbs, blink and swallow. She would like to end her life but, due to limited mobility, she requires assistance to do so.

C. A young man is trapped in a burning truck. There is no way he can be saved. He screams at his friend, who has a hunting rifle, to shoot him dead. He recognizes this will be a less excruciating way to die. The friend, who is an excellent shot, considers the request.

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NOVEMBER 2013 — WHAT IS DYING WITH DIGNITY?

EUTHANASIA AND CANADIAN LAW

Choose one of the following pivotal Canadian cases involving euthanasia and assisted suicide: • (1993), a woman with ALS who wanted a physician‐assisted suicide • (1993), a man who killed his disabled 12‐year‐old daughter Tracy • Dr. Nancy Morrison (1997), a physician charged with first‐degree murder in the death of a terminally ill cancer patient • Gloria Taylor (2012), a right‐to‐die activist who suffered from ALS

Research and summarize the details and outcome of the case by answering the following questions:

1. What legal arguments were made?

2. What legal conclusions were drawn?

3. Were any laws changed as a result of this case?

4. What other laws were referred to in the deliberation of this case?

5. Do you predict that laws affecting the outcome of this case may change in the future? Why?

Two credible sources for research include

Canadian Research Publications: Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in Canada www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/ResearchPublications/2010-68-e.htm

CBC News – The fight for the right to die: Quebec introduces controversial bill on assisted suicide cbc.ca/news/canada/the-fight-for-the-right-to-die-1.1130837

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NOVEMBER 2013 — WHAT IS DYING WITH DIGNITY?

THE BELGIAN ACT ON EUTHANASIA (MAY 28, 2002)

Belgium is a country where euthanasia has been legal since 2002. The nation is now considering extending the right to children under 18 with the consent of their parents. A new bill is also considering extending the right to die to adults with early dementia.

Read the bill and answer the questions that follow: http://www.ethical-perspectives.be/viewpic.php?LAN=E&TABLE=EP&ID=59

1. Outline the conditions that must be met by a conscious person in order to request doctor-assisted euthanasia.

2. Outline the conditions that must be met when dealing with a person who cannot express their will (orally or in writing).

3. What is the purpose of “the commission"?

4. Do you think this is a “good” or “just” law? Why or why not? Have specific legal criteria in mind to justify your answer?

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