There are different forms of euthanasia; voluntary and non-voluntary. Both of which are considered to be illegal within the Criminal Code of Canada. Non-voluntary euthanasia is killing an individual who does not have the mental ability to consent to their own death. These types of people are individuals who are either in a vegetative state or are mentally disabled. The controversial debate ‘should non-voluntary euthanasia be legal?’ This question arises in the case of R. v. Latimer. Robert Latimer was found guilty for murdering his physically and mentally disabled daughter. He uses the necessity defense saying that he murdered his daughter as an act out of love for his daughter, and that he no longer wanted his daughter to suffer any longer.
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“Voluntary abortion is removal of a fetus or an embryo from the uterus in order to end pregnancy” (DICTIONARY.COM) Section 287 of the Criminal Code criminalizes abortion and treats the severity of the crime equal to murder since section 223 considers infants still within the mother’s womb to be a human being. But subsection 4, of section 287 permits individuals from receiving abortions from hospitals, only in the circumstances that continuation of pregnancy will likely endanger the individual’s life or health. (CRIMINAL CODE OF CANADA). It be justified because the purpose of this law allows to end a life in order to prevent harm or to preserve life. Section 34(c) permits use or threat of force if the act committed is reasonable in the circumstances. Also homicide can be considered to be justifiable homicide, is if it was committed for the protection of oneself or others. All of these laws have in common that it is justifiable to commit homicide if the intent is for the protection of another individual. If the applicant, as well as the individual assisting the suicide views the initial suffering of the applicant as ‘harm’ and that the applicant receiving euthanasia as ‘protection,’ then euthanasia should be protected by the criminal code. While it may be more difficult to determine whether a person who does not have the mental capacity to determine whether with wish to continue living, however, when individuals request and provide consent to assisted suicide, it should be allowed. Euthanasia is also legal in certain countries in Europe as well as in certain states in America. Belgium legalised euthanasia as a mean for people with painful terminal illness a quick and painless death (CITATION). Netherlands permits individuals to receive a dignifying death (euthanasia) after all medical treatment has been attempted and failed (CITATION). Quebec is attempting
“Voluntary abortion is removal of a fetus or an embryo from the uterus in order to end pregnancy” (DICTIONARY.COM) Section 287 of the Criminal Code criminalizes abortion and treats the severity of the crime equal to murder since section 223 considers infants still within the mother’s womb to be a human being. But subsection 4, of section 287 permits individuals from receiving abortions from hospitals, only in the circumstances that continuation of pregnancy will likely endanger the individual’s life or health. (CRIMINAL CODE OF CANADA). It be justified because the purpose of this law allows to end a life in order to prevent harm or to preserve life. Section 34(c) permits use or threat of force if the act committed is reasonable in the circumstances. Also homicide can be considered to be justifiable homicide, is if it was committed for the protection of oneself or others. All of these laws have in common that it is justifiable to commit homicide if the intent is for the protection of another individual. If the applicant, as well as the individual assisting the suicide views the initial suffering of the applicant as ‘harm’ and that the applicant receiving euthanasia as ‘protection,’ then euthanasia should be protected by the criminal code. While it may be more difficult to determine whether a person who does not have the mental capacity to determine whether with wish to continue living, however, when individuals request and provide consent to assisted suicide, it should be allowed. Euthanasia is also legal in certain countries in Europe as well as in certain states in America. Belgium legalised euthanasia as a mean for people with painful terminal illness a quick and painless death (CITATION). Netherlands permits individuals to receive a dignifying death (euthanasia) after all medical treatment has been attempted and failed (CITATION). Quebec is attempting