The Sacredness of Life and the Right to Die A Christocentric Review of the Euthanasia Questions in Postcolonial Nigeria

Abstract

Euthanasia is a complex global issue and a sensitive theme in the field of ethics, philosophy, law, religion and bio-ethics with no clear global consensus. This is not unconnected with the fact that the core of the euthanasia controversy is human life. Prompted by the apparent disregard for the human life in today’s society and the grave implications of any attempt to legalize euthanasia in Postcolonial Nigeria, this paper explores the euthanasia questions in contemporary academic discourse in Nigeria. Its goal is to review the euthanasia debate through the lens of ‘Christocentric humanisation. Employing a qualitative ethnographic approach, the paper highlights that, healing, saving, and protecting lives as well as making sure that harm is not done to life is the goal of medicine. It reiterates also, that in the traditional Nigerian socio-philosophical worldview, life is seen as sacred and must be protected. The paper conclude on the above notes that euthanasia is an attack on human life; and that arguments for its legalization is a distorted notion which undermines the sacredness of human life and destroys our solidarity with our fellow humans. The paper therefore recommends that, euthanasia should not be encouraged especially by the Nigerian law.