Active Quote by Peter Singer
“My view is different from this, only to the extent that if a decision is taken, by the parents and doctors, that it is better that a baby should die, I believe it should be possible to carry out that decision, not only by withholding or withdrawing life-support - which can lead to the baby dying slowly from dehydration or from an infection - but also by taking active steps to end the baby's life swiftly and humanely”
About This Quote
The quote argues that if parents and doctors decide a newborn's life is not worth sustaining, they should be allowed to actively end it swiftly, not just withdraw support, to avoid prolonged suffering.
In simple terms: Active ending of life may be justified to prevent suffering.
Key Takeaway
Consider ethical limits of life‑ending decisions.
Themes
ethics
medical
end‑of‑life
autonomy
compassion
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- neonatal care
- palliative decisions
- legal policy
- ethical deliberation
Key Concepts
bioethics
utilitarianism
human dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it more humane to withdraw or to actively end life?
- How do cultural values shape this debate?
A Different Perspective
Legal frameworks often restrict active euthanasia, creating moral conflict.
![“The solution [to a crisis pregnancy] is not to kill the innocent baby but to deal with the mother's values and her attitudes toward life.” quote by Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e75/jesse-jackson-1161_abortion_the-solution-to-a-crisis-pregnancy-is-no_661458.jpg)
![“Nineteen thousand children [are] dying every day. Does it really matter that we're not walking past them in the street? Does it really matter that they're far away? I don't think it does make a morally relevant difference.” quote by Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cc1/peter-singer-1001_children_nineteen-thousand-children-are-dying-eve_33961.jpg)
