Euthanasia: Medical, Ethical, and Legal Justification - Research Paper Example

?Right to Euthanasia Right to Euthanasia Right to Euthanasia Introduction For the past several years, euthanasia had been practiced in the medical field with the belief that life involved is not worth living. Euthanasia is defined as assisting a sick individual to die with dignity. The term is coined from the Greek word EU and thanatus to mean “good death” (Wikipedia, 2011). With this, it is commonly referred to as mercy killing, physician assisted suicide, imposed death, and physician aid in dying among others. Although, to some euthanasia is accepted owing to its good purpose, others do not agree with it. The religious sectors consider it as a sin. People working with the law view it as a murder and still others look at it as morally not right. Understanding the right to euthanasia highlights the discussion of the different types, procedures involved in euthanasia, and the medical, ethical, and legal justification. Body Types of Euthanasia Euthanasia has several forms. It is said to be a voluntary euthanasia when the patient request for the life sustaining treatments to be stopped all together with the full knowledge that such action will lead to his death. Patients resort to voluntary euthanasia to relieve themselves of the agony their illness causes them. This is usually observed in patients suffering from chronic illness such as cancer and in debilitating illnesses like cardiovascular disease. Involuntary euthanasia is ending the patient’s life with the decision that it is the right thing to do. The patient does not have any knowledge or informed consent of the act (unknown, 2001) however because she cannot act on her behalf as a result of him unable to communicate due to unconsciousness or too ill, the physician and family members decide it would be the best thing to do. In active euthanasia, certain procedures are carried out to cause the death of the patient. For instance, the patient may be given an over dosage of painkillers or sleeping pills to end her life. Not only is that active euthanasia applied in the medical field but also in prison cells where they administer lethal injection or poisonous substance as a form of capital punishment to prisoners whose life is worthy of death. On the other hand, passive euthanasia is simply doing nothing to save the life of the patient in situations where it is needed most. A distinct example of this is the “do not resuscitate” (DNR) order in which the patient should not be resuscitated in times of difficulty in breathing. The physician assisted suicide is the act of helping another individual stage his own death either through non provision of treatment or administration of certain drug. Process of Euthanasia The process of euthanasia is done either naturally or medically. Natural euthanasia involves the withholding of water and food supplement to the patient. With this, the cells of the patient become dehydrated until they will no longer function normally. As a result, the patient becomes weak and eventually dies. In some instances, the withholding of food is accompanied with the withdrawal of all forms of medical interventions such as no CPR, removal of respirator, and non compliance to medications with the consent of the patient. In contrast, the medical method of euthanasia is executed with the removal of all the life sustaining supports given to the patient. This is usually carried in hospitals in which nurses upon order of the physician is going to remove all machines supporting life. This is exemplified with the study by de Vries and company (2011) where they removed the respirator from a Dutch patient allowing him to die in his home. Similar study of Mann, Galler, Willimas, and Frost (2004) also highlighted how a hospital in New Zealand has carried out medical euthanasia. Staffs transported the patients in their homes and once they are comfortably laid on bed, vassopressor and other modalities of ventilation are withdrawn after sedating the patient with morphine. Justification Medical Justification The application of euthanasia is a multifaceted issue from medical, religious, and legal point of view. Euthanasia is justifiable in the medical field depending on the health condition of the patient. In cases of terminal and painful diseases, the no CPR order and withdrawal of other forms of life support is justifiable with the belief that it is more medically futile to continue. Although, it is the goal of the medical team to prolong life and it is the wish of the patient to be resuscitated, doctors will not heed to such right of the patient to live because it is not in consistent with their AMA’s code of ethics dictating that doctors have the obligation to modify management to palliative form of treatment if other treatments are proven ineffective (McCabe, 2008). When physicians determine that advance medical interventions is not anymore beneficial to the patient, they are not obliged to provide intervention outside the standard care which in fact cause more harm to the patient. Aside from this, physicians are in a better position to determine the quality of life the patient may live for several weeks or months in case her life goes on. At times, physicians do not act to preserve life because it is in the best interest of the patient that is to end the suffering (Livings, 2010). Prolonging life full of pain and agony is euthanasia just the same. Ending life peacefully with drugs is more dignified way of dying. Legal Justification Oregon and Washington had been successful in legalizing certain forms of euthanasia in which many patients had benefited from it. With a law providing a range of options available to the patient, their quality of life would be balanced against their belief and values regarding life. For a majority of people, they believe that having the right to die may relieve them from a possible vegetative state of life which is more difficult to live not only to the sufferer but also to the family members. In fact, several high profile celebrities had been traveling to countries permitting euthanasia because they do not like the empty life they have. The case of Daniel James, a rugby player had traveled to Zurich for assisted suicide because he was tetraplegic and paralyzed from shoulder to feet, an example of vegetative body condition. Other reason for the legalization of euthanasia is to end suffering due to terminal illness. In the same article by Livings, he cited Diane Pretty who had been suffering from degenerative neuron disease to have been permitted euthanasia to end her suffering. Wales and England however punish people who will assist in the suicide or ending of one’s life to imprisonment (Livings, 2010). Religious Justification Many religious groups consider euthanasia as a sin tantamount to murder because they believe in the sanctity of life. Christians all over the globe condemn any form of ending life (Chirita, 2008) by human being regardless of reasons of inconvenience or difficulty. Suffering is viewed by a majority of religious group as an opportunity for purification. To them, God gave life thus only Him has the right to get back life (Robinson, 2010). This is also evident in the Ten Commandments in which it is stipulated that “thou shall not kill”. With this, whether the patient is not in her sound judgment or is in pain, as long as his heart is still pumping, he has the right to live until to his last breath and there is no way euthanasia is ever justified. Administering any form of killing, be it legally recognized or medically accepted is similar to turning one’s back on God. Conclusion Although, euthanasia is considered the lesser evil when debating for the death of an incurable sick family member, it is considered murder. People live once and that life should be protected not only by the person himself but by the state. Undesired euthanasia could be avoided if the fundamental right of the person is respected Chirita (2008). In any circumstances, the statement “do no harm” should be applied. Reference Chirita, R., ( 2008). The legal nature of the right to life, the consequence of voluntary interference with life. Philobiblon. Vol. 8. de Vries, AJ., et al. ( 2011). When the end is near: an ICU patient who died at home. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 155 (26). Livings, B., ( 2010). A Right to Assist? Assisted Dying and the Interim Policy. Journal of criminal law. Mann, et al. (2004). Caring for patients and families at the end of life: withdrawal of intensive care in the patient's home. New Zealand Medical journal. 117(1196). McCabe, M., ( 2008). When doctors and patients disagree about medical futility. American society of clinical oncology. 4(4): 207-209. Robinson, BA., (2010). Ethical aspects of PAS. Retrieved from www.religioustolerance.org on November 14, 2011. Types of euthanasia. (2001). Retrieved from http://www.pregnantpause.org. on November 14, 2011. Wikipedia, (2011). Voluntary euthanasia. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org. on November 14, 2011. Read More