The Ethical Consequence of Euthanasia - Essay Example

Karen Quinlan’s consent was not taken and the parents’ decision to withdraw the treatment was based on their assumption that their daughter would not like to live through machines (Morrow, 2012). I think that it is more difficult to withdraw life-sustaining treatment after it has started than to withhold life-sustaining treatment from the start because once started, the hospital also assumes and shares the responsibility of withdrawing the treatment with the party that asks for it.

Karen Quilan’s case provides evidence for it. The matter was complicated as the hospital challenged Karen’s parents’ decision legally. Having lost the case, Karen’s parents had to file another case in the New Jersey Supreme Court to finally have their wish granted. The risk that the patient would die upon withdrawal of the treatment makes this move very controversial and critical. When the treatment is not given from the start, the tendency of the life-sustaining treatment to save the patient remains unjudged, so the party might get the benefit of the doubt.