Euthanasia

1. Euthanasia

2. Glossary of terms about Euthanasia • Voluntary euthanasia • When the person who is killed requested to be killed • Non-voluntary euthanasia • When the person who is killed made no request and gave no consent • Involuntary euthanasia • When the person who is killed made an express wish stating that they did not want to be killed

3. Assisted Suicide • Someone provides an individual with information, guidance and the means to take their own life with the intention they will use it for this purpose • Euthanasia by action • Intentionally causing a person’s death by performing an action such as by giving them a lethal injection • Euthanasia by omission • Intentionally causing death by not providing necessary and ordinary care of food or water

4. What is Euthanasia? The word euthanasia is derived from two Greeks words meaning “pleasant or painless death.” This is one instance where a good motive is supposed to make wrong things right. It is the intentional killing of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit. (The key word here is intentional. If the death is not intended, it is not an act of euthanasia.) Voluntary euthanasia is the deliberate ending of a person's life at their request, by another person, because they find their illness intolerable.  Involuntary euthanasia, on the other hand, is the ending of a person's life without their request because some other party considers their life is intolerable or it's quality not worth having.

5. What is the legal situation for Euthanasia? Euthanasia laws around the world are clear in some nations but unclear – if they exist at all – in others. Just because a country has not defined its criminal code on this specific action it does not mean all people who try to help a person through this act will go free.

6. 1. New Zealand The law in New Zealand does deal with euthanasia directly. However there are sections of the law that may indicate that euthanasia is not accepted by the courts of New Zealand. The Crimes Act 1961 – Legislates on the issue of taking one’s own life and bringing about the death of another whether it be by withholding essentials of life, giving substances to hasten death and the assisting of a suicide. Section 151: Duty to provide the necessities of life. Passive forms of euthanasia withhold the necessities of life and hence a person dies from starvation or dehydration which can take several weeks. Section 164: Acceleration of death. If a person was terminally ill and required care or medication and their care giver failed to give this then they would have committed an offence. This also encompasses the possibility of a caregiver giving a person an overdose as a means of euthanasia. Section 179: Aiding and abetting suicide. Everyone is liable for imprisonment for a term up to 14 years. Cases are rare and the penalties tend to be very lenient.

7. 2. Oregon – America The state of Oregon has had a physician assisted suicide law since 1994 which was implemented in 1997. Since then more than 100 terminally ill people have taken advantage of it to hasten their deaths. 3. United Kingdom In England and Wales there is a possibility of up to 14 years imprisonment for anybody assisting suicide. Suicide is however not a crime. 4. Continental Europe Three countries openly and legally authorise assisted suicide of dying patients: i) Switzerland ii) Belgium iii) Netherlands Two doctors must be involved in the process in Belgium and the Netherlands, plus a psychologist if there are any doubts over the patient’s mental competency. The same two countries permit voluntary euthanasia, but Switzerland bans death by injection and all have “residents only” rules. In all three countries the Police are always well informed of what is going on.

8. What are the main arguments surrounding Euthanasia? Supporting Euthanasia • The patient's right to autonomy or to choose • The physician's duty to respect their patients decisions • The physician's need to alleviate pain and unbearable suffering • Inducing a gentle and easy death to a suffering and barely alive patient Opposing Euthanasia • The right to choose is infringed upon regardless of what decision is made concerning the request of euthanasia • No clear distinction between gratifying patient and physician's judgment • Lack of consensus in clearly defining euthanasia • Present situations and practices in the Netherlands • The tendency for history to repeat itself • Examples of euthanasia and related acts practiced regardless of the law

9. Many Doctors have been surveyed on their opinion on Euthanasia, those in favour suggest the following restrictions and safeguards: • Psychiatric consultation • Availability of hospice care • Treatment of depression • Two or more supporting Doctors opinions • Consent of the family • A committee nominated by the Medical Council to review and agree to the decision

10. Those opposing Euthanasia did so on the following basis: • Religious beliefs • It is inconsistent with the Doctors role in preserving life • Fear of people not adhering to the requirements • Pressure on patients who fear dependence on people or humiliation • Widespread misuse for handicapped and retarded patients

11. Issues that arise from Euthanasia Biological Issues • The desire for suicide is often a strong indication that the physical and emotional sufferings of the patient have not been adequately treated. By applying better pain relief the need “to take away someone’s pain” diminishes. • Many illnesses cause disfigurement on the body and many patients would rather pass away remembering how they used to be rather than come to terms with how they look now. This can also cause a strain on family and spousal relationships.

12. Medical Issues • The money involved in providing Hospice care for those patients suffering from a terminal illness is immense, not only for the families but also in terms of the staff and Doctors required for staffing. • Many Doctors need more training in pain control. If the Doctor is not treating the pain do we need to kill the patient or do we need another Doctor?

13. Psychological issues • The stress at seeing loved ones go through the suffering may put pressure on the patient to ask for Euthanasia. • Emotional pain often goers unaddressed. This is often a much greater influence on the patient’s decisions than physical pain. • Being dependant on other people for every want and need can be very emotionally traumatic for many ill patients giving them a sense of hopelessness • Many ill patients experience a loss of role in the family thus losing their sense of belonging.

14. Social Issues • The immediate family are often hit hard by the illness of a loved one. Often they are under more emotional pressure than the ill person. Is a family member under this much pressure a non biased person when it comes to deciding whether the person should live or die. • A depressed family member may reinforce or suggest suicidal thoughts to the ill patient. Religious Beliefs • The bible states “Thou shall not kill” the sixth commandment. Those particularly religious people will have issues with taking their own lives if the are terminally ill or deciding on a case for euthanasia if one of their relations is in grave pain. Questions: 1. Who is advantaged by euthanasia being illegal in most places? 2. Who is disadvantaged?

15. Potential ethical issues arising from Euthanasia: • Is it ethical to assist actively in the death of another human being? • Is it ethical to assist passively in the death of another human being? • Should human have the legal right to end their own lives? • Do doctors have an obligation to preserve life regardless of the quality of that life? • Is there a moral difference between giving a lethal drug dose and ending a person’s life by starving them? • Is it more ethical to allow a person to suffer through illness or to end that suffering?