Euthanasia

Euthanasia is derived from the Greek words “eu” meaning good or

well and “thanatus” meaning death; thus, euthanasia means good
or merciful death.

It refers to the practice of terminating a life of a terminally ill patient

to relieve him or her from pain and suffering.

It is the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human

being for his or her alleged benefit. (The key word here is
"intentional". If death is not intended, it is not an act of euthanasia)

Forms of Euthanasia

Euthanasia comes in several different forms, each of which brings

a different set of rights and wrongs.

1- Active (Euthanasia by action) – death is brought by an ACT.

It entails the use of lethal substances or forces to kill. This is the

most controversial form of euthanasia.

2- Passive (Euthanasia by omission) – death is brought about by

an OMISSION.

Intentionally causing death by not providing necessary and

ordinary (usual and customary) care or food and water. It entails
the withholding of treatments such as administration of antibiotics
or any drugs or intervention necessary for the continuance of life.
Switching off the machine that keeps the person alive and
withholding the surgery that may extend the life of the person is
under this form of euthanasia.

Classification

Euthanasia is categorized in different ways, which include

voluntary, non-voluntary, or involuntary:
1- Voluntary euthanasia: When the person who is killed has
requested to be killed, this type of euthanasia is often termed as
assisted suicide; As someone provides an individual with the
information, guidance, and means to take his or her own life with
the intention that they will be used for this purpose. When it is a
doctor who helps another person to kill themselves it is called
"physician assisted suicide."

Voluntary euthanasia is made legal in countries such as Belgium,

the Netherlands, Switzerland, Luxemburg, and the US states of
Oregon and Washington.

2- Non-voluntary: When the person who is killed made no request

and gave no consent, e.g. when a patient is unconscious or is still
a child and unable to make meaningful choices between living and
dying, and an appropriate person takes the decision on their behalf
non-voluntary euthanasia is practiced.
non-voluntary euthanasia is illegal in all countries.
3- Involuntary euthanasia: When the person who is killed made
an expressed wish to the contrary (in cases where the dying
patient chooses life but is killed anyway).

Involuntary euthanasia is usually considered murder.

Ethical Arguments on Euthanasia

Those who are against mercy killing have the following ethical
arguments: ]ending the life of a terminally ill patient in extreme
suffering is consistent with the ethic of beneficence in that it is a
compassionate and merciful response that brings relief, and is also
consistent with the ethic of autonomy, which allows people who
competently request euthanasia to have their wish respected[.

Cons

1. Euthanasia might not be promoting the patient’s best interests.

2. Slippery slope argument: if voluntary euthanasia were to
become legal in countries nationwide, most probably
involuntary euthanasia will be committed at a higher rate.
Doctors soon may start killing terminal patients involuntarily.
3. Accepting euthanasia means admitting that some people’s
lives are more worth than others.
4. It weakens the society’s respect for the holiness of life.
Pros

1. People have the right to die.

2. Euthanasia causes no harm to others and the state, thus, other
people have no right to interfere with it.
3. Euthanasia once made legal can be regulated, thus, preventing
the incidence of involuntary euthanasia.
4. Allowing a terminally ill patient to die would free the family from
financial problems.

Living Wills

- Prepared while patient has decisional capacity.

- Describes patient preferences in the event they become
incapable of making decisions or communicating decisions.
- Usually describes what type of life prolonging procedures the
patient would or would not want and circumstances under which
they would want these procedures carried out, withheld, or
withdrawn.