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Euthanasia
Euthanasia is one of the most acute and uncomfortable contemporary
problems in medical ethics. Is Euthanasia Ethical? The case for euthanasia
rests on one main fundamental moral principle: mercy. It is not a new
issue; euthanasia has been discussed-and practised-in both Eastern and
Western cultures from the earliest historical times to the present. But
because of medicine's new technological capacities to extend life, the
problem is much more p Euthanasia is a way of granting mercy-both by direct
killing and by letting the person die. This principle of mercy establishes
two component duties:
1. the duty not to cause further pain or suffering; and 2. the duty to act
to end pain or suffering already occurring.
Under the first of these, for a physician or other caregiver to extend
mercy to a suffering patient may mean to refrain from procedures that cause
further suffering-provided, of course, that the treatment offers the
patient no overriding benefits. The ph s performed even though a patient's
survival is highly unlikely; although patients in arrest are unconscious at
the time of resuscitation, it can be a brutal procedure, and if the patient
regains consciousness, its aftermath can involve considerable pain. In many
such cases, the patient will die whether or not the treatments are
performed. In some cases, however, the principle of mercy may also demand
withholding treatment that could extend the patient's life if the treatment
is itself painful or discomfort. The principle of mercy may also demand
letting die in a still stronger sense. Under its second component, the
principle asserts a duty to act to end suffering that is already occurring.
Medicine already honours this duty through its various techniques. Ending
the pain, though with it the life, may be accomplished through what is
usually called "passive euthanasia", withholding or withdrawing treatment
that could prolong life. In the most indirect of these cases, the patient
is simply not given treatme The second component of the mercy principle may
also demand the easing of pain by means more direct than mere allowing to
die; it may require killing. This usually is called "active euthanasia.
In passive euthanasia, treatment is withheld that could su cesses and
waits for eventual death to ensue; rather. it is one that brings the pain-
and the patient's life- to an end now. If there are also grounds on which
it is merciful not to prolong life, then there are grounds on which it is
merciful to terminat Pain is a thing of the medical past, and euthanasia is
no longer necessary, though it may have been, to relieve pain. Given modern
medical technology and recent remarkable advances in pain management, the
sufferings of the morally wounded and dying can It is flatly incorrect to
say that all pain, including pain in terminal illness, is or can be
controlled. Some people still die in unspeakable agony. With superlative
care, many kinds of pain can indeed be reduced in many patients, and
adequate control ncy may mean an agonizing final few hours. Even a patient
receiving the most advanced and sympathetic medical attention may still
experience episodes of pain, perhaps altering with consciousness, as his or
her condition deteriorates and the physician att In all of these cases, of
course, the patient can be sedated into unconsciousness; this does indeed
end the pain. But in respect of the patient's experience, this is
tantamount to causing death: the patient has no further conscious
experience and thus
ADDITIONAL FEATURED ESSAYS
Euthanasia Overview
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A Definitive Argument On Euthanasia
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Euthanasia: Precious Life
My impression is that the idea of euthanasia, if not the practice, is gradually gaining acceptance within our society. P
Euthanasia: The Right To Die
Euthanasia is a very controversial topic. People argue as to whether or not a person who is terminally ill, or handicap,
Euthanasia: The Right To Die
Euthanasia is a very controversial topic. People argue as to whether or not a person who is terminally ill, or handicap,
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