Euthanasia

Synopsis

Euthanasia is used to describe the practice, which a doctor or other carer might undertake that might result in shortening a person’s life. This definition could include, withdrawing life-sustaining treatment or the administration of a lethal, non-therapeutic drug. The Greek meaning for euthanasia is “easy or happy death.” The practice of euthanasia has become illegal, and is recognized in no nation. Euthanasia continues to be regarded as contrary to humanitarian and ethical principles and is highly punishable.

History

Euthanasia has been accepted both legally and morally in various forms in many societies. In ancient Greece and Rome it was permissible in some situations to help others die. With a rise of organized religions, euthanasia becomes morally and ethical. Christianity, Judaism and Islam all hold human life sacred and condemn euthanasia in any form. Western laws have generally considered the act of helping someone to die a form of homicide subject to legal sanctions. Euthanasia, however, occurs secretly in all societies including those in which it is held to be immoral and illegal. The core of the challenge of euthanasia is ethical because human life is in stake. Unlawful killing can be committed by an act or by an omission when there was a lawful duty to protect or preserve a life.

Many polls have been taken; however, the results vary according to the precise questions asked. In 1995 Australians Northern Territory approved a euthanasia bill. It went into effect in 1996 and was overturned by the Australian Parliament in 1997.

Medical ethics

The study published in April 23, 1997, New English Journal of Medicine, shows that while 36% of doctors would be willing to write lethal prescriptions if this were legal, only 11% are willing to do so now when it is against the law. Since entering practice 18.3% of all doctors have received a request for a lethal prescription, but only 3.3% have actually written one. The survey results show that, at a minimum, laws protection against Euthanasia prevent over 2/3 of these doctors willing to kill their patients from doing so, and almost certainly keep down the number of killings done even by doctors willing to act in spite of the law.

The prueuthanasia, or “right to die,” movement has received considerable encouragement by the passage of laws in 40 states by 1991, which allow legally competent individuals to make “living wills.” These wills empower and instruct doctors to withhold life-support systems if the individuals become terminally ill.

The Physician-Assisted suicide Oregon Trial

Ballot Measure 16, November 4, 1994

Result of yes vote: legalizes doctor-assisted suicide

Result of No vote: Legislation fails

Votes

Campaign expenditures

Yes

51 percent

627 980

$600 000

No

49 percent

596 018

$1 500 000

(Due to court challenges, the Death with Dignity act was not implemented until October 27, 1997.)

Ballot Measure 51, November 4, 1997

Result of Yes vote: Repeals doctor-assisted suicide law

Result of No vote: Retains doctor-assisted suicide law

Votes

Campaign expenditures

No

60 percent

666 275

$966 000

Yes

40 percent

445 830

$4 077 882

In March 1998, two people who were terminally ill became the first ones to get physician-assisted suicide under the terms of the Death With Dignity Act, 1994.

The criteria, which govern whether the new law is necessary, include these:

• The matter is not emendable to resolution by social change

• The need for new law has been amply demonstrated

• The matter is sufficiently important to merit the force of law

• The new law will not be subject to significant abuse

• It’s anticipated outcomes are likely to be achieved

• Those outcomes will be better than those that presently exist will

Virtually every one of these criteria would be absent from any proposal to allow euthanasia to become legal.

The key issues involved are whether euthanasia is best to be legal or illegal. Do the advantages out weigh the disadvantages or visa versa?

Advantages of Euthanasia

• Euthanasia can end a patient’s life peacefully, painlessly and with dignity

• The patient has the option to choose when to end their life.

• The patient’s family would be prepared for the sorrow.

• Euthanasia saves money in medical bills.

Disadvantages of Euthanasia

• Patient’s can easily commit suicide

• Doctors can diagnose their patient’s incorrectly

• Patients could be pressured into euthanasia when they are unsure

• The Patient’s diseases cure could be found after euthanasia has taken place.

Conclusion

To kill sometimes in the name of humanity may be a temptation, but where and how would the line be drawn once killing for social reasons had been accepted? Changing the law to meet these admittedly off hand cases would be the opposite of using the law to protect the common good.

Bibliography

Bibliography

Pollard, Brian. (1994). THE CHALLENGE OF EUTHANASIA. Little Hill Books.

Parsons, Ian. Newell, Dr Christopher. (1996). MANAGING MORTALITY EUTHANASIA ON TRIAL. Geelong, Villamanta Publishing Service.

AUSTRALIAN INFOPEDIA 2. (1996). Funk and Wagnall’s Encyclopedia. SoftKey Multimedia Inc.

INTERNET SITE: http://www.finalexit.org/Orlawframe.html

INTERNET SITE: http://www.relgioustolerance.org/euthanas.htm

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