The Ethics of Euthanasia

[Kiwi Dave]

Euthanasia raises a number of agonising moral dilemmas:

is it ever right to end the life of a terminally ill patient who is undergoing severe pain and suffering?
under what circumstances can euthanasia be justifiable, if at all?
is there a moral difference between killing someone and letting them die?
At the heart of these arguments are the different ideas that people have about the meaning and value of human existence.

Should human beings have the right to decide on issues of life and death?

There are also a number of arguments based on practical issues.

Some people think that euthanasia shouldn't be allowed, even if it was morally right, because it could be abused and used as a cover for murder.

Killing or letting die

Euthanasia can be carried out either by taking actions, including giving a lethal injection, or by not doing what is necessary to keep a person alive (such as failing to keep their feeding tube going).

'Extraordinary' medical care

It is not euthanasia if a patient dies as a result of refusing extraordinary or burdensome medical treatment.

Euthanasia and pain relief

It's not euthanasia to give a drug in order to reduce pain, even though the drug causes the patient to die sooner. This is because the doctor's intention was to relieve the pain, not to kill the patient. This argument is sometimes known as the Doctrine of Double Effect.

Mercy killing

Very often people call euthanasia 'mercy killing', perhaps thinking of it for someone who is terminally ill and suffering prolonged, unbearable pain.

Why people want euthanasia

Most people think unbearable pain is the main reason people seek euthanasia, but some surveys in the USA and the Netherlands showed that less than a third of requests for euthanasia were because of severe pain.

Terminally ill people can have their quality of life severely damaged by physical conditions such as incontinence, nausea and vomiting, breathlessness, paralysis and difficulty in swallowing.

Psychological factors that cause people to think of euthanasia include depression, fearing loss of control or dignity, feeling a burden, or dislike of being dependent.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/euthanasia/ ... ction.shtm

Thoughts on the ethics of euthanasia?

[brian ross]

I am in two minds as far as Euthanasia is concerned.

I do not seek to see patients suffer from a terminal illness. They should have a choice to end their lives when they wish and in dignity.

OTOH, I do believe that patients should be essentially murdered simply because they are "in the way", as some siblings/children might desire.

Personally, I would seek to end my own life if I was diagnosed with a terminal illness, rather than rely upon medicos to provide the function to me. I would make sure I was compos mentis and able to administer the drug I have chosen to end my life. I would not make it any other person's responsibility to administer it nor to even sit with my while I expired.

[Black Orchid]

I actually agree with Brian.

I think people should be able to choose to die if they are terminal and in pain and I too, if ever in that position, would do it alone. I couldn't think of anything worse or more selfish than having family members or friends watch you die. They will have to live with that forever.

The biggest problem I see is grubby greedy children/relatives who may make this call for you (for their own gain) when you aren't in a position to make it for yourself.

I, too, am in two minds.

[Kiwi Dave]

On the other hand, my 71 year old mother has said to me since I was about 12, to “put a pillow over her head” when the time comes. It’s an unfair position to put me in, but she says it because we don’t have euthanasia and she doesn’t want to suffer.

As to both Brian’s and black Orchids posts, I would want to be with my loved ones when they die, just as I would like loved ones there for me. Why are the denizens of the west so afraid of death? It will happen to all of us.

As for greedy offspring “bumping their parents off” were euthanasia to be made legal, why can’t an individual draw up a legal document stipulating the how, when and what’s of being euthanised?

[Black Orchid]

You would have to have something legally drawn up way ahead of time and then it may not be enforced either way. Once someone gets old and/or starts to develop dementia all one has to do is put papers in front of them and they will sign anything.

An Enduring Guardian has the final call if they have had their mother/father/relative sign it.

[brian ross]

You would have to have something legally drawn up way ahead of time and then it may not be enforced either way. Once someone gets old and/or starts to develop dementia all one has to do is put papers in front of them and they will sign anything.

An Enduring Guardian has the final call if they have had their mother/father/relative sign it.

You should make out, well ahead a Power of Attorney to whomever you trust the most. That person can then decide if treatment is to be stopped or life support machinery turned off.

[Black Orchid]

Power of Attorney covers finances. Enduring Guardian covers health and welfare decisions.

[Texan]

My FIL passed away earlier this year. He had alzheimer's and it progressively got worse. When he found out 4 years ago, he immediately gave his guns to his grandkids. (or their parents in the case of my youngest) He quit driving about a year later and when my MIL broke her hip, they had to move in with us and my SIL.(alternating every month or so) Before he moved in, he made it known that he didn't want any kind of surgery, feeding tubes, IVs or life support. Last year it became too hard to safely take care of at home. After catching him from slipping in the shower a few times, we decided that he needed full time professional care. He did pretty well in the nursing home. He ate well and he seemed to enjoy himself. He tried to get out of his wheelchair and fell and hit his head. His impairment from the stroke that they discovered left him unable to eat or drink. It took him 2-3 days to die. During that time he was kept comfortable with morphine and all of his family got to say their goodbyes. He was 89 years old and lived a good life with his wife of 69 years.

It was tough on everyone, but then we were all relieved to know that he is not suffering and we can take better care of my MIL.

If someone wants to kill themselves, that's on them. I don't want to be part of it. I had an uncle who committed suicide a few years ago. He did it in a way that nobody else would be hurt and his step son(my cousin who is a cop) would be the one to find him. He was in a lot of pain, but it just seemed kind of cowardly and selfish to kill yourself. I don't think I could ever do that to my family.

[Black Orchid]

Sorry to hear about your father in law but it seems he was well cared for and also thought ahead to his own demise which is a huge positive.

I know people who commit suicide think there is no hope and no way out for them but if they gave the slightest though to those who they leave behind, especially those who have to find them, there would be a lot less grief in the world. I feel so sorry for your cousin.