Active Or Passive Euthanasia Morally Permissible?
Part One
INTRODUCTION
This study attempts to seek the core meaning of euthanasia (mercy killing), its application, how it can be beneficial to the society, its unconstructive effects, the stand of the church and its significance. Euthanasia has been largely affected by criticisms both from the field of medicine, religion, and law. In this study, the researchers shall identify those facts that govern the instances where in these fields interplay with each other to the various topics related to euthanasia and to its development.
Etymologically, in ancient times euthanasia meant an easy death without severe suffering. Today one no longer thinks of this original meaning of the word, but rather of some intervention of medicine whereby …show more content…
In his view, we should decide whether euthanasia is permissible in a particular case, irrespective of the means by which death would be brought about. Then, if we think that euthanasia is indeed permissible, we should favour the means that is most humane. Consequently, in cases where a dying patient 's suffering cannot be adequately relieved by palliative care, active euthanasia should actually be favoured over passive euthanasia because it ends the suffering more …show more content…
The physician did not use these alternatives when the patient indicated a desire to stop treatment because it "only would prolong suffering," or because the expected gain was not enough to make the treatment worthwhile.12 It should be noted that the level of consultation was significantly lower in life-termination acts without patient 's explicit request than in cases of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. A colleague was consulted in 48% of the cases (as compared with 84% in euthanasia and assisted suicide cases). Relatives were consulted in 72% of the cases (as compared with 94% in euthanasia and assisted suicide cases). In 68% of the cases, the physician felt no need for consultation because the situation was clear.13 Van der Maas and colleagues note that this should be considered in light of the very brief period by which life was shortened. 14 In 67% of the cases, life was shortened by fewer than twenty-four hours. In 21% of the cases, life was
INTRODUCTION
This study attempts to seek the core meaning of euthanasia (mercy killing), its application, how it can be beneficial to the society, its unconstructive effects, the stand of the church and its significance. Euthanasia has been largely affected by criticisms both from the field of medicine, religion, and law. In this study, the researchers shall identify those facts that govern the instances where in these fields interplay with each other to the various topics related to euthanasia and to its development.
Etymologically, in ancient times euthanasia meant an easy death without severe suffering. Today one no longer thinks of this original meaning of the word, but rather of some intervention of medicine whereby …show more content…
In his view, we should decide whether euthanasia is permissible in a particular case, irrespective of the means by which death would be brought about. Then, if we think that euthanasia is indeed permissible, we should favour the means that is most humane. Consequently, in cases where a dying patient 's suffering cannot be adequately relieved by palliative care, active euthanasia should actually be favoured over passive euthanasia because it ends the suffering more …show more content…
The physician did not use these alternatives when the patient indicated a desire to stop treatment because it "only would prolong suffering," or because the expected gain was not enough to make the treatment worthwhile.12 It should be noted that the level of consultation was significantly lower in life-termination acts without patient 's explicit request than in cases of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. A colleague was consulted in 48% of the cases (as compared with 84% in euthanasia and assisted suicide cases). Relatives were consulted in 72% of the cases (as compared with 94% in euthanasia and assisted suicide cases). In 68% of the cases, the physician felt no need for consultation because the situation was clear.13 Van der Maas and colleagues note that this should be considered in light of the very brief period by which life was shortened. 14 In 67% of the cases, life was shortened by fewer than twenty-four hours. In 21% of the cases, life was