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Euthanasia is a very controversial topic. In Poland, euthanasia is forbidden, but in some countries it is allowed. The topic returns more and more often and many patients want to fight for the right to decide about their lives. Find out what euthanasia is and why it is so controversial.
Euthanasia – definition
Euthanasia has many meanings. It refers to shortening the life of a terminally ill and suffering person. The decision about euthanasia is made by the sick person or their family. Note, however, that euthanasia is only allowed in certain countries. In Poland, it is considered a murder and is punished this way.
The term was first used in the XNUMXth BC in the comedy Kratinos. The word euthanasia has been used to refer to a person who has a good death, but the exact meaning has not been clarified.
Euthanasia – controversy
Euthanasia is an important ethical issue that divides entire societies. For supporters of euthanasia it is a way of respecting the will of a sick person or reducing the pain and suffering of a loved one and shortening a serious illness. These people argue that everyone should have the right to a dignified death, which means that it should be free from unnecessary suffering and agony.
In turn, opponents of euthanasia they consider human life a gift of God, so only God can decide about its end. Human life has the highest value for them, regardless of its quality. Additionally, opponents use the argument that euthanasia is a game of God, and it is not people who should decide who can live and who can not.
Check it out: Who is responsible for the tragedy of the sick?
Euthanasia – types
Euthanasia is classified into two types:
- passive euthanasiaor orthothanasia – this concept means that a decision is made to stop artificially supporting the life of a sick person. The patient is then in such a serious condition that stopping treatment will lead to his death, and any other form of treatment will not improve or cure him. In this case, the patient’s death is accelerated because the doctors cease to act to support the patient’s life. Such action is most often taken at the explicit request of the patient or under the influence of compassion for the patient;
- active euthanasia, i.e. pity killing – this form of euthanasia is aimed at taking deliberate action that the doctor takes at the patient’s request. A doctor who sympathizes with the patient takes steps to lead to his death, if the patient does not die earlier of natural causes. The doctor gives the patient the drugs that cause his death, gives him a lethal dose of drugs that the patient takes alone or gives an injection, after which the patient does not wake up. However, there must be circumstances in which the patient’s consent to euthanasia is valid.
Taking into account the patient’s state of consciousness, one can also distinguish:
- conscious euthanasia (explicit);
- unconscious euthanasia (secret) or cryptanasia.
In addition, euthanasia can also be divided into:
- personal euthanasiawhen the patient or his family decides about the patient’s death;
- legal euthanasiawhen the patient’s death is decided by the law of a given country or the law allows for such actions.
Euthanasia – sedation
A term akin to euthanasia is sedation. However, it affects terminally ill patients and aims to hasten their deaths. Sedation is performed at the patient’s request. It involves bringing the patient into a state of deep relaxation, which is often associated with shallow sleep. This condition ends with a slow death. Sedation is allowed in some countries such as France.
Check it out: How to nourish a sick person – 10 rules
Euthanasia – the law
Euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Albania and Luxembourg and is carried out under different rules. It is also worth knowing that in Belgium it is the most valid liberal euthanasia lawwhich allows its execution regardless of age. On the other hand, in the Netherlands, children under the age of 12 cannot be euthanized. In other countries where euthanasia is legally possible, it is prohibited for minors.
It is also important to distinguish between euthanasia and consent to discontinue treatment. In some countries, terminally ill people may choose not to undergo treatment at their own discretion, even if this may result in their death. This law, however, applies to the so-called persistent therapies that are used in terminally ill people. Such treatment is not intended to cure them, but only to extend their life or die. It is often associated with prolonging the patient’s suffering.
Such activities are often confused with euthanasia because the situation is very similar to that of passive euthanasia. However, it all depends on the intention to stop treatment, which may be killing life or restoring the natural dying process. You can refuse to start and continue treatment, e.g. in Spain and Germany.
Check it out: Euthanasia on request. Will suicide be legal and the “last will” pill available over the counter?
Euthanasia – procedure in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, a patient does not have to be terminally ill to perform euthanasia. However, the process of reaching euthanasia is structured in such a way as to minimize pressure from family or doctors.
In the Netherlands, the decision to euthanize is reviewed after it is carried out by a team of lawyers, doctors and ethics called the Regional Euthanasia Control Commission (RTE). It is composed of three lawyers, three doctors and three ethicists. They are elected for four-year terms. There are five such committees in the Netherlands.
Documentation of the euthanasia performed is sent to the commission by the home physician or the patient’s attending physician. The task of the commission is now to check whether certain conditions have been met:
- the physician must be sure that the patient is voluntarily requesting euthanasia and has carefully considered this decision;
- the patient’s condition is so severe that his suffering is unbearable and the condition will not improve despite treatment;
- the patient has obtained extensive information from the doctor about his condition and prognosis;
- the patient and the doctor came to the conclusion that euthanasia is the only sensible solution;
- the physician consulted another independent physician who examined the patient and made a written statement regarding the patient’s state of health;
- the doctor performed euthanasia or helped the patient end his life on his own in a medically appropriate manner.
Documentation is assessed by an experienced lawyer as being unequivocal or worth discussing and dispelling any doubts that may arise. The clear-cut situations are usually cancer, COPD, heart failure or multiple lateral sclerosis.
If the committee determines that a given case raises doubts, it is examined by a team of three, and very complex cases are assessed by all 45 members of 5 committees throughout the Netherlands.
Euthanasia – mental illness and dementia
However, there are cases where patients, although not terminally ill, find their lives unbearable or suffer from various mental illnesses. Then it is necessary to consult a psychiatrist. It states whether person asking for euthanasia there is simply no depression.
The most controversial are the cases of people who struggle with incurable mental illnesses. They do not suffer from physical pain, but in their opinion everyday life is unbearable. These are people with chronic depression, anxiety or Alzheimer’s disease.