- Published: November 16, 2022
- Updated: November 16, 2022
- University / College: University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
- Level: Masters
- Language: English
- Downloads: 17
Law and Euthanasia Law and Euthanasia Terminal illness or disease is a medical term that found its popularity in the 20th century. Terminal illness is regarded as a disease that cannot be cured; therefore, patients suffering such diseases are bound to die specifically within a very short period (Keown, 2002; Pg. 45). The common diseases that often lead to terminal illness include cancer and certain advanced heart diseases among others. These diseases often lead patients to great suffering, pain, and agony without signs of getting cured (Miller, 2009; Pg. 176); therefore, in most case patients, doctors, and or patients’ family members often suggest the termination of life of such patients as means of ending their (patients’) suffering (Scherer and Simon, 1999; Pg. 372). Ending lives of persons suffering from terminal diseases is often referred to Euthanasia or dying with dignity. Euthanasia is usually regulated by law and different countries have different laws and regulation to such deaths. British House of Lords delegated the responsibilities regarding to Euthanasia to its committee on the Medical Ethics (Jackson, 2005; Pg. 36). The committee was to define the conditions that would justify Euthanasia. It is worth noting involving the Medical ethics committee in defining terms and conditions for Euthanasia since they well conversant illness and situations when such patients should be helped overcome or when Euthanasia is to be executed (Dudley, 2002; Pg. 262). The committee that was initiated by delegates from the British House of Lords defined Euthanasia as the “ deliberate intervention usually executed with express intention of ending a life with an aim of relieving a person from intractable suffering (Rosenfeld and Sajo?, 2012; Pg. 85).” It is apparent that Euthanasia has pros and cons. One of the pro is that following the doctors’ diagnoses and confirmation that a patient is suffering terminal illness, it is upon them to offer solutions for the same. In cases where patients cannot survive and are in immense pain and suffering despite treatment doctors are justified to advice for euthanasia for such (Bloyd, 1995; Pg. 263). In this case, euthanasia is a real help for such patients and their families and friends. However, in cases where patients have been diagnosed with terminal illness but there are certain medications that can be used to comfort and prolong their lives, administration of euthanasia may be regarded as murder despite the nature of the disease (Tulloch, 2007; Pg. 66). Therefore, in such cases, such patients should just be under such medication until their dying days. Nonetheless, what if the patient (including families and friends) cannot afford such medications and may only leave them with huge debts (Biggs, 2000; Pg. 197). Apparently, the patient is already known to be dying in less than six months or so, may such families or friends, or even doctors advice for euthanasia? The law regarding terminal illness and financial matters shall help in answering this dilemma (Forrester and Griffiths, 2010; Pg. 159). In other words, different legislations have different ways and circumstances through which euthanasia can be administered (Cavan, 2000; Pg. 162). It is worth noting that there are different categories of euthanasia and they include voluntary Euthanasia, non- voluntary Euthanasia, and involuntary Euthanasia. Some schools of thoughts hold that non-voluntary and to some extent, voluntary Euthanasia can be regarded as killing of a patient as opposed to administering euthanasia to them (Keown, 1998; Pg. 271). Voluntary euthanasia is the conducting of a dignity death with the consent or knowledge of the patient. This form of euthanasia is applicable in many nations including in the United States where it was introduced though Cruzan v. Director Case that was filled against Missouri Department of Health that commissioned the practice (Medina, 2005; Pg. 189). However, it should be noted that patients can only commission their deaths through advice and assistance of their doctors. That is why sometimes euthanasia is referred to assisted suicide (Somerville, 2001; Pg. 168). This form of euthanasia is justifiable since there is involvement of the doctor who will be obliged to advise the patient, the legal team, and the family on the actual medical conditions of patients that can only be solved through euthanasia (Torr, 2000; Pg. 172). Additionally, it is worth noting the voluntary euthanasia is appropriate since it is only applicable to patients who are 18 years old and above. Patients who cannot sign for voluntary euthanasia due to their dire medical conditions, they are usually subjected to non voluntary where the consent or knowledge is never soughed for their euthanasia. The child euthanasia is the most common in the non voluntary euthanasia (McDougall, Gorman, and Roberts, 2008; Pg. 87). Child euthanasia is illegal worldwide since it may subject children to life discriminations. However, with certain specific medical circumstances, child euthanasia can be allowed to relief a child suffering terminal illness from pain and suffering (Dworkin, Frey, and Bok, 1998; Pg. 214). For instance, Netherlands is one of the countries that allows child euthanasia, but only under specific and dire circumstances. Euthanasia can sometimes be executed against the will of the patient, despite their knowledge that they are to be subjected to euthanasia. This type of euthanasia is known as involuntary euthanasia (Letellier, 2003; Pg. 63). This form of euthanasia is not common; nonetheless, it should never be allowed. Unlike non voluntary, involuntary seems to be undertaken forcefully with the knowledge of a patient regardless of their rejection. The involuntary euthanasia should be illegal at all costs; otherwise, it should be considered murder and be punished by law. List of References Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form BIGGS, H. (2000). Euthanasia, death with dignity and the law. Oxford, Hart. BLOYD, S. (1995). Euthanasia. San Diego, CA, Lucent Books. CAVAN, S. (2000). Euthanasia: the debate over the right to die. New York, Rosen Pub. Group. DUDLEY, W. (2002). Euthanasia. San Diego, Calif, Greenhaven Press. DWORKIN, G., FREY, R. G., & BOK, S. (1998). Euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. Cambridge [u. a.], Cambridge Univ. Press. FORRESTER, K., & GRIFFITHS, D. (2010). Essentials of law for health professionals. Chatswood, N. S. W., Elsevier Australia. JACKSON, L. (2005). Euthanasia. Chicago, Ill, Raintree. KEOWN, J. (1998). Euthanasia examined: ethical, clinical and legal perspectives. Cambridge [u. a.], Cambridge Univ. Press. KEOWN, J. (2002). Euthanasia, ethics, and public policy: an argument against legislation. New York, Cambridge University Press. LETELLIER, P. (2003). Ethical and human aspects. Strasbourg, Council of Europe. MCDOUGALL, J. F., GORMAN, M., & ROBERTS, C. S. (2008). Euthanasia: a reference handbook. Santa Barbara, Calif, ABC-CLIO. MEDINA, L. (2005). Euthanasia. Detroit [u. a.], Greenhaven Press. MILLER, C. A. (2009). Nursing for wellness in older adults. Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ROSENFELD, M., & SAJO?, A. (2012). The Oxford handbook of comparative constitutional law. Oxford, U. K., Oxford University Press. SCHERER, J. M., & SIMON, R. J. (1999). Euthanasia and the right to die: a comparative view. Lanham [u. a.], Rowman & Littlefield. SOMERVILLE, M. A. (2001). Death talk: the case against euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Montreal, Quebec, McGill-Queen’s University Press. TORR, J. D. (2000). Euthanasia: opposing viewpoints. San Diego, Greenhaven Press. TULLOCH, G. (2007). Euthanasia: choice and death. Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press. YOUNT, L. (2002). Euthanasia. San Diego, Calif, Greenhaven Press. Bottom of Form