Introduction
The subject of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) has seen much controversy and debate on its legality, morality and ethics in recent past. Even the definition of the term euthanasia is itself subject to debate as it is a borrowed word. The term came into use after Francis Bacon used it to explain the peaceful death of emperor Augustus of ancient Rome. In the medicine field, the term was popularized in the 17th century to mean a painless death prescribed by a medical expert. National Cancer Institute defines euthanasia as the death of an individual after someone else; mostly a medical professional initiates about the death through any intervention for the benefit of the patient (“NCI Dictionary,” n.d). This paper will look deep at the scope of euthanasia with a focus on its technical aspects, legislation, laws, pros and cons regarding it.
Technical Aspects
With the advancement of medicine in the 20th century, dying became slower and more painful than it previously was. Physical accidents which were the most common cause of death were replaced by chronic illnesses that took more time to kill. During this time, the topic of hastened death became a concern in a legal circles and medical ethics field (Cholbi, 2017). Many papers and studies were conducted but to date a conclusive solution is yet to be found on the subject matter. The two main methods of making death quicker and less painful have always been euthanasia and PAS (Goligher et al., 2017). The two are closely related, and it may be hard to discuss one without going into the scope of the other (Emanuel et al., 2017). In euthanasia, the death procedure is performed by the physician, while in PAS, the professional provides the material assistance while the patient or their agent perform the process.
Before euthanasia is performed, the expert must ensure that four essential procedures are conducted. First, they must evaluate the patient and ensure unbearable and untreatable psychological and physical suffering on the patient. The patient is given only a few months to live. Second, the physician must ensure that all options that may be taken to relieve the patient from pain are exhausted, and there is no better alternative than death. Third, the medical professional should ensure all the pros and cons of the procedure are discussed with the victim. Lastly, the physician has to consult the victim’s family and relatives, and all must consent to them being euthanatized (Brazier, 2018). The physician should opt for PAS over euthanasia unless the victim cannot administer the procedure without help.
Public Policies
Belgium is one of the seven countries in the world to make euthanasia is legal. The other six include Luxembourg, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, the Netherlands and Colombia and a couple of states in the US (Jones et al., 2018). Although euthanasia and PAS are closely related, some countries like Belgium do not similarly regulate them. However, the Netherlands and Luxembourg act regulate assisted suicide in the same way as Euthanasia More countries have been lifting laws that prohibit euthanasia and PAS in the recent past. In Austria, a court ruled that the legislation of euthanasia being punishable by five-year imprisonment be lifted. In Canada, where the practice of helping patients commit suicide was illegal since 1972, has seen this legislation overruled by a 2014 Quebec bill (Komrad, 2021). More countries currently are in process to pass legislations to allow PAS in medical institutions.
One of the strictest countries against euthanasia is China, where euthanasia is punishable by death. Recently, though, an enormous debate has been brought to Congress to legalize it with all manner of arguments being presented. In China, a top legislator, Li Jie, told the media that cancer patients in the terminal stages feel acute pain (Xiaodong, 2019). To protect human dignity, Jie stated that euthanasia should be legalized to protect human dignity. Jie was supported by another legislator Ma Yide who suggests that patients with pain that cannot be relieved should receive euthanasia (Xiaodong, 2019). In Colombia, a constitutional court declared euthanasia legal, stating that the physician’s decision to induce suicide was justified when dealing with a terminally ill person.
The laws of PAS and euthanasia in the United Stated are different from one state to another. Only eleven states have passes laws that legalize euthanasia (Emanuel et al., 2017). Thirty-three states have laws prohibiting assisted suicide, and three states prohibit euthanasia by the common law. According to Emanuel et al. (2017), there are no federal laws that legalize euthanasia instead all legislations concerning assisted suicide are moved to the state jurisdictions. Public support for euthanasia and PAS in the United States has plateaued since the 1990s (Emanuel et al., 2017). Surveys also show that most doctors agree that individuals with terminal illnesses should be allowed PAS (Brenan, 2021). It is still a surprise because them most legislators are against passing laws to legalize euthanasia in the country.
Arguments Supporting
The subject of euthanasia is subject of much debate, and everyone has their own opinions. The majority of members of the general public support patients with terminal illnesses to be subjected to euthanasia (Brenan, 2021). Most, however, bring different arguments, with the views being able to be broken into four primary groups. First is an opinion based on the rights of the patient. A person has a right to die as the right to die does not violate other individuals’ rights. The second argument is the practicality of the matter as it is possible to regulate euthanasia. Death is a private matter, and one should be allowed PAS as long as death does not interfere with other people’s rights. The third is a philosophical argument in which some people question whether death is a bad (Brenan, 2021). The last idea is based on death itself, in which some members of the public view it as preferable useless pain.
Respect for autonomy allows patients to choose which medical practice they prefer in the medical industry. Patient independence serves as a justification for euthanasia where the physician does the client’s will. At its core, medicine has always aimed to relieve the suffering of patients from illness and disease (Dugdale et al., 2019). Thus, upon all options being exhausted, one may argue that medical professionals have the opportunity to perform euthanasia to relieve the suffering person. Many people agree that euthanasia is safer than suicide, which some patients are forced to choose. It is a safe way to relieve pain, and the chances of errors that may result in more suffering are reduced. The practice also facilitates nurses of extra work of monitoring suicidal patients closely.
Arguments Against
When physicians perform euthanasia, public members may see this as organized suicide, and a view of suicide not being wrong may be promoted. Supporters of the argument against euthanasia say that instances of suicide are high in communities where individuals have witnessed previous suicides. This argument is supported by a recent spike in youth suicidality following the airing of Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why” (Dugdale et al., 2019). Supporters of the ban against euthanasia say that it will help contain suicide. However, Dugdale et al. (2019) show that data and statistics do not directly correlate euthanasia and non-assisted suicide. David Philips a sociologist brought this argument of containing suicide by hiding high profile suicides (Jones et al., 2018). However, Philips did not test the relationship between euthanasia and suicide.
Critics of euthanasia also point out that the physical pain an individual is suffering is no longer the leading cause of wanting a PAS. Individuals not being able to live fully after recovering from the illness they are going through has been a significant factor. Others may opt for PAS for other reasons, including fear of being a burden to their caregivers, while others fear the loss of their dignity. In the seven countries where euthanasia is allowed, data shows that PAS is administered to patients with depression, dementia or who are tired of living (Dugdale et al., 2019). Vulnerable populations including women, children, persons above 80 years, persons living in-home care, and the less educated are also more likely to be euthanized (Jones et al., 2018). In some rare cases, patients thought to have terminal illnesses have recovered and lived entirely satisfactory lives, some say.
Personal Opinion and Conclusion
Like all other medical procedures, euthanasia comes with its share of disadvantages. Despite most countries not legalizing euthanasia, it is still practised in most institutions directly or indirectly. A more significant percentage of the general public agrees to euthanasia than that in opposition. Medical professionals also favour euthanasia to relieve pain. Euthanasia has its reasonable share of disadvantages but not when performed correctly. Some suffering is unacceptable, especially in cases where the patient has no fair chance of survival. In conclusion, doctors should perform euthanasia only when the patient has less than six months to live and is in unbearable pain.
References
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