EUTHANASIA

EUTHANASIA

Etymology: eu = good or happy thanatos = death

Meaning: An action or an omission which of itself or by intention causes death, in order that all suffering may in this way be eliminated.

Main Distinctions:• Active (positive or direct)• Passive (negative or indirect)

Active = directly willed or some means are used to terminate a person’s life for merciful reasons. It is also called “mercy killing”.

Maybe voluntary or nonvoluntary• voluntary = requested by the

patient• nonvoluntary = when others

choose death for the patient

Passive = it is allowing a terminally ill person to die.

Maybe voluntary or nonvoluntary• voluntary = requested by the patient• nonvoluntary = when others make the

decision for the patient

Ordinary and Extra ordinary means of treatment

Ordinary means • also called proportionate or obligatory

means.

Proportionate means are those that in the judgment of the patient offer a

reasonable hope of benefit and do not entail an excessive burden or impose excessive expense on the family or the community

Extra Ordinary means • also called disproportionate or optional means.• those that in the patient’s judgment do not offer a reasonable hope of benefit or if ever there is hope, the possibility of benefit is so little compared to the excessive expense on the family or the community.

OrthothanasiaEtymology: correct dying It is the same as passive euthanasia. It is allowing a person to die a dignified and natural death.

DysthanasiaEtymology: means faulty or imperfect death. It is the medical process through which the moment of death is postponed by all means available. It may be considered as an undue prolongation of death.

Arguments in favor of active euthanasia (mercy killing)

• compassion for the suffering personthe intention is to end the “unbearable suffering” of a dying person.

• quality-of-life argumentbased on the assumption that there are people who have the right to judge whether or not a person is living a “quality” life or a person’s life may be terminated or prolonged depending on its “value”.

Church teaching on the morality of

Euthanasia

Whatever its motives and means are, active euthanasia is morally unacceptable.

Active voluntary euthanasia constitutes suicide

Active non-voluntary euthanasia constitutes murder

Discontinuing medical procedure that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome

can be legitimate, it is the refusal of “overzealous” treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one’s inability to

impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he/she is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient,

whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected (CCC

#2278)

Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot

be legitimately interrupted. The use of painkillers to alleviate the sufferings of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be morally in conformity with human dignity if death is not willed as

either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable. Palliative care is a special form of disinterested charity. As such it should be encouraged. (CCC

#2279).