EUTHANASIA: ETHICAL METHOD OF SAVING LIVES
A Term Paper
Presented to
Student League for Academic Advancement and Progress
Mindanao State University
Marawi City
In Partial Fulfillments of
the Requirement for the
Application Process, 2nd Phase, 2021-2022
by
Ricardo M. Lumacad Jr.
December 2021
Euthanasia: Ethical Method Of saving lives
Thesis Statement: Many people believe that physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia
should not be accepted by society for a variety of reasons however, others strongly
believe that it should be accepted by society for a variety of reasons and rational
choices.
Introduction: It is forgone conclusion that an individual, once placed upon this earth
without his consent, ethically has the power and capacity to choose between good life
and good death. Definition
Euthanasia
I. Voluntary Euthanasia
II. Non-Voluntary Euthanasia
III. Involuntary Euthanasia
Countries that Legalize Euthanasia
I. Netherlands
II. Belgium
III. Spain
IV. Relevance to Philippines
There are moral and ethical questions concerning euthanasia.
I. Sacredness of human life
II. Hippocratic Oath
III. Way to relief
Factors positively associated with requesting euthanasia
I. Patient Suffering
II. Financial Stability
III. Patients Age
Conclusion: In a brief conclusion, euthanasia has raised ethical concerns in the
society. However, in a rational way of thinking euthanasia is ethical and humanitarian
act.
Introduction
The world that we are currently living is full of sacrifices and Mystery, Society is at
its peak waiting for you to come out and play and look at what kind of world we live in
today. It is us the people who inhabit this world will decide when to unlock the mystery
and withstand the sacrifices. Is it possible for a man to have the right to die in addition to
the right to live? Is he, more specifically, entitled to a dignified death? Is the deprivation
of life for merciful reasons an ethical or morally wrong?
Euthanasia, also called mercy killing, act or practice of painlessly putting to
death persons suffering from painful and incurable disease or incapacitating physical
disorder or allowing them to die by withholding treatment or withdrawing artificial
lifesupport measures. In today’s world, in spite of technological and scientific progress,
especially in the field of laws and regulations related to human health there is still
ambiguity and controversy over the concept of peaceful death which is euthanasia.
Euthanasia is one of the issues that has sparked heated debate over the years.
It has been a topic of discussion in human rights circles because it affects ethical and
legal issues concerning patients and health care providers.
This paper aims to discuss euthanasia’s advantages and its ethical method of
saving lives. This term paper is attempted to enlighten the minds and view of the people
on the positive impact of euthanasia into our society. This paper is organized to discuss
and show viewpoints from both sides of the arguments and is concluded with the
writer’s opinion. A case scenario was selected and discussed for better understanding
of this issue of euthanasia
Definition
Euthanasia
The word ‘euthanasia’ is derived from the Greek word euthanatos meaning
‘easy death’.Generally it is used to describe the process of intentionally terminating a
person’s life to reduce their pain and suffering. Euthanasia is sought not only by those
suffering excruciating pain, but for other reasons such as changes in quality of life
resulting from catastrophic physical injury and psychological factors associated with
incurable diseases.[1]
Euthanasia is often called “mercy killing”. It is intentionally making someone
die, rather than allowing that person to die naturally. It is an act of ending someone’s
life, who is erminally ill, or is suffering in severe pain.[2]
Research on Euthanasia Euthanasia is the procedure of taking another human’s life
typically by the injection of three drugs at the patient's own will to want to die instead of
living with pain from an incurable disease or illness. About 50% of people believe that
Euthanasia is a good thing to have available to their loved ones. The other 50% believe
it’s murder. Euthanasia is the only cure for some diseases and illnesses so imagine
having to sit there watching your loved ones suffer in pain. [3]
Euthanasia’ is often incorrectly characterised as representing one particular
kind of practice. However, it is more accurately understood as an umbrella term which
covers a vast array of practices that can be described as different forms of euthanasia.
1
These include:
I. Voluntary Euthanasia
Voluntary euthanasia refers to a situation in which a patient explicitly expresses a
wish to die while suffering unbearably. Voluntary Euthanasia is a person’s right to die
with dignity rather than continue a life of pain and suffering. I believe that a tremendous
ill patient has the moral right to decide whether they should continue to fit or not.
There’s some illness a person cannot handle even with the best pain reliever, or when
the person lost all the tolerance and control of his or her body.[4]
II. Non-voluntary Euthanasia
Non-voluntary euthanasia occurs when the person is unconscious or otherwise
unable (for example, a very young baby or a person of extremely low intelligence) to
make a meaningful choice between living and dying, and an appropriate person takes
the decision on their behalf.[5]
Non-voluntary euthanasia is euthanasia conducted when the explicit consent of
the individual concerned is unavailable, such as when the person is in a persistent
vegetative state, or in the case of young children.[6]
Rational choices will enter to the Non-Voluntary Euthanasia since it will be
decided by the people surrounds the patient, the person cannot make their wishes
known. We must consider the family, surroundings, and the society in making the
choices of Non- Voluntary Euthanasia.
2
III. Involuntary Euthanasia
Involuntary Euthanasia- without the consent of the patient, for example, if the
patient is unconscious and his or her wishes are unknown. Some ethicists distinguish
between “involuntary” (against the patient’s wishes) and “nonvoluntary” (without the
patient’s consent but wishes are unknown) forms. Involuntary euthanasia occurs when
euthanasia is performed on a person who would be able to provide informed consent,
but does not, either because they do not want to die, or because they were not asked.
Involuntary euthanasia is contrasted with voluntary euthanasia.
The person wants to live but is killed anyway. This is usually murder or act of
mercy. Consider the following example. A soldier has their stomach blown open by a
shell burst. They are in great pain and screaming in agony. They beg the army doctor to
save their life. The doctor knows that they will die in 10 minutes whatever happens. As
he has no painkilling drugs with him the doctor decided to spare the soldier’s further
pain and shoots them dead.
A person is seen at a 10th floor window of a burning building. Their clothes are
on fire and fire brigade has not yet arrived. The person is screaming for help. A
passerby nearby realizes that within seconds the person will suffer an agonizing death
from burns. He has a rifle with him and shoots the screaming person dead. [8]
Countries that legalize Euthanasia
3
I. Netherlands
Historically, the Netherlands was the first European country to decriminalize
euthanasia and assisted suicide by a law passed in 2001. The number of individuals
who have been euthanized has grown steadily every year, constituting a worrisome
cultural shift, which is especially troubling for the most vulnerable in society. Euthanasia
has been legal in the Netherlands for over 15 years, since the April 12, 2001 law was
passed, and came into vigor on April 1, 2002. Historically, the Netherlands was the first
European country to authorize euthanasia. Since legalization, euthanasia has more than
tripled.
Even though the precise conditions established by law have not changed
“strictosensu”, their very extensive interpretation has created increasingly disputable
situations. For example euthanasia on people with psychiatric disorders, dementia,
those who are very old, or those suffering from several pathologies, has nothing to do
with the initially established legal requirements. Other opinions are being voiced, notably
by some doctors who deplore that euthanasia has been trivialized.
While some denounce the infringements of the law, others wish to broaden the
conditions of access to euthanasia and the practices. Parliament is being pressured to
allow assisted suicide for people over age 70 requesting it, with no other motive but their
age and “being tired of life”. Thus, the association “By Free Will” (Uit vrije will) organized
a citizen’s initiative petition early in 2010, in order to force a Parliamentary debate. A
draft bill tabled by the government in October 2016 is currently being studied.[9]
4
II. Belgium
May 28, 2017 marked the 15th anniversary of the law legalizing euthanasia in
Belgium. According to the official data from their Federal Control Commission,
euthanasia was performed on 14,753 individuals between 2002 and 2016.
In 2002 Belgium decriminalized euthanasia for adults. By 2014, the law was extended to
minors without specifying an age limit. For the past 15 years, the number of euthanasia
cases has continued to sharply increase. Various modifications of the law have
extended and facilitated euthanasia.
Several multi-faceted instances of abuse in interpreting and applying the law
have been revealed by the available data. Numerous clandestine euthanasia cases
continue to be practiced; the criteria to be respected have been incrementally subjected
to broader interpretation (especially concerning the nature of “constant, unbearable
and unrelievable physical or mental suffering”); as well as: the controversial role of the
Federal Control Commission, the progression toward highly publicized assisted suicide
cases; organ procurement after euthanasia; plus the pressure to eliminate the
conscience clause, etc.
Especially in the Dutch-speaking regions, mentalities are rapidly evolving
towards trivializing euthanasia, in the name of human autonomy and “one’s freedom to
choose in favor of one’s own life or death”, via an Anglo-Saxon utilitarian perspective of
life. Euthanasia is progressively being considered as a right that one can claim for
oneself or loved ones, even if the prerequisite conditions are obviously not met.[10]
5
III. Spain
Spain has passed a law to legalise euthanasia, becoming the fourth country in
Europe to allow people to end their own life in some circumstances. Spain's lower house
of parliament approved the law with support from centre and left-wing parties on
Thursday.
Lawmakers from the Spanish parliament's lower house passed the law, with 202
votes in favour, 141 against and two abstentions.
Spain's minority coalition government, which is led by Mr Sanchez's Socialist Party, had
to seek the support of other parties to pass the bill. "Today is an important day: we are
heading towards the recognition of human rights. We are heading towards a more
humane and fair society," Health Minister Carolina Darias told lawmakers.
The law allows adults with "serious and incurable" diseases that cause
"unbearable suffering" to choose to end their lives. It is expected to take effect in June.
Before the law's passage, helping somebody to die in Spain was potentially punishable
by a jail term of up to 10 years. The Spanish law permits two voluntary means of
allowing a person to end their own life: euthanasia and assisted suicide. Euthanasia is
the act of intentionally ending a life to relieve suffering - for example a lethal injection
administered by a doctor. In cases of assisted suicide, the act is undertaken by the
person themselves with help "Today we have become a country that is more humane,
fairer and freer," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez tweeted just minutes after the
vote. "The euthanasia law, widely demanded by society, has finally become a reality.
"The passage of the law was celebrated by right-to-die campaigners. .[11]
6
IV. Relevance to Philippines
The Philippine Senate was considering a controversial bill that could make the
staunchly Catholic country the first in the world to legalize euthanasia. Euthanasia is
illegal in the Philippines. In 1997, the Philippine Senate considered passing a bill
legalizing passive euthanasia. The bill–part of a 16-point bill of patients' rights–has
already undergone its first reading, and the second reading will start after the Senate
session resumes in late July. It must pass three readings with a two thirds majority and
then be ratified by President Fidel Ramos before it can be incorporated into law. Senate
health committee secretary John Basa said: “It is proposing the legalisation of passive,
rather than active, euthanasia–but obviously it is still very contentious. It would make us
the first country in the world to legalize so called mercy killing.” He added: “If it becomes
law, this bill will make a big difference to doctors here. At the moment, if they help a
patient to die, they can be charged with malpractice and are liable to imprisonment.”
However, the bill's chances of success in its current form may be slim. Its biggest
stumbling block is the Catholic church, which has enormous power in the 85% Catholic
country.[12]
There are moral and ethical questions concerning euthanasia
7
I. Sacredness of human life
Most people think life is valuable. Christians however feel that life Is sacred.
Sacred means that they think it is a special, given and Holy thing. The reason they think
that its sacred it because the Bible Says how all life is a gift form God. God created us
all unique and he Decided everything that will happen to us, nothing was an accident,
Therefore life must be looked after and used how god [Link] is a responsibility
and we should treat any kind of it Respectfully otherwise we are destroying God’s
creation and so we must Value life highly, and also live it accordingly to God’s will.
People need to live their life until they die of a natural cause to Find what god has
planned for them. Christians try to model themselves to be like Jesus, to care for
Everyone and to try to be active in helping others improve their Quality of [Link]
Christians believe that god created human life and the rest of The world. Genesis 1:26-7
(creation) Then god said, ‘let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let Them
rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the air, over the Livestock, over all the earth
and over all creatures that move along The ground.’
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of
the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the
foundation of all the principles of our social teaching.
The supporters of euthanasia maintain that they believe in the basic sanctity and dignity
of life and argue that ending the suffering of terminally ill patients at their request is
actually a move which respects sanctity of life. On the other hand death with dignity, as
opposed to a life of pain and suffering, is more humane. [13]
8
II. Hippocratic Oath
The Hippocratic Oath (Ορκος) is perhaps the most widely known of Greek
medical texts. It requires a new physician to swear upon a number of healing gods that
he will uphold a number of professional ethical standards. It also strongly binds the
student to his teacher and the greater community of physicians with responsibilities
similar to that of a family member. In fact, the creation of the Oath may have marked the
early stages of medical training to those outside the first families of Hippocratic
medicine, the Asclepiads of Kos, by requiring strict loyalty.
Over the centuries, it has been rewritten often in order to suit the values of
different cultures influenced by Greek medicine. Contrary to popular belief, the
Hippocratic Oath is not required by most modern medical schools, although some have
adopted modern versions that suit many in the profession in the 21st century. It also
does not explicitly contain the phrase, "First, do no harm," which is commonly attributed
to it.[14]
First, do no harm. Medical students have been taking this vow since Hippocrates
came up with it in ancient Greece in the fifth century B.C. It is universally acknowledged
to be the foundation of Western medicine. But the Hippocratic oath isn’t as black or
white as it once seemed.
Nowadays, people are living longer than ever — with diseases that Hippocrates
could never have imagined — and in circumstances in which a doctor could end their
suffering. For more than a century, some American physicians have been arguing for a
patient’s right to choose death, and for doctors to be able to assist in the process.”
9
III. Way to relief
The advancement of the technology and euthanasia is a blessing to the
terminally ill, especially to those who are suffering from excruciating pain. With the
betterment of drugs and the increase of knowledge about pain mechanism, physicians
today can relatively easily and safely eliminate pain physicians in the last century found
most recalcitrant. It has even been argued that with the perfection of pain control,
euthanasia should be made history. Indeed, it would seem that to eliminate the
excruciating pain often had by the terminally ill, the patients need not go to such
extremes of ending one’s life well before natural death takes its toll. With the elimination
of pain, the quality of the patient’s life can be significantly improved. This would certainly
undermine, some believe, one of the greatest motivations for euthanasia.
Advocates of active euthanasia argue that killing the patients in question is not
worse than letting them die. Advocates of voluntary euthanasia often claim that patients
should have the right to do what they want with their own lives. Advocates of mercy
killing argue that for patients who are in vegetative states with no prospect of recovery,
letting them die prevents future needless and futile treatment efforts. If they are
suffering then killing them prevents further suffering
Many terminally ill patients who are in the final stages of their lives have
requested doctors to aid them in exercising active euthanasia. It is sad to realize that
these people are in great agony and that to them the only hope of bringing that agony to
a halt is through assisted suicide.
Factors positively associated with requesting euthanasia
10
[Link] suffering of patient
Unbearable suffering is considered an important motive for patients requesting
euthanasia, the presence of unbearable suffering, as assessed by a physician, is a
central criterion for EAS in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Further
compulsory criteria to legally allow EAS include a voluntary and well considered request
for EAS, prospect-less suffering, absence of reasonable treatment options and
consultation with an independent physician.
Many patients experience pain and suffering when they are dying, that is true,
and during a doctors clinical experience they have seen many dying patients who at
their end stage illness were in pain, and they may be treated without dignity, or
experiencing spiritual disorders.
A person has the right to live and it is much seen morally right to give a person
the right to die with dignity rather than continue a life of pain and suffering. I believe that
a tremendous ill patient has the moral right to decide whether they should continue to fit
or not. There’s some illness a person cannot handle even with the best pain reliever, or
when the person lost all the tolerance and control of his or her body.
11
II. Financial Stability
Ethnological studies show that the care which societies are able to provide for
their old people depends largely on available resources. However, the concept of
resource depends on contemporary requirements and expectations. Modern families
still try to look after their old people, but increasing longevity is making this more
difficult. There is a finite ability of populations, however wealthy, to support dependent
members. Resources provided to look after old people must necessarily be subtracted
from those available for the other, still more important dependent group, the children,
with potentially disastrous results in underfunding of social support and education. The
sociobiological theory of inclusive fitness emphasizes the importance of the ways in
which family members interact to help each other and try to ensure their genetic
survival, even if this involves sacrificing their own interests and occasionally, their lives.
Many old people do not wish for further longevity after they have become too disabled
to be of service to their families, and would prefer to see limited resources being used
for the young.[15]
12
III. Psychiatric Disorder or Dementia
Euthanasia for people who are not terminally ill, such as those suffering from
psychiatric disorders or dementia, is legal in Belgium under strict conditions but remains
a controversial practice. As yet, the prevalence of euthanasia for people with psychiatric
disorders or dementia has not been studied and little is known about the characteristics
of the practice. This study aims to report on the trends in prevalence and number of
euthanasia cases with a psychiatric disorder or dementia diagnosis in Belgium and
demographic, clinical and decision-making characteristics of these cases. While
euthanasia on the grounds of unbearable suffering caused by a psychiatric disorder or
dementia remains a comparatively limited practice in Belgium, its prevalence has risen
since 2008. If, as this study suggests, people with psychiatric conditions or dementia are
increasingly seeking access to euthanasia, we are fighting our own battles in life, we
seek comfort in the form of Euthanasia. [16]
13
Conclusion
We have introduced some ethical issue of euthanasia and address them in the
favor of Euthanasia as an ethical method of saving lives. Dying is at once a fact of life,
Death comes to all, in all aspects and circumstances. Euthanasia gives the member of
society a freedom to live life and end it in accordance to their favor.
Meditating on your mortality is only depressing if you miss the point. It is in fact a
tool to create priority and meaning. It’s a tool that generations have used to create real
perspective and urgency. To treat our time as a gift and not waste it on the trivial and
vain. Death doesn’t make life pointless but rather purposeful. And fortunately, we don’t
have to nearly die to tap into this. A simple reminder can bring us closer to living the life
we want. It doesn’t matter who you are or how many things you have left to be done, a
car can hit you in an intersection and drive your teeth back into your skull. That’s it. It
could all be over. Today, tomorrow, someday soon.
The ancient practice of reflection on our mortality that goes back to Socrates,
who said that the proper practice of philosophy is “about nothing else but dying and
being dead.” Memento mori” doesn’t just mean “Remember you will die, it also means
Remember how you will die because the conditions of your own death are just as
important as the conditions of your life. This is also why the Greek word euthanasia
refers to “eu”(Good) and “Thanatos”( Death) so the sacredness of life is not just
treasuring the good life but also giving a good death.
14
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[1] Castan Centre for Human Rights, Euthanasia, Have you got that right?
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[2] Kumar, V. (2015, March 24). Euthanasia: In the context of Jurisprudence.
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[6] What Is the Difference between Non-Voluntary and Involuntary Euthanasia?,
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1997)
[13] Limo, S. (2018, February 12). The sanctity of life. The Sanctity of Life - 1599 Words
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[15] MR;, B. (n.d.). Resources, the family and voluntary euthanasia. The British journal
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[16] Dierickx, S., Deliens, L., Cohen, J., & Chambaere, K. (2017). Euthanasia for people
with psychiatric disorders or dementia in Belgium: Analysis of officially reported
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