Euthanasia

“Life is a right, not an obligation” Ramón Sampedro

Eu (good) + Thanatos (death)

Euthanasia Patient Physician Voluntary Direct Involuntary Indirect Active Passive

Active Euthanasia Active euthanasia is defined as inducing the death of a person who is undergoing intense suffering, and who has no practical hope of recovery. It is often called “mercy killing” because it relieves the patient of their suffering and unbearable pain. Some people say that active euthanasia is morally better because it can be quicker and cleaner, and it may be less painful for the patient.

Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands Has to be performed by a physician; A voluntary and well considered request; The patient's suffering is unbearable, and there is no prospect of improvement Has to consult a second physician The death must be reported to the authorities as a case of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide

Pro Euthanasia Death is a private matter and we have no right to interfere; The patient has the right to die when and how he/she wants to. The patient wish has to be respected; The right to life is not a right simply to exist, is a right to life with a minimum quality and value; We have the right to die in dignity and without pain; Making people go on living when they don't want to violates their personal freedom; Principle of the individual autonomy; Economic factors

Against Euthanasia Weakens society's respect for the sanctity of life; Accepting euthanasia accepts that some lives are worth less than others; Might not be in a person's best interests; Proper palliative care makes euthanasia unnecessary; Is the first step towards a society that will kill people against their own wishes ; Cases that are untreatable today may be treatable tomorrow; Diagnostic errors; It is a “licence to kill”; Boundaries are difficult to define

Questions raised Ethical Moral Medical Economic Practical

To what degree would human life and the integrity of medicinal practice be compromised if Euthanasia was legalized? Is it ever right to end the life of a terminally ill patient who is undergoing severe pain and suffering? Under what circumstances can euthanasia be justifiable? Is there a moral difference between killing someone and letting them die? Is it ever right to kill an innocent human being? Should human beings have the right to decide on issues of life and death? What value has the decision of a patient who is psychologically weakened?

Portugal Article 133º Criminal Code - Privileged homicide “Whoever kills a person under an understandable violent emotion, compassion, despair or other socially or morally relevant motive that significantly diminishes the murderer's degree of guilt, shall be punished with imprisonment from 1 to 5 years.”

Article 134º Criminal Code - Homicide by request “Whoever kills a person, carried out by the serious, constant and explicit request of the victim shall be punished with imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years.”