Bioethics I: Euthanasia Presented by Rebecca Austen Director of Advocacy World Youth Alliance

What is Euthanasia? Definition Definition “also called mercy killing; the deliberate causing of the death of a person who is suffering from an incurable disease or condition. It may be active, such as by administration of a lethal drug, or passive, such as by withholding of treatment. Legal authorities, church leaders, philosophers, and commentators on ethics and morality usually distinguish passive euthanasia from active euthanasia.” (Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, 8th Edition, 2009) “also called mercy killing; the deliberate causing of the death of a person who is suffering from an incurable disease or condition. It may be active, such as by administration of a lethal drug, or passive, such as by withholding of treatment. Legal authorities, church leaders, philosophers, and commentators on ethics and morality usually distinguish passive euthanasia from active euthanasia.” (Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, 8th Edition, 2009)

History of Medicine Medicine today is largely built upon the Hippocrates tradition (the physician’s commitment to his patient). Medicine today is largely built upon the Hippocrates tradition (the physician’s commitment to his patient). Doctor knows best – his system of values must be accepted by the patient Doctor knows best – his system of values must be accepted by the patient

The Hippocratic Oath “I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but I will never use it to injure or wrong them.” “I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but I will never use it to injure or wrong them.” “I will not give poison to anyone though asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a plan.” “I will not give poison to anyone though asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a plan.” “Similarly I will not give a pessary to a woman to cause abortion.” “Similarly I will not give a pessary to a woman to cause abortion.”

History of Assisted Suicide The Anglo-American legal tradition has expressly punished or disapproved of suicide and assisted suicide for 700 years (Washington v. Glucksburg, 521 U.S. 702, 711 (1997)). The Anglo-American legal tradition has expressly punished or disapproved of suicide and assisted suicide for 700 years (Washington v. Glucksburg, 521 U.S. 702, 711 (1997)). Oregon and Washington now authorize physician-assisted suicide Oregon and Washington now authorize physician-assisted suicide California requires physicians to give information to patients on how to end their lives. California requires physicians to give information to patients on how to end their lives. Montana’s ban on assisted suicide is in the courts currently Montana’s ban on assisted suicide is in the courts currently Legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Albania Legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Albania

The “Right to Die”: Physician-Assisted Suicide Does the “right to die” lead to the “duty to die” Does the “right to die” lead to the “duty to die” Example of the Netherlands, Belgium Example of the Netherlands, Belgium Hippocratic medical tradition Hippocratic medical tradition Do no harm principle Do no harm principle When medicine ceases to be Hippocratic, it loses something essential When medicine ceases to be Hippocratic, it loses something essential Medicine is more than clinical expertise Medicine is more than clinical expertise Relief of suffering Relief of suffering

Nutrition/Hydration Problem of nutrition/hydration (Schiavo) Problem of nutrition/hydration (Schiavo) Difference between ordinary and extraordinary care Difference between ordinary and extraordinary care Providing food is ordinary care Providing food is ordinary care Forcing the body to breathe and accept oxygen for a sustained period of time is extraordinary care Forcing the body to breathe and accept oxygen for a sustained period of time is extraordinary care Analogy of feeding an infant Analogy of feeding an infant Causing someone to die vs. letting someone die of the underlying disease Causing someone to die vs. letting someone die of the underlying disease

WYA’s Approach Human dignity is intrinsic to the person, and therefore value exists outside of any individual condition. Suicide is a violation of this dignity, even though it is consensual death. Human dignity is intrinsic to the person, and therefore value exists outside of any individual condition. Suicide is a violation of this dignity, even though it is consensual death.

WYA’s Approach cont’d Euthanasia evidences a cultural attitude that does not value the human person and wishes to sacrifice the good of persons for an economic or social end. Euthanasia evidences a cultural attitude that does not value the human person and wishes to sacrifice the good of persons for an economic or social end. Human beings are Human beings are viewed as burdens viewed as burdens on society. on society.

WYA’s Approach cont’d Euthanasia is an antithesis to solidarity among persons. Euthanasia is an antithesis to solidarity among persons. Can we really gage the value of one life based on quality of suffering? Can we judge the suffering of another person? Can we really gage the value of one life based on quality of suffering? Can we judge the suffering of another person? Blind person example Blind person example People see the value of their own life as incalculable People see the value of their own life as incalculable

WYA’s Approach cont’d Intergenerational solidarity – catch phrase of the EU Intergenerational solidarity – catch phrase of the EU Fostering relationships between generations to promote the dignity of the human person Fostering relationships between generations to promote the dignity of the human person Terminally-ill patients need proper palliative care Terminally-ill patients need proper palliative care Luxembourg case – Grand Duke Luxembourg case – Grand Duke WYA’s intervention in support of the Grand Duke’s veto of euthanasia legislation WYA’s intervention in support of the Grand Duke’s veto of euthanasia legislation

Interactive (Role Play) Family with an older relative who is suffering and dying. The doctor will try to convince the family to euthanize or allow him/her to assist in suicide. Some relatives are for and some are against. Have different actors and actresses play various roles or jump in with different arguments. Family with an older relative who is suffering and dying. The doctor will try to convince the family to euthanize or allow him/her to assist in suicide. Some relatives are for and some are against. Have different actors and actresses play various roles or jump in with different arguments.