Euthanasia

enlarge image

Euthanasia and Assisted Dying is a topical subject in the UK at the moment and the debate continues.

'Euthanasia is the deliberate killing of a person for the benefit of that person.

In most cases euthanasia is carried out because the person who dies asks for it, but there are cases called euthanasia where a person can't make such a request.'

Passive euthanasia is when treatment to which the patient has not consented is ended. A landmark ruling came in the 1993 Bland case.

Anthony Bland was a 17-year-old left severely brain damaged after the 1989 Hillsborough, Sheffield Football Stadium disaster.

His parents and the hospital authority concerned sought permission from the High Court to withdraw the artificial nutrition and hydration that was keeping him alive. The High Court and the House of Lords agreed.

Many disagree with the 'Bland' ruling which just show's how difficult this kind of decision can be for relatives and Doctor's!

Some Doctor's think this definition, particularly the consent element and it has been said that there is also a voluntary/involuntary euthanasia distinction. They would say that the active/passive distinction is between actively causing the death (eg. by drugs) and passively stopping (or not starting) treatment - generically witholding treatment, while voluntary/involuntary means what it says - the patient either volunteers or they don't (which is of course related to consent).

Bland was in a PVS (Persistant Vegetative State) and so wasn't in a position to consent (or refuse) and so to that extent he was an example of involuntary euthanasia (which was also, as it happens passive, but passive because treatment was witheld, not because he did not consent.

At the moment Euthanasia IS against the law - it is said to be murder or manslaughter! HOWEVER it has been said that the NHS has introduced (passive) euthanasia by stealth in using the Liverpool Care Pathway. Some Doctor's say - The thing about the LCP is that it is wide open to over-prescribing of opiates and some say that the LCP "really is a subterfuge for legalised euthanisia of the elderly on the NHS.”

This also needs to be contrasted with the doctrine of double effect - "as long as I give you morphine to relieve your symptoms, and not to hasten death, then the fact that is happens (the double effect) to hasten death does not make it euthanasia."

Read here George Pitcher, Daily Telegraph article about 'disposing of the elderly as quickly and efficiently as possible'.

There are so many rules and thoughts that common sense, kindness and care for fellow human beings has gone out of the window.

But Many experts in pain relief say that doctors too often do not know enough about caring for terminally-ill patients and the latest advances in pain control!

Indeed as late as October 2009 the 'Cancer Tsar' said that training of medical staff caring for the dying SHOULD BE mandatory. It's unbelievable that some medical staff 'caring' for the dying are NOT trained AND has anything been done to rectify the situation?

The LCP was an attempt to remedy the situation. Whether it has worked is another matter - it seems that getting it right is not that simple - either it is used excessively (Gosport War Memorial Hospital scandal for example) or not used when it should be (Tomsanguish).

If you are terminally ill or in pain and want to take matters into your own hands suicide is NOT against the law in the UK and so a terminally ill person or person in extreme pain can perform this act. BUT it would normally require a family member or friend to obtain the drugs necessary for the person to 'commit suicide' and then that family member or friend could be charged by the police for helping in the 'assisted death'.
They would fall foul of the Suicide Act - aiding and abetting a suicide.

Switzerland is now well known for it's Euthanasia/Assisted Dying Clinic 'Dignitas in Zurich.
Oregon, US has also backed assisted suicide.
Click here to read BBC news article about Oregon's new ruling
The Netherlands legalised assisted dying in 2002.
Click here to read about 'Assisted Suicide, Debate around the World!

The choice is yours if you have the strength and the means!

Dignitas - Click on here for Website

Dignity in Dying - Click on here for Website

Click here for Weblog of Derek Humphry, Founder of Hemlock Society

Click here to read an emotional account that defends people's right to euthanasia, BBC Broadcaster and Radio 4 host, John Humphrys says: It was right to let Dad die

Click here to read why John Humphrys, BBC Broadcaster and Radio 4 host, is calling for legal change after father's death!

Recommend to a friend