Weveenteredanewagewiththeabilityto.ppt

Euthanasia Medical and Philosophical Perspectives Nov 2006 Component 1: Agent and subject? Agent of death ≠ subject of death ? euthanasia Agent of death subject of death ? suicide Component 2: Intention of the agent? To bring about the quick and painless death of the subject ? euthanasia To relieve the subject’s pain merely though death is foreseen ≠ euthanasia e.g., administration of morphine, tranquilizer Component 3: Motive of the agent? Benevolent – concern for the subject’s best interest ? euthanasia Malevolent – concern for the agent’s own interests ? murder Component 4: Causal proximity? The agent’s act causes the subject’s death ? euthanasia The agent provides environmental factors, but the subject’s death is caused by his or her own action ? assisted suicide The agent’s act allows an imminent death arrive unhindered ? let die e.g., forgoing futile life-sustaining treatment Doctor Assisted Suicide Oregon, USA Northern Territory, Australia, July 1, 1996 – March 24, 1997 Dr. Philip Nitschke Component 5: Outcome? The subject indeed dies Otherwise, this is only an euthanasia attempt NB: final phase of a terminal illness It is not a component in this notional analysis of euthanasia It can be used as a criterion of admitting patients to this procedure Active euthanasia Terminating life via action Causing death by commission Dying and death occur as a causal consequence of an action E.g., lethal injection Passive euthanasia Terminating life via inaction Causing death by omission Dying and death occur as a causal consequence of an inaction E.g., starving a Downs Syndrome baby who is dependent on you for feeding E.g, Taiwan: wife of a medical doctor NB: the motives are not necessarily benevolent Voluntary euthanasia Non-voluntary euthanasia Involuntary euthanasia Forgoing futile life-sustaining treatments ≠ Passive Euthanasia Cardiopulmonary resuscitation Surgery Dialysis Ventilator Antibiotics I.C.U. admission Artificial nutrition and hydration Not