Euthanasia is the medical procedure through which the death of a person suffering from an incurable disease that is making them suffer is intentionally caused. Let’s see how it can be done.
The practice of euthanasia consists of causing, with medical resources, either by action or omission, the intentional death of a terminally ill patient in order to stop suffering and be able to rest. Now, keeping in mind the main definition, some variations can be shown that give rise to the different types of euthanasia, for example, we will assess the action carried out by the doctor, the will of the patient or the ultimate objective of the procedure.
As we have already advanced, it is a process that gives rise to different opinions, with arguments in favor and others against. Mainly the reason that supports this practice is to alleviate the suffering of the patient and give him the possibility to decide on his life. On the contrary, the arguments against are mostly linked to ethical and moral dilemmas, alluding that it does not stop assuming causing death or letting someone die.
In this article we present the definition of euthanasia, the different types that exist, as well as the countries that have legalized it and the main arguments against and in favor of it.
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What is euthanasia?
The World Health Organization defines euthanasia as the action of a doctor who deliberately causes the death of a patient . It is important to emphasize the intentionality, the realization in a conscious way and to clarify that it can consist of an action or an omission of the action, that is, if the person does not act, does not carry out the behavior necessary for the patient to continue living, also It is considered euthanasia.
The purpose of this behavior is to allow the terminally ill, incurable, to rest in peace and stop suffering. In this way, we differentiate it from malpractice or medical problems that inadvertently end the life of the patient. The subject expressly requests that this practice be applied to him and this is done under supervision and in a medical context.
Euthanasia is not only practiced in humans, but it is also possible to perform it on animals, assisted on this occasion by veterinarians and with the same purpose, that the sick animal stops suffering. It is necessary to differentiate it from assisted suicide since in this case the person who performs the action is the patient himself , even if using the knowledge provided by another subject.
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What kinds of euthanasia exist?
In this way, keeping in mind the definition we have given of euthenasia, there are different variables that allow us to classify it into different types. For example, we will assess the action performed by the doctor, the will of the patient and the purpose of the act.
1. Direct euthanasia
In direct euthanasia, the conduct performed by the doctor has the intention of causing the death of the patient . This type of euthanasia in turn is divided into two different classes. The active or positive one where the doctor executes an action to achieve the end, this may consist of administering a medication, a substance or performing an intervention, generating in any case the death of the patient.
On the other hand, the passive or negative consists in the omission of the medical action, then, the professional stops carrying out a practice, he stops treating the terminally ill patient with the aim of causing his death. This type of euthanasia is also known as adysthanasia, which consists of not administering a treatment that keeps the subject alive.
2. Indirect euthanasia
Indirect euthanasia has as its main purpose to reduce the suffering of the terminally ill , but as a consequence of the action it ends up producing or accelerating the death process. This type is observed in the administration of analgesics that is carried out in palliative treatments that aim to reduce the pain felt by the patient, but that, as adverse effects, cause the life of the terminal subject to be shortened, resulting in one more death. early.
3. Voluntary Euthanasia
It is not difficult to deduce that in this case the patient is the one who directly expresses the wish to be euthanized . It can occur at the precise moment, we mean that the patient communicates at that moment that he wants it that way or it will also be considered this type if the patient left in writing that he wanted to be euthanized, although at the present time given his capacities not I can express it.
4. Involuntary euthanasia
In the process of involuntary euthanasia, it is another person, usually a close relative of the patient, who makes the decision to start the process, since the patient is not trained to do so and did not leave any writing where he expressed his intention.
5. Eugenic euthanasia
Eugenic euthanasia is carried out with despicable purposes to improve the state of society or the human race, wanting to “perfect” the species . In this case, the main reason for provoking the death of the terminally ill patient is to benefit someone or something external. Needless to say what ideas this leads us to.
6. Pious Euthanasia
This type of euthanasia is the one that complies with the definition of the term itself, since the main purpose of causing death is that the terminally ill patient stops suffering or feels no more pain.
The Euthanasia Controversy
Euthanasia is a practice that has given rise to much controversy. Currently it is only legal in 7 countries of the world , each one presenting its own norms and modes or situations in which they allow euthanasia to be carried out. For example, differences are shown in terms of the age allowed, the type of disease or affectation, the explicit will of the patient, the action of the doctor or the number of doctors who must give consent. We will also see that in the same country, especially in large countries, not all regions have legalized this practice.
These countries where euthanasia has been decriminalized are: Holland, which was the first to legalize it in 2002, in this case the disease must be terminal and painful and two doctors must consent; In Belgium, in this case, euthanasia can be applied at any age with the consent of the parents, and it can also be carried out in incurable pathologies that generate great psychic suffering.
Other countries with legal euthanasia are Luxembourg; Columbia; Canada; New Zealand, where it is necessary for the patient to request it directly, he is of legal age, his life expectancy does not exceed 6 months and the disease causes him a lot of pain; and Spain, which can be practiced in adults with incurable conditions or illnesses that cause intense mental or physical suffering , requiring the patient to request it at least 4 times on different occasions.
Mention that in the United States, Japan and Australia euthanasia is allowed only in some regions. Other countries such as Germany and Switzerland, it is only legal to apply assisted suicide, which, as we have already said, is carried out by the patient himself.
Arguments given against and in favor of euthanasia
One of the main arguments or the one that has more weight in the defense of euthanasia is the possibility of letting the patient rest , that he does not suffer more and does not feel more pain. The role of doctors is to cure patients so that they live as well as possible, but in circumstances where the disease is incurable and there is no way to relieve pain without affecting the life of the terminally ill, keeping him alive may not be the best thing to do. better for him.
On the other hand, by allowing euthanasia we are also giving the subject the possibility to say for himself and the freedom to choose what he wants to do with his life and if he wants to end the suffering. The patient is the one who suffers and feels the pain and who should be able to make the final decision to continue enduring or not.
In reference to the arguments against euthanasia, these are mainly linked to ethical and moral dilemmas . As we have pointed out before, the main function of doctors is to cure, therefore, letting or causing one of their patients to die goes against what they have learned or what they have been trained for.
Likewise, even though the purpose is to benefit the patient by freeing himself from suffering, it does not cease to mean causing the death of someone or letting him die, thus generating a bad feeling in the doctor or in the loved ones of the terminally ill. Despite knowing that it is the will of the subject, it is not easy to support and consent to this decision. There is always the hope that one of the strategies used will help, even though it is objectively known that the disease is terminal.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.