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Forum: Special Conference (SPC)
Issue: The question of euthanasia and its usage
Student Officer: Divyanshi Gupta
Position: Deputy Chair
Introduction
“The right to life” some claim, “The right to death” others argue. Mankind is constantly evolving. Moving through time, our human race ventures towards constant development of technological, medical, and biological procedures and methods to ease the mundane life. The expediency is a double- edged sword, and although it ambitions to make human life simpler, the obstacle is the unavoidable dispute several methodologies necessitate. Euthanasia is a similar method, although facilitating evolutionary advancements, it is often criticized for its controversial nature. Euthanasia typically refers to a method procedure that intentionally ends the life of a patient for their benefit. It is a procedure where a patient dies without suffering, mostly induced by taking medication or injecting a substance. Several nations question the ethicality of the process of euthanasia, with very few nations legalizing the process with exceptions. Although, in a few nations the method can be deemed legal if a patient is in a vegetative state, in most nations it is illegal. Nations such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada, have legalized this procedure. The United Nations Human Rights Council has also remained silent on the topic of euthanasia due to its controversial nature, because even though the process limits the human right to life, it also provides humans with the right to die.
Definition of Key Terms
Euthanasia
Types of Euthanasia Type Definition
Voluntary Euthanasia Voluntary Euthanasia is when an individual’s life is terminated at their request to dismiss them from physical suffering. Non-voluntary Euthanasia Non- voluntary Euthanasia is when a patient’s life is intentionally terminated, however the explicit consent is unavailable. Examples include when an individual is in a vegetative state, or in the case of a young child. Involuntary Euthanasia Involuntary Euthanasia is when Euthanasia is performed against a patient’s will or consent. This occurs when a patient is not asked or does not want to die. Active Euthanasia Active Euthanasia refers to the death of a patient through the dispensation of lethal substances directly and with intent Passive Euthanasia Passive Euthanasia refers to the omission or with-drawl of life-sustaining or preserving treatment Indirect Euthanasia Indirect euthanasia refers to the prescription of medication that provides short- term relief, however can terminate the life of the patient in the long-term.
Assisted suicide
Assisted suicide is when a person deliberately helps or aids another person, who wants to die, to kill themselves.
Competence
A patient is competent when they understand their medical condition as well as the effects and risks of their medication, disease, and treatment. They must also be able to communicate their wishes
Dignity
Dignity refers to human beings merely existing, independent to the action of any other individual
DNR
The kid must be in a "medicinally futile condition", and in steady and unendurable enduring that can't be lightened. They should comprehend the importance of killing and will be surveyed by a specialist to guarantee "discernment" in their dynamic. At last, the children’s family and doctors must consent to the solicitation. In the event that there is any uncertainty, the choice to die isn't the children’s own, PCPs will consistently decide in favor of life. However, this law instantly eliminates patient’s in a state of unconsciousness, or children that do not possess mental maturity to make such decisions. For this very reason, English Law states that the age of criminal responsibility is at 10 years. It is almost cruel to ask children to decide of their own life and death. The main problem with child euthanasia arises here. Although it can be considered ethical to kill disabled infants since they are not conscious and sentient. However, these babies will grow up to be adults with disabilities and then they would have a varied perspective on the quality of their life compared to their parents and doctors. Studies have proven that disabled individuals perceive their life to be of a much higher quality than people without disabilities have for them.
Suicide tourism
Suicide tourism is associated with the pro-euthanasia movement. Euthanasia tourism arranges trips with likely suicide candidates to countries that legalize the process of euthanasia. Between 2008-2012, around 600 patients travelled to Switzerland, travelling from 31 different countries, to obtain help with taking their own life. However, this value doubled between 2009-2012, according to a study carried out by Zurich University. This however, raises a question of whether people are truly benefitting from euthanasia, and not just utilizing the convenience of the available options. Furthermore, in Switzerland there are not laws to efficiently regulate the conditions upon which someone can obtain assisted suicide.
Slippery slope
Several critics of euthanasia often support their argument with the slippery slope effect, which can lead to non-voluntary or involuntary death. The slippery slope effect discusses how the acceptance of physician-assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia, directs to the acceptance of much outrageous practices such as non-voluntary and involuntary euthanasia. However, several medical professionals argue that with the implementation of law and legal regulations, the legalization of euthanasia can be ethically monitored.
Animal Euthanasia
Animal shelters manage a total of 6 to 8 million animals per year, out of which 4 million are left abandoned. Animal shelters cannot humanely support all these animals, forcing them to live in small cages on a minimal food diet. However, the other option available leads them to roam the streets homeless, without food or shelter. With a high supply of animals and a low number of resources available to support them, sometimes the most human option is euthanasia. The Veterinary Medical Association of the world has also mentioned that an injection of sodium pentobarbital given by skilled medical professionals is the most sympathetic method of “putting down” an animal. However, the problem occurs when cruel and intolerable methods of killing animals are utilized. Some animals are killed using gunshots, and many times the animals survive the first shot, leading them to be shot repeatedly after. Furthermore, several animal shelter facilities even utilize gas chambers to kill animals causing animals to die with muscular spasms and seizures. Moreover, although absolutely horrifying, several shelters in the USA still use the process of electrocution.
Major Parties Involved
The United States of America
Oregon implemented the Death with Dignity act on October 27th^ 1997. This On October 27, 1997, Oregon implemented the Death with Dignity Act, which implied in critical condition patients could end their lives via passive euthanasia. All things considered, a doctor would need to endorse medicine for the ultimate objective to be accomplished. Over time other states such as Washington, Colorado, Vermont, California, and Hawaii legalized the process of passive euthanasia. However, the American Medical Association criticized this appealing, “allowing physicians to participate in assisted suicide would do more harm than good”.
Canada
Canada legalized euthanasia from June 2016. However, one of the prerequisites that is required for a person to acquire euthanasia is that agree needs to reliably be communicated, not suggested. In 2017, almost 2000 patients were conceded euthanasia, excluding the locales that didn't report the demonstration.
The Netherlands
Since 2001, active Euthanasia has been authorized in the Netherlands. Following 30 years of discussion they at last reached the resolution that there ought to be a law that incorporates lawfulness
Timeline of key events
Date Event Outcome
1828 The first law in New York against assisted suicide Many other American followed this example 1870 Samuel Williams practiced euthanasia using morphine The initial known civilian use of a drug for euthanasia stirred a lot of debate. 1915 A doctor (Dr. Haiselden) allows. Deformed baby to die instead of providing surgery Demonstrates the initial conditions and process of child euthanasia. 1935 The Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation Society was founded This allowed for public opinion on assisted suicide. 1937 The US senate introduced the voluntary Euthanasia act. Increased cases of euthanasia and regulated the process. 1940’s Involuntary Euthanasia was first utilized by the Nazi’s Hospitals and doctors were permitted. To make decisions to kill patients. This caused the involuntary death of over 70, patients. 1967 The first ever living will was written, which included life- sustaining interventions a person wants due to suffering with no hope of recovery. This led to the development of the conditions required to perform euthanasia on a patient. 2001 Euthanasia was legalized in Netherlands This led to an increase of euthanasia cases in Netherlands and further promoted the concept in other nations June 7, 2016 Canada legalizes Physician-Assisted suicide This led to an increase of euthanasia cases in Canada
and further promoted the concept in other nations June 12, 2019 Maine legalizes Physician Assisted suicide. 8th^ state in the USA. This led to an increase of euthanasia cases in USA and further promoted the concept in other nations
Possible Solutions
Alternatives to Euthanasia
Several methods to improve the quality of life for people suffering from terminal diseases can
be suggested. This includes medical advancements and a larger amount of money being
invested into the Research and Development sector of an economy/ country.
Limit Euthanasia
A strong legal system must be implemented to ensure the regulation for Euthanasia. This law
must outline in detail the conditions that allow a person to receive Euthanasia or assisted
suicide. Measures must be taken to ensure that a person asking for euthanasia satisfies these
conditions. Other factors such as minimum age, parental consent, and cure for disease must
also be considered.
Research for cures to diseases
Euthanasia is physician assisted suicide, and it occurs when a patient is in severe pain, and
would like to safely end their life. By finding cure to more diseases, patients can be treated
more appropriately, without hastily making further decisions and the rate of patients
consenting Euthanasia will decrease.
Implementation of resources and medical healthcare facilities
By providing patients with good palliative care, and trained professionals, patients can be
encouraged and treated with better medications and treatments, making Euthanasia
unnecessary.
- nhs.uk. 2020. Euthanasia and assisted suicide - NHS. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/euthanasiaandassistedsuicide/Pages/Introduction.aspx. [Accessed 15 September 2020].
- wiseGEEK. 2020. Which Countries Have Legalized Euthanasia? (with pictures). [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.wisegeek.com/which-countries-have-legalized-euthanasia.htm. [Accessed 15 September 2020].
- Ziegler, Stephen J, and Georg Bosshard. “Role of Non-Governmental Organisations in Physician Assisted Suicide.” BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) , BMJ Publishing Group Ltd., 10 Feb. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1796670/. [Accessed 20 May 2021].
