Assisted death

Assisted death, also known as euthanasia or physician-assisted dying, refers to the practice where a physician provides a patient with the means to end their own life, often through a lethal dose of a drug. This procedure is highly controversial, subject to complex ethical debates and regulated differently across various jurisdictions.

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Introduction[edit | edit source]

Assisted death encompasses a range of medical procedures intended to end the life of a patient in order to relieve intractable suffering, typically in the context of terminal illness. The concept raises profound ethical and legal questions about the sanctity of life, patient autonomy, and the role of physicians.^[1]

Types of Assisted Death[edit | edit source]

There are two primary types of assisted death:
Euthanasia: This involves a physician actively administering medication to cause the patient's death. This can further be classified into voluntary (with patient's consent), non-voluntary (without patient's consent, typically because the patient is unable to provide it), and involuntary euthanasia (against the patient's wishes).
Physician-assisted suicide (PAS): The patient self-administers the lethal medication which has been prescribed by a physician.^[2]

Ethical Considerations[edit | edit source]

Key ethical considerations in assisted death revolve around the respect for autonomy (patients should be able to control the timing and manner of their death), beneficence and non-maleficence (physicians are obligated to relieve suffering and not cause harm), and the sanctity of life (life should be preserved and protected).^[3]

Legal Aspects[edit | edit source]

Legislation around assisted death varies greatly worldwide. In some countries, like the Netherlands, Belgium, and Colombia, both euthanasia and PAS are legal under specific circumstances. In others, such as the U.S., only certain states permit PAS. In many places, including most U.S. states and many countries, both practices remain illegal.^[4]

References[edit | edit source]

↑ Emanuel, E. J., Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D., Urwin, J. W., & Cohen, J. (2016). Attitudes and practices of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the United States, Canada, and Europe. JAMA, 316(1), 79-90.
↑ Quill, T. E., & Greenlaw, J. (2008). Physician-assisted death. In From Birth to Death and Bench to Clinic: The Hastings Center Bioethics Briefing Book, 137-142.
↑ Pellegrino, E. D. (2005). Decisions at the end of life: the use and abuse of the concept of futility. In Clinics in geriatric medicine, 21(1), 223-238.
↑ Steck, N., Egger, M., Maessen, M., Reisch, T., & Zwahlen, M. (2013). Euthanasia and assisted suicide in selected European countries and US states: systematic literature review. Medical care, 51(10), 938-944.

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[1] Emanuel, E. J., Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D., Urwin, J. W., & Cohen, J. (2016). Attitudes and practices of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the United States, Canada, and Europe. JAMA, 316(1), 79-90.

[2] Quill, T. E., & Greenlaw, J. (2008). Physician-assisted death. In From Birth to Death and Bench to Clinic: The Hastings Center Bioethics Briefing Book, 137-142.

[3] Pellegrino, E. D. (2005). Decisions at the end of life: the use and abuse of the concept of futility. In Clinics in geriatric medicine, 21(1), 223-238.

[4] Steck, N., Egger, M., Maessen, M., Reisch, T., & Zwahlen, M. (2013). Euthanasia and assisted suicide in selected European countries and US states: systematic literature review. Medical care, 51(10), 938-944.

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