Death, suicide and euthanasia (Law and ethics) Flashcards
What is the current law on suicide in the UK?
Suicide is legal
Under the Suicide Act “encouraging or assisting” suicide Is illegal
The DPP is responsible for the decision to prosecute on a case my case basis
Euthanasia is illegal
Define:
Active suicide
Passive suicide
Assisted active suicide
Assisteed passive suicide
Active suicide - the individual kills themselves
Passive suicide - the individual allows themselves to be killed
Assisted active suicide - You do something that helps the person kill themselves
Assisted passive suicide - Yo do not intervene to stop a person killing themselves
Define euthanasia
Intentionally ending a person’s life for their benefit
Define:
Active euthanasia
Passive euthanasia
Voluntary euthanasia
Involuntary euthanasia
Active euthanasia - You do something that kills the person
Passive euthanasia - The withholding/withdrawing of life sustaining treatment
Voluntary euthanasia - The person has capacity and wishes to die
Involuntary euthanasia - The person dies having not expressed the wish to die, or against their will (murder)
Define suicide
Death caused by injuring oneself with intent to die
Explain the legal standpoint if a patient dies as a result of the administration of pain relief in palliative care?
Doctor is legally protected if:
The intention was the relief of pain and suffering (Airdale v Bland)
Hastening of death was an unintended effect but these effects were considered
According the the Doctrine of Double Effect:
If something morally good has a morally bad side effect it is ethically right as long as the bad side effect was not intended
Describe the Doctrine of Double Effect
The nature of the act is not bad
At least one of the acts consequences are good
At least one of the acts consequences are bad
Sufficiently serious reasons for allowing the bad effect to occur
The bad consequence should not be a means to a good consequence
Foresees the bad consequences but intends the good consequence
According to DPP guidance which cases are more likely to be prosecuted in assisted suicide?
Individual under 18
Questions regarding capacity
No clear settled and informed wish to die
Ambiguous wishes
Process NOT initiated by the deceased
No terminal illness/severe and incurable disability/ severe degenerative disease with NO POSSIBILITY OF RECOVERY
Not motivated by compassion
Relationship with deceased not longstanding
Evidence of persuasion/coercion/undue influence or pressure
