end of life ethics

Question 1

what is the definition of active euthanasia?

Answer 1

X performs an action which ITSELF results in Y’s death

Question 2

what is the definition of passive euthanasia?

Answer 2

X allows Y to die by withholding life prolonging treatment or withdrawing life prolonging treatment

Question 3

what is the definition of voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 3

euthanasia when Y competently requests death himself

Question 4

what is the definition of involuntary euthanasia?

Answer 4

death is against Y’s competent wishes although X permits or imposes death fro Y’s benefit

Question 5

what is the definition of non-voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 5

euthanasia when Y is not competent to express a preference

Question 6

what is the argument of CONSISTENCY for allowing active euthanasia?

Answer 6

suicide is legal for those who are ABLE

suicide should be legal for those who are disabled too?

Question 7

what is the argument for active euthanasia in terms of passive to active?

Answer 7

passive euthanasia is legal, active euthanasia would be quicker and maybe less painful

Question 8

what is the argument for active euthanasia from painkillers to lethal injections?

Answer 8

Doctrine of double effect is allowed so why is lethal injections so different?

Question 9

what are the two ethical principles which could be argued for allowing active euthanasia?

Answer 9

autonomy: surely patients have the freedom of choice of treatment for themselves
beneficence: doctors have to act for the BENEFIT of there patients

Question 10

what is the last argument given for allowing ACTIVE euthanasia?

Answer 10

benefits of regulation - policing occurs, doctors not left vulnerable

Question 11

what are 5 arguments against allowing active euthanasia?

Answer 11

• respect for preserving all forms of human life
• palliative care removes patients reasons for wanting euthanasia
• exploitation/manipulation (people could exploit the weak)
• contrary to aims of medicine (doctor/patient relationship) (when a cure is not attainable it is the duty of the doctor to provide care)
• slippery slope (how easy is it to go from voluntary to involuntary)

Question 12

what are the four terms allowing euthanasia in the netherlands?

Answer 12

• patient is INCURABLY ill
• patient is experiencing unbearable suffering
• patient has REQUESTED his life to be terminated
• terminaation is performed by the patients OWN DOCTOR

Question 13

what are the terms which allow assisted suicide to be LEGAL in switzerland?

Answer 13

ONLY if the motive is unselfish (if the motives are selfish then it is ILLEGAL)

Question 14

what are the two organisations in switzerland which help people to die?

Answer 14

EXIT

dignitas

Question 15

what is the difference between euthanasia in switzerlan and the netherlands?

Answer 15

in the netherlands euthanasia has to be performed by the patients own doctor
in switzerland assisted suicide does not have to be performed by a physician

Question 16

is euthanasia legal or illegal across the US no matter of state laws?

Answer 16

ILLEAGAL

Question 17

what type of assisted suicde is legal in oregon?

Answer 17

physician assisted (note: it is not PERFORMED by the physician just ASSISTED)

Question 18

what type of organ donation system does the UK currently operate?

Answer 18

an opt-in system

Question 19

what re 6 reasons that potential donors do not become actual donors?

Answer 19

• tests for brainstem death not carried out
• refusal by relatives
• medical contraindication to donation
• relatives not asked about donation
• heart stopped beating before brainstem death
• organs offered but nor retrieved

Question 20

what is the organ donation system in wales?

Answer 20

opt-in system - if you do nothing it is assumed you have no objection to donating your organs ‘deemed consent’

Question 21

what is the Hospice movement (1967, Dame Cicely Saunders) based on?

Answer 21

‘a concept where there is a shift of emphasis from conventional care that focuses on QUANTITY of life to QUALITY of life’

Question 22

the focus of care in the hospice (palliative care) is based on a HOLISTIC view of the person, in terms of what 5 main concerns?

Answer 22

physical
emotional
psychological
spiritual
social

Question 23

what is there a focus on in palliative care?

Answer 23

PAIN management

Question 24

how does the doctrine of double effect?

Answer 24

if you can forsee the possibility of death but do not INTEND it - you only act for the nenfit of the pateint

Question 25

how does the doctrine of double effect apply to giving pain killers in assisted suicde?

Answer 25

you can increase the dose of painkiller to alleviate pain, while foreseeing the possibility of this causing death but CANNOT give a drug with the intention to kill another person