Topic: If euthanasia is legalized, what restrictions should be

applied and the ways of controlling of usage of euthanasia to

Course: PHI104
Section: 1
Semester: Fall 2022

Submitted To
Dr. Md. Abdul Muhit

Lecturer

Department of History and Philosophy

North South University

Submitted By
Shafkatur Rahman

ID: 1711282030
Table of Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3

Background ........................................................................................................... 3

Analysis ................................................................................................................. 4

Restrictions............................................................................................................ 4

Measures against misuse of euthanasia ................................................................ 5

Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 6

References ............................................................................................................. 8
Introduction

The deliberate taking of a life, usually to end suffering, is known as euthanasia. On occasion,

doctors will perform euthanasia at the request of terminally sick patients who are in

excruciating pain. It's a complex process that calls for striking a balance among numerous

factors. Local laws, a person's physical and mental health, opinions and interests, and more all

have an effect (Holland, 2018). There are several forms of euthanasia. What is selected relies

on several things, including one's attitude and degree of consciousness. Euthanasia is permitted

in seven nations throughout the world: Colombia, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Spain,

and the Netherlands (Linares & Telemundo, 2021).

Background

The only ethical, sensible, and compassionate option is to permit a terminally sick person to

terminate their life. Therefore, when there are reasons to believe that stopping life-sustaining

therapies is in the best interests of profoundly incompetent patients, it is occasionally

appropriate for doctors to do so (Doyal, 2000). Doctors ought to have the right to stop providing

life-sustaining care when they want to hasten death as well as reduce suffering, provided the

situation is clinically justified. In this particular situation, the distinction is meaningless

morally. Involuntary active euthanasia should be treated equally to the passive euthanasia of

individuals who are clinically determined to be profoundly incompetent (Doyal & Doyal,

2001). Below, I will analyze if euthanasia is legalized, what restrictions should be applied and

the ways to control of usage of euthanasia so it is not misused.

Closer examination is required, especially by governments considering the legalization of

euthanasia, to determine the extent to which these limits and safeguards have been successful

in containing the practices and preventing misuse. Safeguards, requirements, and processes

were established in all countries where euthanasia is legal to regulate the practices, guarantee

social monitoring, and stop euthanasia from being exploited or abused. Some common

measures for safeguarding recommended by the British Medical Association are:

 The patient must have an incurable illness.

 An adult patient is required.

 Mental competency is required of the patient.

 It must be really painful for the patient.

 The presence of the aforementioned conditions must be confirmed by two different

physicians.

Restrictions

The desire for euthanasia must be voluntary, thoughtful, well-reasoned, knowledgeable, and

persistent over time in all jurisdictions. The individual making the request must give clear,

written approval and be of legal age while making it. If abuse and exploitation are to be

prevented, the legal necessity of a specific written agreement is crucial. Since there are many

interventions in medical research that have significantly lower mortality risks than those being

considered, written consent has become crucial. Recent history is rife with instances of medical

research being abused without express informed agreement. Reporting is mandatory in all

jurisdictions. Only doctors should be allowed to carry out euthanasia. Because all states, except

for Switzerland, mandate that the acts be done solely by physicians, the involvement of nurses
is concerning. The fact that the nurse was male and employed by a hospital as well as the

patient's advanced age were factors that were strongly connected with the nurse giving the

patient the medications that would terminate his life (Pereira, 2011).

Measures against misuse of euthanasia

Psychiatrists may be consulted if someone requests euthanasia to evaluate their mental

capacity, state of mind, and suitability for PAS. There are many other reasons why PAS and/or

euthanasia should not be legalized. The editorial sections of major medical magazines

frequently stress how the medical profession is motivated by a desire to heal and extend life.

The fundamental tenet of the medical profession is violated by the potential for a doctor to

directly hasten the death of a patient, one who the doctor has likely been treating in an effort to

lengthen and improve life. Professional training in psychiatry and psychology supports the idea

that, from the perspective of mental health, suicide should be prevented at all costs. Suicidal

thoughts in terminally sick individuals may be an indication of an undetected and untreated

mental illness, according to several types of research that have identified a connection between

the mental problem and this behaviour. So, permission from a psychiatrist is needed before the

permission of given for euthanasia (Jayakumar, 2021).

If a healthy young person with a history of psychiatric illness should be consulted by a

psychiatrist and denied permission for euthanasia it will be a gross misuse of euthanasia.

Professional training in psychiatry and psychology supports the idea that, from the perspective

of mental health, suicide should be prevented at all costs. Suicidal thoughts in terminally sick

individuals may be an indication of an undetected and untreated mental illness, according to

several types of research that have identified a connection between the mental problem and this

behaviour.
Many end-of-life patients are viewed as a financial burden and burden on their families and

society. In certain situations, the terminal patient could feel pressured to ask for assisted suicide

as a form of sacrifice to save their caregivers any inconvenience. A Dutch physician named

Frank Koerselman said in an interview about an 85-year-old patient whose family refused to

allow the physicians to treat him. While the doctor was prepared to end the patient's life, he

asked to speak with the patient alone beforehand. In order for him to speak alone with the

patient, security personnel had to remove the family from the room. The patient then decided

to receive therapy. He was physically and psychologically in excellent health when he was

released from the hospital. There is a chance that the right to die might be mistaken for a

responsibility to die due to the power of suggestion wielded by one's family and friends. Thus,

pleas for assisted suicide would be the product of pressure rather than an expression of freedom

(Lozano, n.d.). Consultation should be provided for the elderly person also before making any

choice for euthanasia.

Conclusion

Euthanasia that is both motivated by free will and voluntary should be ensured. Its acceptance

will make a variety of involuntary euthanasia practices possible. Legislation that is strong

enough to keep vulnerable individuals from dying involuntarily or committing "suicide" under

duress cannot be enforced because there are too many conflicts involving them. Euthanasia or

assisted suicide are not acceptable methods of passing away with dignity since everyone has

the right to die with respect, regardless of their health, age, or abilities. Killing is never done

humanely. Until the time comes when they may pass away peacefully, it is compassionate to

provide for those who are in need. The only alternative that is humane is to let individuals who

are suffering chose to end their agony. The laws' disparities between how they are applied and
how they are now written have led to misunderstanding as well. This uncertainty affects the

doctors, the patients they treat, and the patients' loved ones.
 References

Doyal, L. (2000). The case for physician-assisted suicide and active euthanasia in

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. London: Martin Dunitz,

423–439.

Doyal, L., & Doyal, L. (2001). Why active euthanasia and physician assisted suicide should

be legalised. BMJ, 323(7321), 1079–1080. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7321.1079

Holland, K. (2018, May 29). What Is Euthanasia? Types, Legal Status, Facts, Controversy,

and. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-euthanasia

Jayakumar, A. (2021, July 25). Legalization of assisted suicide: Precautions that should be

taken to avoid abuse and mistakes. IPleaders. https://blog.ipleaders.in/legalization-

assisted-suicide-precautions-taken-avoid-abuse-mistakes/

Linares, A., & Telemundo, N. (2021, October 21). These people want to die. Will their

countries allow euthanasia? NBC News.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/people-want-die-will-countries-allow-

euthanasia-rcna3307

Lozano, I. L. (n.d.). Protection of the vulnerable by health care institutions. WYA. Retrieved

December 10, 2022, from https://www.wya.net/op-ed/protection-of-the-vulnerable-

by-health-care-institutions/

Pereira, J. (2011). Legalizing Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide: The Illusion of Safeguards and

Controls. Current Oncology, 18(2), 38–45. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.v18i2.883