Euthanasia Medical / Generic definition Bioethical definition.

Euthanasia & physician assisted suicide (pas)

Euthanasia refers to the intentional act of ending the life of a person who is terminally ill or suffering from unbearable pain. The medical definition of euthanasia involves the administration of drugs to end a person’s life. However, the bioethical definition focuses on the moral implications of euthanasia, which considers it an act of intentional killing.

Pain and suffering are a part of the human experience, and many faith traditions acknowledge the existence of suffering as an essential aspect of life. Some faith traditions encourage the acceptance of pain and suffering as a means of purifying the soul, while others view it as an opportunity for spiritual growth and transformation.

Physician-assisted suicide or death (PAS/PAD) refers to a situation where a physician prescribes medication to a patient with a terminal illness to enable them to end their life at a time of their choosing. The ethical implications of PAS/PAD are a matter of debate among healthcare professionals, patients, and religious and political leaders.

The question of whether we should have the right to end our lives is a complex ethical issue that has been debated for many years. Some argue that individuals have the right to autonomy and should be able to make decisions about their own lives, including when and how to end their lives. Others believe that ending one’s life is contrary to the sanctity of life and violates the fundamental values of society.

Hospice and palliative care are alternatives to PAS/PAD that aim to relieve the suffering of patients with terminal illnesses. Hospice focuses on providing comfort and support to patients and their families in the final stages of life, while palliative care involves the management of pain and other symptoms to improve the quality of life for patients. Terminal sedation is a practice where a patient is sedated to relieve pain and suffering during the final stages of life.

The Hemlock Society, Jacob Kevorkian, and Brittany Maynard are all well-known cases related to PAS/PAD. The Hemlock Society was a right-to-die organization that advocated for the legalization of PAS/PAD, while Jacob Kevorkian was a physician who assisted in the deaths of numerous terminally ill patients. Brittany Maynard was a young woman with terminal brain cancer who moved to Oregon to access PAS/PAD, which is legal in that state.

ERD paragraphs #59, 60, and 61 address the Catholic Church’s stance on euthanasia and assisted suicide. Paragraph 59 states that euthanasia and PAS/PAD are “intrinsically evil” and are not permissible under any circumstances. Paragraph 60 clarifies that the use of pain medication and sedatives to alleviate pain in terminally ill patients is ethical, even if it may shorten the patient’s life. Paragraph 61 emphasizes the importance of palliative care and hospice in providing comfort and support to patients and their families during the end of life.

In conclusion, the ethical implications of euthanasia and PAS/PAD are complex and multifaceted, and there are no easy answers to these questions. Hospice and palliative care are viable alternatives to PAS/PAD that focus on alleviating the suffering of patients and their families, and the Catholic Church is opposed to euthanasia and PAS/PAD under all circumstances. Ultimately, the decision to end one’s life should be made with careful consideration of all of the available options, including spiritual, emotional, and physical support.