2. EUTHANASIA
Etymology:
eu = good or happy
thanatos = death
Meaning: An action or an omission which of
itself or by intention causes death, in order
that all suffering may in this way be
eliminated.
Main Distinctions:
• Active (positive or direct)
• Passive (negative or indirect)
3. Active = directly willed or some
means are used to terminate a person’s
life for merciful reasons. It is also
called “mercy killing”.
Maybe voluntary or nonvoluntary
• voluntary = requested by the patient
• nonvoluntary = when others choose
death for the patient
4. Passive = it is allowing a terminally ill
person to die.
Maybe voluntary or nonvoluntary
• voluntary = requested by the patient
• nonvoluntary = when others make the
decision for the patient
Ordinary and Extra ordinary means of
treatment
Ordinary means
• also called proportionate or obligatory means.
5. Proportionate means are those that in the
judgment of the patient offer a reasonable hope
of benefit and do not entail an excessive burden
or impose excessive expense on the family or the
community
6. Extra Ordinary means
• also called disproportionate or optional means.
• those that in the patient’s judgment do not offer
a reasonable hope of benefit or if ever there is
hope, the possibility of benefit is so little compared
to the excessive expense on the family or the
community.
7. Orthothanasia
Etymology: correct dying
It is the same as passive euthanasia. It is
allowing a person to die a dignified and natural
death.
Dysthanasia
Etymology: means faulty or imperfect death.
It is the medical process through which the
moment of death is postponed by all means
available. It may be considered as an undue
prolongation of death.
8. Arguments in favor of active
euthanasia (mercy killing)
• compassion for the suffering person
the intention is to end the “unbearable
suffering” of a dying person.
• quality-of-life argument
based on the assumption that there are people
who have the right to judge whether or not a
person is living a “quality” life or a person’s life
may be terminated or prolonged depending on
its “value”.
9. Church teaching on the morality of
Euthanasia
Whatever its motives and means are,
active euthanasia is morally unacceptable.
Active voluntary euthanasia constitutes
suicide
Active non-voluntary euthanasia constitutes
murder
10. Discontinuing medical procedure that are
burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or
disproportionate to the expected outcome can
be legitimate, it is the refusal of “overzealous”
treatment. Here one does not will to cause
death; one’s inability to impede it is merely
accepted. The decisions should be made by the
patient if he/she is competent and able or, if
not, by those legally entitled to act for the
patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate
interests must always be respected (CCC
#2278)
11. Even if death is thought imminent, the
ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be
legitimately interrupted. The use of painkillers
to alleviate the sufferings of the dying, even at
the risk of shortening their days, can be
morally in conformity with human dignity if
death is not willed as either an end or a means,
but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable.
Palliative care is a special form of disinterested
charity. As such it should be encouraged.
(CCC #2279).
