Case study on Euthanasia use in Voluntary Assisted Dying.edited
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Case study on Euthanasia use in Voluntary Assisted Dying
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Page 1
Case study on Euthanasia use in Voluntary Assisted Dying
Introduction
The case study of interest involving a life partner of 40 years suffering from a terminal
illness and wishes to die. The partner's willingness to end their life is shown in the various times
that they have overdosed. Therefore, Divine Command Theory which states that an action can
either be right or wrong if commanded by God or not. The Utilitarian Theory, which looks at
whether an act is right or wrong depending on the aftermath of either doing or not doing it, can
be applied. Therefore, this paper tries to explain the dilemmas in assisting a partner's death and
using the two theories.
Dilemmas
29 June 2019, saw the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act of 2017 (White & Willmott 2018). It
would permit the health professionals to provide ‘mercy killing’ to the patients who request such.
Consenting to the administration of Euthanasia to slowly kill your partner has the dilemma of
how long a person should live in suffering, even when they do not want to. Arguments are that a
person's life is under subject to their decisions on when, when, and how long to live. It is not
proper for someone to force a patient to live longer in suffering. However, other issues that may
arise are whether the patient's overdose was meant to take their life away or are just mere
accidents. According to the laws, the decision to take away a patient's life depends on their
autonomy and self-determination (MacLeod et al. 2012). Independence allows patients to settle
on the right course of action regarding their lives, provided others do not get harmed along the
way (Morgan n.d). Autonomy can also be looked at from the opposing side as most terminally ill
patients may not be of sound mental status, thus violating this principle. Gilson notes that self-
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determination allows persons to make the right choices in their lives, including having a
dignified death (2013). In this case, the question is how the patient's consent can be acquired to
be sure of their desire to die.
Theories
In the Divine Command Theory, death is against the commandments of God upon people.
Engaging in voluntary assisted drying may mean that the physicians and relatives who consent to
the act violate the commandments. It is noted that killing was only a preserve of armies during
wars or the prosecution of offenders. According to Miller (2009), the sanctity of life is a major
them held by most religions globally; that view it as a gift from God which no one else has the
power to take. According to the Divine Command Theory, it would be against this belief for a
physician to take their patients' lives. With the Utilitarian theory, the focus is on the
consequences that come after the death of the patient due to assisted suicide. Jordan (2017)
identifies that suffering and happiness, pleasure, and pain are consequences of acts using the
Utilitarian theory. Inducing death from the patients' wishes may be a better consequence as they
move away from the physical, mental, and emotional problems contributing to the illnesses. The
theory can confirm that after suffering for so long, terminally ill patients may not get better
consequences than dying. Therefore, it supports the induction of Euthanasia to end the life of the
patients as death may be a better consequence than living many other years in pain. Within this
theory, the patient's family also gets considered relieved of the enormous amounts they could
spend on their treatment. The consequence of the death of the family may be a reduced burden in
terms of finances and family responsibilities. Assisted suicide can only take place in the
Utilitarian view if the patient's risks are getting more ill or a bleak future than the chances of
getting a bright one.
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Strengths of using the theories
Using the Divine Command Theory can ensure a reduction in the number of people who
are willing to take part in assisted suicide. According to God's commandments, one who upholds
the laws can get rewards while others do not face punishment. Many people would instead
follow the rules and get tips than disobey and get penalties. Applying utilitarian theory has
strengths in its ability to have individual judgments on actions (Singer 2003). A physician or
family would consent to the procedure, aware of the consequences they can face after the
patient's death. It ensures thorough considerations by the parties involved before the operation.
Weaknesses of the theories
The divine command theory has weaknesses since it cannot be used where several
cultures exist. With several cultures, people's notions about God or religion may be different.
Rahimi (2012) notes that different cultures influence ethics in various ways such that what is
morally right in one may not be in another. On the other hand, using utilitarian theory is always
challenging for patients with impaired capacities. Whether to get through with the exercise
depends on the patients, meaning those without the ability to make proper decisions are
disadvantaged.
Considerations
Using the Divine command theory, the patients should consider whether their decisions
of ending their lives align with what their God commands. It is a consideration that should also
be taken by the family members involved in the case and the physicians. The reflection of the
requirements can help in coming up with the best decisions during such situations. On the other
hand, doctors must consider their professional code of ethics demands. Isaac et al. (2019)
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mention that training is one factor that can help doctors in this area. Before one becomes a
doctor, they must take the Hippocratic oath, where they swear to protect their patients' lives at all
costs. It is a step that can help them since the final say on whether the procedure can occur lies
with the doctors.
In using the utilitarian theory, the considerations for the patients, family, and the
physicians include the consequences on resources required and those on the health. Malek et al.
(20180 states that all the stakeholders are necessary for decision making. A reflection period
would be needed for a patient to determine what action suits their situation. They can look at the
consequences of dying, whether it can relieve them of suffering or not. Apart from thinking about
themselves, they need to consider family members, such as partners and children who are so
dear. The impact of their death on the family's emotional well-being is also crucial in such a
situation. The family members need to consider the effect of the procedure on their well-being
and financial status. If they get better consequences from both the considerations, then the
system may be given the green light. On the other hand, the physicians must identify the patient's
chances of either getting better or not before undertaking the procedure. They can proceed with it
if they think that instead of getting better, the patient's condition may worsen, increasing
suffering.
Solutions
The need to determine how long a patient can be in the hospitals before they can ask for
assisted dying calls for all stakeholders' input, including the government. The process should not
be hurried to provide the patients with enough time for making proper decisions regarding what
action they want. However, using the utilitarian theory, the process should also not wait for so
long as the patients’ situation may continue deteriorating due to the illnesses. The government
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should provide guidelines to be used by the physicians involved in the provision of the services.
It can ensure that most people obey the laws applied to avoid any punishment resulting from the
same negligence. The physicians should also be offered protection against prosecution in such
cases as this has been experienced severely.
Solving the dilemma of autonomy from the patients require various exercises to confirm that
they do not have mental impairments as the first issue. Only after verifying their sound state can
they be considered able to give c1onsent regarding the prosecution of the process. Such patients
can be taken by identifying the consequences of someone who would not impact their decisions.
Such an approach can take place in both the family and the medical officers to ensure
transparency. With the patients' reflection time, they have individual decisions highlighting the
best decision according to their conditions and consequences.
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Biblography
Gilson, C. C., 2013. Illuminating the Dilemmas of Assisted Dying-The Clarity Afforded by
Orthodox Systems Theory. Available at SSRN 2243496.
Isaac, S., McLachlan, A., and Chaar, B., 2019. Australian Pharmacists' Perspectives on
Physician-assisted Suicide (PAS): Thematic Analysis of Semistructured Interviews. BMJ
Open, 9(10).
Jordan, M., 2017. The Ethical Considerations of Physician-assisted Suicide. Dialogue & Nexus,
4(1), p.12.
MacLeod, R. D., Wilson, D. M., & Malpas, P. (2012). Assisted or Hastened Death: The
Healthcare Practitioner’s Dilemma. Global Journal of Health Science, 4(6), 87.
Malek, M.M., Rahman, N.N.A., Hasan, M.S. and Abdullah, L.H., 2018. Islamic Considerations
on the Application of Patient’s Autonomy in End-of-Life Decision. Journal of Religion
and Health, 57(4), pp.1524-1537.
Miller, C., 2009. Divine Desire Theory and Obligation. New Waves in Philosophy of Religion,
pp.105-24.
MORGAN, J., CAN WE HAVE ETHICS WITHOUT RELIGION? ON DIVINE COMMAND
THEORY AND NATURAL LAW THEORY. Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics, p.14.
Rahimi, S., 2012. Divine Command Theory and Theistic Activism. The Heythrop Journal, 53(4),
pp.551-559.
Singer, P., 2003. Voluntary Euthanasia: A Utilitarian Perspective. Bioethics, 17(5
‐
6), pp.526-541.
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White, B., and Willmott, L., 2018. Future of Assisted Dying Reform in Australia. Australian
Health Review, 42(6), pp.616-620.
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