Euthanasia

Introduction

This essay defines the concept of euthanasia, further describes individual forms of euthanasia, the
situation in medicine, and resolves the yes or no question. The essay deals with the right to die,
social views, medical view and euthanasia in the Czech Republic.

The word itself comes from the Greek language and consists of two parts: eu (good) and thanatos
(death). Where eu is taken as a preposition and thanatos as a noun. The expression of the word
euthanasia does not only express a good death, but also an easy, non-violent, painless and happy
death. The essence of euthanasia lies in facilitating the departure from the earthly world for
persons who would continue to suffer and live a worthless life full of suffering and pain. It is
very important to take into account the double combination to which the medical practice and the
statements of the survivors belong in the form: he is better that way, it was a deliverance for
him. In this case, one can agree that death is desirable if it comes sooner rather than later.^1

Forms of euthanasia

From the point of view of bioethics, the division of euthanasia is extensive. We can talk about
requested, unsolicited and involuntary euthanasia. It is also possible to divide into passive and
active euthanasia.^2

1) Active euthanasia

In this case, a third party intervenes in the course of the patient's life, who mediates the
killing of the given person. The act itself is intentional and takes place only at the request of
the patient.^3,4

2) Passive euthanasia

In this case of euthanasia, the sick patient is left without treatment. These are primarily
patients who are connected to devices that maintain individuals with vital functions. Passive
euthanasia itself occurs when the patient is disconnected from the devices that maintain the
patient's basic vital functions or by not administering medication. The law clearly defines the
guidelines for this form of euthanasia.^5

3) Requested euthanasia

The consent of the requested euthanasia must be given by a conscious patient or a relative who is
able to demonstrate as best as possible the fact that the patient, who is no longer conscious,
would have consented.^1,4

4) Unsolicited euthanasia

It occurs when it is performed without the clear consent of the patient or at the request of
relatives.^1

5) Involuntary euthanasia

Euthanasia carried out without regard to the opinion of the patient, but for his benefit.^4

It is also possible to talk about abortion (prenatal euthanasia). This performance is decided by
the mother herself and one cannot speak of a death by grace, as the child does not suffer from pain
or a terminal illness. Social euthanasia can be included among another form, which is characterized
by the fact of providing care to all people. We encountered social euthanasia in the coronavirus
pandemic, when people came to hospitals and were not provided with care. There was a lack of
equipment, medical personnel and hygiene aids.^4,6

The opposite of euthanasia is dysthanasia. Artificially prolonging life and denying natural
death.^1

The situation in medicine

Each of the doctors looks at the forms of euthanasia from their own point of view. The concept of
active euthanasia is condemned even at the cost of requiring it by the patient himself. The concept
of passive euthanasia is considered meaningless.^7

First of all, it is a historical and social context based on Nazi Germany. Doctors were forced to
introduce euthanasia, which led to the extermination of people. It was mainly undesirable people
(race, nationality, gender). This context also contributes to the senselessness of passive
euthanasia, as it is characterized by not starting treatment.^7

According to the legal system, both active and passive euthanasia are considered murder.^6

Yes or no?

The expansive development of science represented by medicine and biotechnologies contemplates the
incorporation of euthanasia. Many questions surface to ponder. Question marks are hidden in human
will, in a person's decision about his own death, responsibility for the death of a given person,
ethics.^3,7

Munzarova promotes the approach of letting go-permission to die. The right to die is distinguished
from killing. ^8

The Hippocratic Oath binds doctors to the practice of their profession. At the same time, they
promise to help and not harm.^3

The patients themselves are often affected by severe pain, which can also affect their mind. These
pains can lead the patient to consider euthanasia. It is often enough to simply adjust the
medication to stop the death calls. The result is primarily effective treatment.^2,4

The second group of people perceives euthanasia as bad. They claim that death is in the hands of
God.^4

Among other things, euthanasia leaves psychological damage on medical personnel from doctors,
nurses, orderlies and medics. Taking a human life is a very difficult task.^4

A paradox can arise in the case of abuse of euthanasia to gain an inheritance.^4

Right to death

There are many reasons that lead people to consider euthanasia. Above all, it is helplessness, the
inability to take care of oneself, a great burden for loved ones. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or
Alzheimer's disease can be included here, which progress to a state where the patient is unable to
perform any activity in the terminal stage. A poor health prognosis associated with cancer is one
of the other negatives, when the sick and suffering begin to think about a peaceful departure.^1

In order for a person to undergo euthanasia, he must be registered with the relevant organization.
The registration must be approved, and then the medical record is sent to the doctor. The
documentation is evaluated by a doctor and a personal meeting between the doctor and the patient is
necessary, who will then assess the euthanasia request. Patients from abroad must accept the rules
of the country in question. They have to stay in for 3 to 4 days beforehand and then the procedure
is scheduled within a day or two. The registered patient signs a wish to die on the day of the
procedure. He takes a substance that prevents vomiting and is subsequently administered a lethal
substance. Everything is documented that the given patient acted according to his requirements and
thinking. Sleep occurs first, followed by death within 30 minutes. The family can be present at the
procedure with the organization's staff providing support. After examining the deceased, the death
is reported to the police as an emergency.^9

All patients are entitled to euthanasia for whom conventional medical procedures cannot be used to
improve their health. These are cancer, diseases affecting the nervous system, dementia and
multiple sclerosis.^1,8

Social views

In my opinion, the company is very dynamic and constantly evolving. Of course, opinions discussing
euthanasia are also constantly evolving. Belief, environment, profession, culture influence the
individual's attitude towards euthanasia.

In 2019, the Czech Statistical Office noted that 2/3 of the Czech population is in favor of
euthanasia, a tenth did not know, and less than a quarter are against assisted suicide. Disapproval
was often expressed by people of the Roman Catholic faith.^10

A religious view

People professing a faith follow its written law. The dying person should be surrounded by loved
ones when leaving the earthly life. The believer must recite the creed before his departure, so
that the angel separates the soul from the body and accompanies it to the court of first
instance.^11

Medical view

The Hippocratic Oath has a tribal position in medical ethics. It consists of ethical principles
that must be followed by practicing physicians. Medical ethics includes the doctor's attitude
towards the patient, interpersonal relations in the healthcare sector, deals with theoretical and
clinical medicine, solves the issue of reproduction and dying, which is related to euthanasia and
palliative care. If there is a violation of the above ethical principles, the doctor is obliged to
appear before the ethics committee.^12

Medical ethics prohibit a doctor from killing a patient. The main task of the doctor is to find out
the clinical condition of the individual and to try to cure it. Palliative care is a compromise in
euthanasia. Complications caused by a terminal illness are alleviated with the help of palliative
treatment.^3,8

Euthanasia in the Czech Republic

Euthanasia is prohibited in the Czech Republic. It is possible to use alternative care in the form
of palliative medicine. The World Health Organization defines palliative care as a specialized form
of medical care that aims to alleviate patients' suffering and optimize the quality of remaining
life. For patients who are in the terminal stage of the disease, it is very important to use
sedative treatment in the form of analgesics and opioids in a timely and effective manner, which
relieve the individual from unbearable pain.^13

Palliative care itself deals not only with the relief of pain, but also with the physical,
psychosocial and spiritual aspects of patients in the terminal stage of their illness. The
palliative care team consists of professionals in the form of a palliative care physician, nurse,
social worker, chaplain and pharmacist. The immediate goal of palliation is to relieve a person in
the terminal stage of the disease from the unbearable pain caused by cancer.^14

Conclusion

The goal of this essay was to give the reader comprehensive information related to the issue of
euthanasia. The essay explains the concept of euthanasia. The work also deals with forms of
euthanasia, which include active, passive, requested, unsolicited and voluntary euthanasia. The
concept of abortion and social euthanasia is also outlined.

Furthermore, the work describes the situation in medicine. It addresses the question of yes or no
to euthanasia. Describes the right to die, social views, religious view, medical view.

The last paragraph deals with the issue of euthanasia in the Czech Republic. Euthanasia is
prohibited and palliative medicine is used instead.

The diseases mentioned above are very limiting to human life. In such situations, I lean towards
euthanasia, because suffering from an incurable disease is very difficult. The person himself
suffers, but so do the relatives. In these cases, from my own point of view, I approve of
euthanasia.














Resources

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11.   Náboženství a smrt: Co nás čeká na onom světě? – Epochaplus.cz. Accessed December 18, 2022.
https://epochaplus.cz/nabozenstvi-a-smrt-co-nas-ceka-na-onom-svete/

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Physicians and Surgeons. Published November 22, 2014. Accessed December 18, 2022.
https://aapsonline.org/aaps-news-november-2014-war-on-life-2/

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