Can you help with this ethical question for a university environment?

[jamesneiman]

Hello,

I am a professor in an online university and am a Ph.D. dissertation advisor. One of my students wants to do her dissertation on the benefits of palliative care vs aggressive treatment for terminal cancer patients. She personally holds the opinion that euthanasia should be used, and I have been trying to tell her not to show any bias toward a foregone conclusion in her research. My first question is, am I getting into dangerous territory here? I don’t want, in any way, to sign my name to a dissertation that can be used to justify euthanasia. My second question is, what is the church’s official stance on palliative care? My final question is, should I withdraw as her dissertation advisor or continue taking on the challenge of trying to reduce the potential for harm her research may contain?

Many thanks for your help!

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

The Church does not rule out such care so long as it is not used as an alternative to attempting to cure the disease. If this person’s stated intention is to support the use of euthanasia, then state your objections as convincingly as you can and withdraw. I strongly encourage you to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament before you do this.

You are in our prayers.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.