euthanasia?

[natty_baby]

is it wrong to let someone die if they are only being kept alive on life support? is it really euthanasia if we are keeping them alive artificially anyway?

 

[itsablndthng24]

under certain circumstances i think euthanasia is acceptable. but concerning life support it should be the families choice because often times when a patient is on life support they are’nt very coherant.

 

[Scott6003]

I feel id depends on the situation at hand. If they are dieing of a cancer, ie. lung cancer etc, then it should be ok.

The pain people face during lung cancer is so bad that I am sure it would be a lot easier on the patient and on the family. I would rather see them go peacefully then see them day in and day out suffering.

-Scott

 

[Joe_5859]

is it wrong to let someone die if they are only being kept alive on life support? is it really euthanasia if we are keeping them alive artificially anyway?

That’s a very broad question that is very difficult to give a simple answer. Individual circumstances in this area are so varied that there is no straight “yes” or “no” answer.

First, you would have to weight many different questions. What do you mean by “life support”? Is it burdensome to the patient? Is it expected they will recover?

Note that food and water, even by artificial means, is not considered extraordinary care, according to the Church.

Euthanasia is never acceptable. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “Intentional euthanasia, whatever its forms or motives, is murder. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator.” (CCC 2324)

Here’s more of what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about Euthanasia. Notice paragraph 2278 talks about the legitimacy of rejecting “overzealous” treatments, which is probably most pertinent to your question:

Euthanasia (CCC 2276-2279)

2276 Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.

2277 Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.

Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.

2278 Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of “over-zealous” 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 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.

2279 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.