Euthanasia

Question 1

Euthanasia

Answer 1

directly or indirectly bringing about the death of another person for that person’s sake
- a “good death”

Question 2

Moral conflicts

Answer 2

1. the nonmaleficence principle of physicians
2. principle of saving lives
3. autonomy principle: patient controll
4. beneficence principle: end suffering/create happiness
5. justice: treat the least well off fairly

Question 3

When is death

Answer 3

1. complete cessation of all biological functions?
2. whole brain death?
3. higher brain death?

Question 4

whole brain death

Answer 4

all brain functions permanently cease

Question 5

higher brain death

Answer 5

higher brain functions responsible for consciousness permanently cease

Question 6

passive euthanasia

Answer 6

allowing someone to die by not doing something that would prolong life
- legal in the U.S.

Question 7

ex. of passive euthanasia

Answer 7

• removing a feeding tube/ventilator
• failing to perform necessary procedure
• refraining from giving life sustaining medicine

Question 8

active euthanasia

Answer 8

performing an action that directly causes someone to die (administering a lethal injection; gas, etc.)

• not legal in U.S.
• legal in netherlands, belgium, colombia, canada

Question 9

voluntary

Answer 9

situations in which competent patients request or agree to euthanasia, communicating their wishes while competent or through instructions if they become incompetent (advanced directives/living will).

Question 10

voluntary passive

Answer 10

legal in U.S.

Question 11

voluntary active

Answer 11

illegal in the U.S.

Question 12

Nonvoluntary

Answer 12

Performed when patients not competent to choose and have not previously disclosed their preferences

Question 13

ex. of nonvoluntary

Answer 13

• adults who have become incompetent
• adults who have never been competent
• children (usually decided by family, physician, or other designated person

Question 14

involuntary euthanasia

Answer 14

Bring about someone’s death against their will or without asking them to decide.

Question 15

what is the worry

Answer 15

legalization of active euthanasia will create a slipperly slope that leads to involuntary euthanasia

Question 16

active voluntary (matrix)

Answer 16

directly causing death with consent of patient

Question 17

active nonvoluntary (matrix)

Answer 17

directly causing death without consent of patient

Question 18

passive voluntary (matrix)

Answer 18

withholding/withdrawing life sustaining measures with consent of patient

Question 19

passive nonvoluntary

Answer 19

withholding/withdrawing life sustaining measures without the consent of the patient

Question 20

physician-assisted suicide

Answer 20

patient takes their own life with aid of a physician

Question 21

oregon’s death with dignity act

Answer 21

• final 6 months of terminal illness
• two oral and one written request, separated by 2 weeks
• must be mentally competent
• 2 doctors must confirm the diagnosis
• p. 632

Question 22

kant and euthanasia

Answer 22

against it because of the dignity of human life. but what about incompetent people