Euthanasia : Passive
Passive Euthanasia is best defined as the "withdrawal of medical treatment with the deliberate intention to hasten a terminally ill-patient's death" and looked at as nature taking its course. Though Passive Euthanasia may seem somewhat understanding, it is not. The reason Passive Euthanasia is Illegal in most countries is because the laws have ruled that if the death of a human being is preventable and one takes part, encourages,supports or does nothing to prevent it, they will be held acountable for their death.
Passive Euthanasia example methods include:
Passive Euthanasia example methods include:
- Failure to rescusitate a human being
- A 'Do Not Resuscitate' (DNR) order signed by the wishes of the patient that prevents them from being kept alive artificially, and/or from being resuscitated incase of any serious event (LEGAL)
- Food & Water Deprivation
- Removing a patient from 'life-support' prematurely (LEGAL ONLY IF 'BRAIN DEAD')
- With-holding medical treatment
The clip below from ABC's Greys Anatomy shows a man who was trying to prolong his wife's life although she had signed a DNR, and legally the doctors had to repect her wishes.
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Commonly Asked questions on Passive Euthanasia.
Is a Terminally-Ill patient allowed to not take the prescribed medicine given by a physician?
-Yes and No. The question today is still being debated
Quote from Dr. Trisha Briscoe at 2004 Medical Law Conference ""The right to refuse treatment flows from a right to inviolability - a right not to be touched,
including by continuing treatment, without one's consent - not from a right to die. Withdrawal of treatment will mean death, but it will result from the patient's underlying illness."
If a person is about to die (EXAMPLE: DROWNING) and you just let it happen, would that be considered as passive euthanasia?
No. If the person has mistakenly drowned and you are either unable or unwilling to help them, it is not considered euthanasia. However, if you knew
the individuals intentions, they would be commiting suicide, and if you helped them in any way it would be considered "Assisted-Suicide" which is a form of Euthanasia.
-Yes and No. The question today is still being debated
Quote from Dr. Trisha Briscoe at 2004 Medical Law Conference ""The right to refuse treatment flows from a right to inviolability - a right not to be touched,
including by continuing treatment, without one's consent - not from a right to die. Withdrawal of treatment will mean death, but it will result from the patient's underlying illness."
If a person is about to die (EXAMPLE: DROWNING) and you just let it happen, would that be considered as passive euthanasia?
No. If the person has mistakenly drowned and you are either unable or unwilling to help them, it is not considered euthanasia. However, if you knew
the individuals intentions, they would be commiting suicide, and if you helped them in any way it would be considered "Assisted-Suicide" which is a form of Euthanasia.