Unit 7
Euthanasia
DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW:
Ficarra – Surgical and allied malpractice:
• The question concerning euthanasia is a conflict between 2 directors = God and his right over
life and death +persons who are of the opinion that man wants to fulfill his own desires and
can decide his whole life
Glanville Williams - Deals with the sanctify of life and criminal law:
• Euthanasia is permissible if its performed with genuine love and compassion to relieve the
patient excruciating pain
Prof Chris Barnard:
• Why should medicine try to prolong the process of life when it cant be enjoyed anymore
• We are not prolonging the process of life but prolonging death
Prof JD Van Der Vyve - Euthanasia:
• The artificial perpetuation of life a person whose death in the immediate future has become
inevitable and may in some circumstances infringe the will of god
Prof JMT Labuschagne:
• ….The intention of killing a fellow being with the aim to end suffering or purposeless life
WHAT IS EUTHANASIA?
Origin:
• Euthanasia is derived from Greek word “Euthanatos” and this consists of 2 parts:
a. Eu means = good
b. Thanatos means = death
• So Euthanasia means good death or “to die with dignity”
• Afrikaans medical terms dictionary says it means “easy, painless death”
1
, DIFFERENT FORMS OF EUTHANASIA:
The following different forms of euthanasia must be distinguished:
Active euthanasia:
• Unlawfully and intentionally causing the death of a person through a direct action in
response to a request from that person.
Passive euthanasia:
• The hastening of the death of a person by withdrawing some form of life – sustaining
support and letting nature take its course (Eg: a) removing the life support equipment; or b)
stopping of medical procedures, medication, etc.)
Voluntary euthanasia:
• The causing of the death of a patient with their consent or some form of advanced directive
such as a living will.
Involuntary euthanasia:
• The causing of the death of a patient in opposition to their wishes and is regarded as
murder.
Physician – assisted suicide:
• Where a physician supplies information and/or the means of committing suicide (eg. a
prescription for a lethal dose of sleeping pills) to a person in order for him/her to terminate
his/her life.
KILLING OF A HUMAN BEING:
• In our law = intentional killing of a human being is unlawful except in cases where
acknowledged grounds of justification is present
• The motive of how an act is committed doesn’t constitute a ground of justification
• Compassion and empathy someone has for a sufferer doesn’t justify sufferer being killed
and relieved from suffering
• Perpetrators act is still considered murder BUT there may be essential influence on
sentencing because some question the purpose of criminalizing euthanasia
2
Euthanasia
DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW:
Ficarra – Surgical and allied malpractice:
• The question concerning euthanasia is a conflict between 2 directors = God and his right over
life and death +persons who are of the opinion that man wants to fulfill his own desires and
can decide his whole life
Glanville Williams - Deals with the sanctify of life and criminal law:
• Euthanasia is permissible if its performed with genuine love and compassion to relieve the
patient excruciating pain
Prof Chris Barnard:
• Why should medicine try to prolong the process of life when it cant be enjoyed anymore
• We are not prolonging the process of life but prolonging death
Prof JD Van Der Vyve - Euthanasia:
• The artificial perpetuation of life a person whose death in the immediate future has become
inevitable and may in some circumstances infringe the will of god
Prof JMT Labuschagne:
• ….The intention of killing a fellow being with the aim to end suffering or purposeless life
WHAT IS EUTHANASIA?
Origin:
• Euthanasia is derived from Greek word “Euthanatos” and this consists of 2 parts:
a. Eu means = good
b. Thanatos means = death
• So Euthanasia means good death or “to die with dignity”
• Afrikaans medical terms dictionary says it means “easy, painless death”
1
, DIFFERENT FORMS OF EUTHANASIA:
The following different forms of euthanasia must be distinguished:
Active euthanasia:
• Unlawfully and intentionally causing the death of a person through a direct action in
response to a request from that person.
Passive euthanasia:
• The hastening of the death of a person by withdrawing some form of life – sustaining
support and letting nature take its course (Eg: a) removing the life support equipment; or b)
stopping of medical procedures, medication, etc.)
Voluntary euthanasia:
• The causing of the death of a patient with their consent or some form of advanced directive
such as a living will.
Involuntary euthanasia:
• The causing of the death of a patient in opposition to their wishes and is regarded as
murder.
Physician – assisted suicide:
• Where a physician supplies information and/or the means of committing suicide (eg. a
prescription for a lethal dose of sleeping pills) to a person in order for him/her to terminate
his/her life.
KILLING OF A HUMAN BEING:
• In our law = intentional killing of a human being is unlawful except in cases where
acknowledged grounds of justification is present
• The motive of how an act is committed doesn’t constitute a ground of justification
• Compassion and empathy someone has for a sufferer doesn’t justify sufferer being killed
and relieved from suffering
• Perpetrators act is still considered murder BUT there may be essential influence on
sentencing because some question the purpose of criminalizing euthanasia
2
