medigraphic.com
Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán

2014, Number 3

<< Back Next >>

Rev Invest Clin 2014; 66 (3)

Euthanasia and physician assisted suicide: what is the problem?

Álvarez-Del Río A

Language: Spanish
References: 28
Page: 282-287
PDF size: 143.28 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Some persons with refractory and unbearable suffering caused by an illness or medical condition wish to die by euthanasia or physician assisted suicide in order to have a certain and painless death. Physicians who agree to help a patient to die have previously confirmed that his/her illness cannot be cured, his/her suffering cannot be relieved and he/ she is of sound mind. Being well informed of his/her condition, the patient arrives to the conclusion that in his/her situation being death is better that being alive. How to explain that there are very few places in which physicians are allowed to help their patients to die? The main arguments against legalizing physician-assisted death are analyzed in this article.


REFERENCES

  1. PRWeb. 2012. Massachusetts Disability Rights Activists Relieved That Voters Defeated Assisted Suicide Initiative. Disponible en: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/11/ prweb10103831.htm [Consultado el 23 de enero 2014].

  2. Andorno R. Non-physician assisted suicide in Switzerland. Camb Q Healthc Ethic 2013; 22: 246-53.

  3. Haan J de. The ethics of euthanasia: advocates’ perspectives. Bioethics 2002; 16(2): 154-72.

  4. Spranzi M. The French Euthanasia Debate. Exception and Solidarity. Camb Q Healthc Ethic 2013; 22: 254-62.

  5. Dyer C. Assisted suicide for the dying would reduce suffering, says Falconer. BMJ 2013; 346: f3206.

  6. Schüklenk U, van Delden JJM, Downie J, McLean SAM, Upshur R, Weinstock D. End-of-life decision-making in Canada: the report by the Royal Society of Canada expert panel on end-oflife decision-making. Bioethics 2011; 25: 1-73.

  7. Physician-assisted suicide. N Engl J Med 2013; 368: 1450-2.

  8. Akabayashi A. Euthanasia, assisted suicide, and cessation of life support: Japan’s policy, law and an analysis of whistle blowing in two recent mercy killing cases. Soc Sci Med 2002; 55(4): 517-27.

  9. Honyi W. Most Chinese have open mind toward euthanasia. Chinadaily.com.cn.2013. Disponible en: http:/www.chinadaily. com.cn/china/2013-12/31/content_17206128.htm [Consultado el 22 de enero 2014].

  10. Quill TE. Physician-Assisted Death in the United States: Are the Existing “last Resorts” Enough? Hastings Cent Rep 2008; 38(5): 17-22.

  11. Hennezel M de. La tentación de la eutanasia. México: Nueva Imagen; 2001, p. 215-21.

  12. Sumner LW. Assisted Death. A Study in Ethics & Law. Nueva York, Estados Unidos: Oxford University Press; 2011, p. 201.

  13. Bernheim JL, Deschepper R, Distelmans W, et al. Development of palliative care and legalization of euthanasia: antagonism or synergy? BMJ 2008; 336: 864-7.

  14. World right-to-die news list. Hospice, the Right to Die Movement and the Liberty In Between. Disponible en: http:// lists.opn.org/pipermail/right-to-die_lists.opn.org/2013-July/ 005521.html [Consultado el 18 de septiembre 2013].

  15. Claessens P, Menten J, Schotsmans P, et al. Palliative sedation, not slow euthanasia. J Pain Symptom Manage 2011; 41(1): 14-24.

  16. Azulay A. La sedación terminal. Aspectos éticos. An Med Interna 2003; 20(12):645-9.

  17. Somerville M. Death Talk. The Case against Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide. Canada: McGill-Queen’s University Press; 2001.

  18. Canadian Medical Association CMA reiterates opposition to euthanasia, assisted suicide. Disponible en: http://www.cma.ca/ index.php?ci_id=10043406&la_id=1 [Consultado el 18 de septiembre 2013]

  19. Lisker R, Álvarez del Río A, Villa A, et al. Physician-assisted Death. Opinions of a Sample of Mexican Physicians. Arch Med Res 2008; 39(4): 452-8.

  20. Alvar L, Villarreal-Garza C, Sifuentes E, et al. Physician-assisted Death. Opinions of Mexicans Medical Students and Residents. Arch Med Res 2013; 44: 475-8.

  21. Angell M. May Doctors Help You to Die? The New York Review of Books October 11, 2012.

  22. Elliot C. Philosopher assisted suicide and euthanasia. BMJ 1996; 313: 1088-89.

  23. Kimsma G, Clark CC. Shared Obligations and “Medical Friendships” in Assisted Dying. En: Youngner SJ, Kimsma GK (eds.) Physician-Assisted Death in Perspective. Assessing the Dutch Experience. New York: Cambridge University Press; 2012, p. 263-76.

  24. Rietjens JAC, Deschepper R, Pasman R, et al. Medical end-of-life decisions: Does its use differ in vulnerable patient groups? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Soc Sci Med 2012; 74: 1282-7.

  25. Battin MP, Heide A van der, Ganzini L, et al. Legal physicianassisted dying in Oregon and the Netherlands: evidence concerning the impact on patients in ‘‘vulnerable’’ groups. J Med Ethics 2007; 33: 591-7.

  26. Peace WL. Comfort Care as Denial of Personhood. Hastings Cent Rep 2012; 42(4): 14-7.

  27. Kenwright S. What do families and professional organizations really think about assisted dying? BMJ 2013; 347: f4912.

  28. Living and Dying Well. Another ‘Assisted Dying’ Bill Does it pass the public safety test? Disponible en: http:// www.livinganddyingwell.org.uk/sites/default/files/REORT%20-%20Analysis%20of%20the%20Assisted%0Dig2Bill%20%5BHL%20Bill%2024%5D.pdf[consultado el 18 de septiembre 2013].




2020     |     www.medigraphic.com