Involuntary euthanasia
Encyclopedia
Non-voluntary euthanasia (sometimes known as mercy killing) is euthanasia
conducted where the explicit consent
of the individual
concerned is unavailable. In the modern world, the term is usually applied to medical situations.
, where euthanasia is performed against the will of the patient.
) under an agreement between physicians and district attorneys that was ratified by the Dutch National Association of Pediatricians.
Passive non-voluntary euthanasia (withholding life support) is legal in India, Albania, and many parts of the United States and is practised in English hospitals.
Arguing for legalization, Len Doyal
, a professor of medical ethics and former member of the ethics committee of the British Medical Association
, said in 2006 that "[p]roponents of voluntary euthanasia should support non-voluntary euthanasia under appropriate circumstances and with proper regulation".
Arguing against legalization is activist Peter Saunders, campaign director for Care Not Killing
, an alliance of Christian
and disability
groups, who called Doyal's proposals "the very worst form of medical paternalism whereby doctors can end the lives of patients after making a judgment that their lives are of no value and claim that they are simply acting in their patients' best interests".
argument, in which it is claimed that permitting voluntary euthanasia to occur will lead to the support and legalization of non-voluntary and involuntary euthanasia
, although several studies have contested this idea.
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
conducted where the explicit consent
Consent
Consent refers to the provision of approval or agreement, particularly and especially after thoughtful consideration.- Types of consent :*Implied consent is a controversial form of consent which is not expressly granted by a person, but rather inferred from a person's actions and the facts and...
of the individual
Individual
An individual is a person or any specific object or thing in a collection. Individuality is the state or quality of being an individual; a person separate from other persons and possessing his or her own needs, goals, and desires. Being self expressive...
concerned is unavailable. In the modern world, the term is usually applied to medical situations.
Contrast with involuntary euthanasia
It may be contrasted with involuntary euthanasiaInvoluntary euthanasia
Non-voluntary euthanasia is euthanasia conducted where the explicit consent of the individual concerned is unavailable...
, where euthanasia is performed against the will of the patient.
Substituted judgment
The decision can be made based on what the incapacitated individual would have wanted, or it could be made on substituted judgment of what the decision maker would want were he or she in the incapacitated person's place, or finally, the decision could be made by the doctor by his own decisionLegal status
Active non-voluntary euthanasia is illegal in all countries in the world, although it is practised in the Netherlands (see Groningen ProtocolGroningen Protocol
The Groningen Protocol is a text created in September 2004 by Eduard Verhagen, the medical director of the department of pediatrics at the University Medical Center Groningen in Groningen, The Netherlands...
) under an agreement between physicians and district attorneys that was ratified by the Dutch National Association of Pediatricians.
Passive non-voluntary euthanasia (withholding life support) is legal in India, Albania, and many parts of the United States and is practised in English hospitals.
Arguing for legalization, Len Doyal
Len Doyal
Professor Len Doyal is emeritus professor of medical ethics at Queen Mary, University of London and a medical ethicist. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1944 and studied philosophy and sociology at Georgia State University, earning his undergraduate degree in 1966...
, a professor of medical ethics and former member of the ethics committee of the British Medical Association
British Medical Association
The British Medical Association is the professional association and registered trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom. The association does not regulate or certify doctors, a responsibility which lies with the General Medical Council. The association’s headquarters are located in BMA House,...
, said in 2006 that "[p]roponents of voluntary euthanasia should support non-voluntary euthanasia under appropriate circumstances and with proper regulation".
Arguing against legalization is activist Peter Saunders, campaign director for Care Not Killing
Care Not Killing
Care, Not Killing is an alliance of several organisations who are opposed to the legalisation of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide in the United Kingdom.-Alliance members:The members of the alliance include:* British Council of Disabled People...
, an alliance of Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and disability
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
groups, who called Doyal's proposals "the very worst form of medical paternalism whereby doctors can end the lives of patients after making a judgment that their lives are of no value and claim that they are simply acting in their patients' best interests".
Slippery slope debate
Non-voluntary euthanasia is sometimes cited as one of the possible outcomes of the slippery slopeSlippery slope
In debate or rhetoric, a slippery slope is a classic form of argument, arguably an informal fallacy...
argument, in which it is claimed that permitting voluntary euthanasia to occur will lead to the support and legalization of non-voluntary and involuntary euthanasia
Involuntary euthanasia
Non-voluntary euthanasia is euthanasia conducted where the explicit consent of the individual concerned is unavailable...
, although several studies have contested this idea.