The 'right' to die: the case for and against voluntary passive euthanasia.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The capacity to sustain human biological life by biomedical technology and improved life support systems has reawakened debate on the ‘right’ to die and euthanasia. How can the medical and allied health professions resolve the dilemma between a basic respect for human life and the changed conditions of biomedical technology? Drawing upon the philosophic, religious, and medical traditions of the West, this paper explores and weighs the arguments for and against voluntary passive euthanasia. It is concluded that infants and children, minors, senile, psychotic, mentally retarded, and irrecoverably brain damaged persons should not be considered candidates for euthanasia because they are not competent to judge. Involuntary and active euthanasia are condemned as outside the religious and medical traditions of the West. This leaves a small group of candidates for euthanasia who are mentally competent and fully informed of their chances for prolongation of life. Consideration should also be given to the ...