Law and Euthanasia, British House of Lords - Essay Example

The diseases often lead patients to great suffering, pain, and agony without signs of getting cured (Miller, 2009; Pg. 176); therefore, in most cases, patients, doctors, and or patients’ family members often suggest the termination of the life of such patients as means of ending their (patients’) suffering (Scherer and Simon, 1999; Pg. 372). Ending the lives of persons suffering from terminal diseases is often referred to as Euthanasia or dying with dignity. Euthanasia is usually regulated by law and different countries have different laws and regulations to such deaths.

British House of Lords delegated the responsibilities regarding to Euthanasia to its committee on the Medical Ethics (Jackson, 2005; Pg. 36). The committee was to define the conditions that would justify Euthanasia. It is worth noting involving the Medical ethics committee in defining terms and conditions for Euthanasia since they are well conversant in illness and situations when such patients should be helped overcome or when Euthanasia is to be executed (Dudley, 2002; Pg. 262).

The committee that was initiated by delegates from the British House of Lords defined Euthanasia as the “deliberate intervention usually executed with the express intention of ending a life to relieve a person from intractable suffering (Rosenfeld and Sajó, 2012; Pg. 85).” It is apparent that Euthanasia has pros and cons. One of the pros is that following the doctors’ diagnoses and confirmation that a patient is suffering from a terminal illness, it is upon them to offer solutions for the same. In cases where patients cannot survive and are in immense pain and suffering despite treatment, doctors are justified to advise euthanasia for such (Bloyd, 1995; Pg. 263). In this case, euthanasia is a real help for such patients and their families and friends.

However, in cases where patients have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses but certain medications can be used to comfort and prolong their lives, the administration of euthanasia may be regarded as murder despite the nature of the disease (Tulloch, 2007; Pg. 66). Therefore, in such cases, such patients should just be under such medication until their dying days. Nonetheless, what if the patient (including families and friends) cannot afford such medications and may only leave them with huge debts (Biggs, 2000; Pg. 197)? The patient is already known to be dying in less than six months or so, may such families or friends, or even doctors advise for euthanasia? The law regarding terminal illness and financial matters shall help in answering this dilemma (Forrester and Griffiths, 2010; Pg. 159). In other words, different legislations have different ways and circumstances through which euthanasia can be administered (Cavan, 2000; Pg. 162).

It is worth noting that there are different categories of euthanasia and they include voluntary Euthanasia, non-voluntary Euthanasia, and involuntary Euthanasia. Some schools of thought hold that non-voluntary and to some extent, voluntary Euthanasia can be regarded as killing a patient as opposed to administering euthanasia to them (Keown, 1998; Pg. 271). Voluntary euthanasia is the conducting of a dignified death with the consent or knowledge of the patient. This form of euthanasia is applicable in many nations including in the United States where it was introduced through the Cruzan v. Director Case that was filed against the Missouri Department of Health that commissioned the practice (Medina, 2005; Pg. 189).

However, it should be noted that patients can only commission their deaths through the advice and assistance of their doctors. That is why sometimes euthanasia is referred to as assisted suicide (Somerville, 2001; Pg. 168). This form of euthanasia is justifiable since there is involvement of the doctor who will be obliged to advise the patient, the legal team, and the family on the actual medical conditions of patients that can only be solved through euthanasia (Torr, 2000; Pg. 172). Additionally, it is worth noting that voluntary euthanasia is appropriate since it is only applicable to patients who are 18 years old and above.

Patients who cannot signup for voluntary euthanasia due to their dire medical conditions are usually subjected to non-voluntary where consent or knowledge is never soughed for their euthanasia. Child euthanasia is the most common nonvoluntary euthanasia (McDougall, Gorman, and Roberts, 2008; Pg. 87). Child euthanasia is illegal worldwide since it may subject children to life discrimination. However, with certain specific medical circumstances, child euthanasia can be allowed to relieve a child suffering a terminal illness from pain and suffering (Dworkin, Frey, and Bok, 1998; Pg. 214). For instance, the  Netherlands is one of the countries that allow child euthanasia, but only under specific and dire circumstances. Euthanasia can sometimes be executed against the will of the patient, despite their knowledge that they are to be subjected to euthanasia. This type of euthanasia is known as involuntary euthanasia (Letellier, 2003; Pg. 63). This form of euthanasia is not common; nonetheless, it should never be allowed. Read More