Introduction
One of the most significant issues concerning individual freedom revolves around end-of-life decisions, particularly when an individual has the physical and mental capacity to freely choose how and when they wish to die. This raises the crucial question: if a terminally ill patient requests assistance from a doctor to end their life, and the doctor agrees, should this act be legal? In other words, should active euthanasia and medically assisted suicide be legalized? This is precisely what the “Trasciende Law: For a Dignified Death in Mexico” proposes, and it may be discussed soon in the Mexican Congress.
Understanding Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
To analyze this topic, it’s essential to define euthanasia and medically assisted suicide. According to Dr. Asunción Álvarez del Río in her book “Practice and Ethics of Euthanasia” (FCE, 2005), the following definitions apply:
- Euthanasia: An act or method applied by a physician to end a patient’s life painlessly, at the patient’s request, to terminate their suffering. There are two types of euthanasia: active (involving the application of therapy intended to cause the patient’s death) and passive (abstention or suspension of treatment).
- Medically Assisted Suicide: The act of providing a physically capable patient with the means to commit suicide, allowing them to act independently.
Both euthanasia and medically assisted suicide are options for terminally ill, mentally capable individuals to decide freely how and when they wish to end their lives with medical assistance, upon their explicit request.
The Importance of End-of-Life Decisions
Nobody would wish to experience a terminal illness causing significant physical and/or emotional suffering, especially when therapeutic treatments can no longer cure or even alleviate the pain. Although there’s no guarantee this won’t happen, individuals should have the option to choose assistance in ending their suffering by expediting death, either through active euthanasia (administered directly by the physician) or medically assisted suicide (self-administered by the patient).
Opposition to End-of-Life Decisions
Despite its importance to an individual exercising their freedom of choice, some oppose this exercise of liberty. Opponents usually argue based on the “sanctity of life,” claiming no one owns their life, as it belongs to a “higher being.” This perspective perceives life as an obligation rather than a right and violates the liberal principle that life is a natural right, disregarding individual free will in decisions like when to die.
Physician’s Role and Responsibility
Regarding whether a physician must comply with a terminally ill patient’s request for assistance in dying, the answer is no. Physicians can exercise their “conscientious objection” and choose not to participate. Their involvement is entirely voluntary.
If a physician, after confirming that no curative therapy can help a patient suffering from high levels of physical and/or emotional distress, decides to assist in ending the patient’s life, this act should be recognized and protected within the legal framework. It should not be considered homicide when a physician applies euthanasia or assists in a patient’s suicide.
Legalization and Individual Freedom
The legalization of euthanasia and medically assisted suicide does not compel anyone to request or apply them. Those who don’t want it should not ask for it, but denying this option to those who wish to end their lives due to unbearable suffering exceeds the state’s responsibility. Legalizing these practices ensures full freedom of choice at life’s end.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is euthanasia? Euthanasia involves a physician applying a method to end a patient’s life painlessly, at their request, to terminate suffering. It can be active (directly causing death) or passive (withholding treatment).
- What is medically assisted suicide? Medically assisted suicide provides a terminally ill, mentally capable patient with the means to end their life independently.
- Is a physician obligated to assist in end-of-life decisions? No, physicians can exercise conscientious objection and choose not to participate in end-of-life decisions.
- What happens if a physician assists in euthanasia or medically assisted suicide? If a physician, after confirming no curative therapy is available and the patient suffers significantly, decides to assist in ending their life, this act should be legally recognized and protected.
- Does legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide force anyone to use them? No, legalization does not compel anyone to request or apply these options. It ensures full freedom of choice at life’s end.
