[Borderline questions in sustaining life-prolonging life. Moral theological viewpoint]

The subject-matter of the main topic of this contribution focuses on the question concerning the criteria for the renunciation of therapy or for the decision to desist from treatment. The normative basis is the recognition of the principle that no one can be medically treated against his or her expressed will. Age in itself is not a morally justified argument to refuse medical treatment such as dialysis, organ transplants or the application of expensive medication. A therapy is to be rejected and also an already begun therapy is to be discontinued when this will neither cure nor ease the illness.