[The controversy about so-called "active euthanasia"]

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Bioethics
• Philosophy of Medicine

Context:

• Intensified global discussion on the right to end the lives of terminally ill patients for humanitarian reasons.
• Euthanasia is officially practiced only in the Netherlands, but assisted suicide is prevalent in countries like Switzerland.
• Growing legislative pressure to legalize euthanasia in various nations.

Purpose:

• To critically examine the medico-ethical, historical, and philosophical arguments surrounding euthanasia.
• To analyze the potential dangers and uncontrolled expansion of euthanasia indications.
• To address the ethical complexities at the intersection of end-of-life decisions and organ transplantation.

Summary:

• The author firmly rejects the legalization of euthanasia based on ethical considerations, historical precedents, and concerns about the uncontrollable expansion of its application.
• The abstract highlights the ethical challenges in determining the moment of death for organ donors, cautioning against organ procurement from dying individuals.
• It underscores the difficulty for physicians in balancing patient advocacy with transplantation demands and calls for support from local ethical commissions.

Impact:

• Provides a strong ethical counter-argument to the legalization of euthanasia.
• Raises awareness about the potential for abuse and the slippery slope argument in end-of-life care.
• Offers critical insights into the ethical dilemmas faced in organ donation and transplantation, advocating for the protection of potential donors.