Euthanasia in End-of-Life Care in the UK

Euthanasia in End-of-Life Care in the UK
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Euthanasia in End-of-Life Care in the UK
Euthanasia, otherwise referred to as assisted suicide, refers to when we deliberately end someone's existence to relieve them of pain and suffering. The various categories in which experts explain euthanasia include non-voluntary, voluntary, and involuntary euthanasia. The first type of assisted suicide is voluntary euthanasia which states that the person who wishes to die actively requests and consents to the act. Non-voluntary euthanasia, on the other hand, occurs when the person is unable to agree with others, such as when they are in a coma or otherwise incapacitated (Dintcho, 2020). Last on the list is involuntary euthanasia which dictates that when individuals perform the act without the person's consent, society generally considers it murder.
The ideology of assisted suicide bears a rich history, with roots taking us back to ancient civilizations. In ancient Rome, society saw assisted suicide as a compassionate act, and physicians often performed it. The Latin word "euthanasia" literally means "good death," reflecting the belief that it was a positive and desirable way to end suffering. However, assisted suicide was not universally accepted in ancient Rome and was often controversial. Assisted suicide remains controversial and complex, with different laws and societal attitudes in different countries. Some places, such as certain states in the US and certain countries in Europe, have legalized assisted suicide under certain circumstances, while others have banned it entirely. Debate continues on the ethical, moral, and legal implications of assisted suicide in modern society.
A Brief History of Euthanasia
Throughout the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church opposed euthanasia because it violated the sanctity of life. The Church taught that God alone could rightfully end an individual's existence and that it was a mortal sin to prematurely end a person's life. In the 19th and 20th centuries, euthanasia re-emerged as a controversial and divisive issue. In the US, specialists established the first organized movement for legalizing euthanasia in the 1930s. This act resulted in the formation of the Euthanasia Society of America. Whereas in the United Kingdom, the Suicide Act of 1961 made it illegal to assist in a suicide or to attempt to commit suicide, and this law remains in place today. The Suicide Act 1961 of England makes it a criminal offence to assist people in taking their lives, punishable by up to 14 years in prison (Yuill, 2022). However, the issue of euthanasia continues to be a source of debate and discussion, with solid arguments on both sides. There have been several attempts to legalize euthanasia in England, but none have been successful. In 2015, the House of Commons rejected a proposal that would have allowed medical practitioners to issue deadly medication prescriptions to critically sick patients. The debate over euthanasia in England is ongoing, and it is a twisted and controversial matter that raises several ethical, moral, and practical concerns.
Exceptions of Euthanasia and Palliative Care
The law allows for the withdrawal of treatment or life-sustaining treatment in certain circumstances when it sides with the patient's desires. This exception is known as "passive euthanasia", and specialists do not consider it a form of assisted suicide. In the UK, palliative care focuses on ensuring that patients are comfortable and free from pain and that their wishes and preferences are respected. This care can include using terminal care, which reduces symptoms and enhances the quality of life for those with life-threatening illnesses (Sabev, 2019). In addition, the design for end-of-life care in England is to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to individuals approaching the end of their lives.
Palliative care is significant to end-of-life care in England. This care is a specialized form of health routine that aims at lessening symptoms and enhancing the standard of life for those with terminal or life-threatening illnesses. Medical practitioners, including professionally trained doctors, social workers, nurses, and other specialists, work together to address the patient's and their family's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and provide palliative services (Sabev, 2019). The experts can issue palliative services in many settings, including hospices, hospitals, and the respective patients' homes. It can also involve using medications to alleviate pain and other symptoms and other interventions such as psychological support, spiritual care, and bereavement support. Nonetheless, end-of-life care in England also ensures that patient's wishes are respected. This action can include respecting patients' choice of place of care and their decision to forgo or withdraw specific treatments. The activity can also include the patient's wishes for their values and beliefs to guide palliative care.
Concerns and Controversies of Euthanasia
Euthanasia in England has raised lots of concern and controversy. The issue is controversial and complex because it involves making decisions about the end of life and the value of suffering. Advocates of euthanasia argue that it can be an empathetic and humane way to alleviate the suffering of someone terminally ill or experiencing unbearable pain. These proponents may say that individuals have the right to decide how they want to die and that euthanasia can be a way to respect their freedom and dignity. On the contrary, opponents of euthanasia argue that it can be abused and may lead to involuntary euthanasia, in which people kill others without their consent. The opponents may...