Patient's autonomy, physician's convictions and euthanasia in Belgium

The aim of this paper is to show the inherent contradiction in the Belgian euthanasia practice. While stressing patient’s autonomy, medical professionals exhibit paternalism in deciding the patient’s fate. First, background information is provided. Then the 2014 Belgian Society of Intensive Care Medicine Council Statement Paper will be considered. Concerns are voiced about euthanizing people who fail to find meaning in their lives, including those who underwent unsuccessful sex-change operation and blind people, euthanizing patients who did not give their consent, and euthanizing people with d... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Cohen-Almagor, Raphael
Dokumenttyp: Journal article
Erscheinungsdatum: 2016
Verlag/Hrsg.: Duncker & Humblot
Schlagwörter: Euthanasia / Belgium
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-28959832
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
Powered By: BASE
Link(s) : https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/file/447331/1/Article

The aim of this paper is to show the inherent contradiction in the Belgian euthanasia practice. While stressing patient’s autonomy, medical professionals exhibit paternalism in deciding the patient’s fate. First, background information is provided. Then the 2014 Belgian Society of Intensive Care Medicine Council Statement Paper will be considered. Concerns are voiced about euthanizing people who fail to find meaning in their lives, including those who underwent unsuccessful sex-change operation and blind people, euthanizing patients who did not give their consent, and euthanizing people with dementia. Finally, some suggestions designed to improve the situation are offered.