E-Theologos, Vol. 4, No. 1 DOI 10.2478/etheo-2013-0009 Euthanasia - is it a murder or charity? 1 Clinical perspective Dr. Ewa Kucharska Jagiellonian University - Medical College, Krakow 1. Introduction Medical progress constantly creates new opportunities to restore peo- ple’s health, and – in certain circumstances – even life prolonging. On the other hand, mobilization of forces promoting the destruction of life on its limit sections can be observed: the beginning of life – by the legalization of abortion, and in the end of life, by the legalization of euthanasia. That dimension of the final stage threat will be the subject of my lecture 2. It is about the deadly euthanasia dealings. Death is a taboo, but in the mental- ity of our society there is a constant yearning for the ideal of a dignified death. Currently, we are afraid to lose our subjectivity, autonomy and hu- manity. The constant fear of suffering, of vegetation, before the depriva- tion of consciousness and human dignity and being dependent on other people raises the question about the meaning of human existence and the possibility of interference with the natural boundary, which is the death of a man. On the one hand, specialized care centres began to appear in the world to take care of terminally ill patients, such as: hospices, hospitals and home palliative care units in England, USA, Canada, Australia, Asia, Africa and in European countries, and as well in Poland since 1980’s ; on the other hand, associations were formed opting for assisted death, such as the organization VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA LEGALISATION SOCIETY. This organization was founded in the 1930's in England, and others were established in the Netherlands, France, Germany, and in 1980, the World 1 Lecture upon an invitation of Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, the President of the Pon- tifical Council for Pastoral Care of the Sick and Health Care Workers, Rome, 19 January, 2013. 2 Cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Declaration of euthanasia „Iura et bona”. In: W trosce o życie. Chosen documents of the Holy See. Ed. K. Szczygieł. Tarnów 1998 p. 333. 97 E-Theologos, Vol. 4, No. 1 DOI 10.2478/etheo-2013-0009 Federation, concentrating 28 associations from 18 countries was estab- lished. All of these organizations run numerous campaigns promoting the "right to a dignified death", and propose bills to national parliaments to legalise euthanasia. Often, they provide assistance in rational suicides, particularly in countries where it is "a unpunishable crime" such as: Swit- zerland, France, Germany. In my presentation I will discuss the following issues – a general characteristics of euthanasia, its types, euthanasia as a clinical matter and proportions in the use of therapeutic agents. 2. Euthanasia - general characteristic 2.1 Euthanasia in antiquity. The concept of euthanasia occurred in the fifth century BC. Euthana- sia, the very word comes from the Greek word "euthanasia" - a good and painless death 3. As one of the first, this notion was used by a poet Krati- nos, but he did not characterize what would a "good" death might be like. At the end of the fourth century BC, another poet - Meander used the term meaning "easy death", which is the result of having an adequate attitude to life. In his comedies, he criticized the old age. According to ancient be- liefs, they considered that a good death is quick and deprived of o suffer- ing; the so-called excitus facilis. 2.2 Euthanasia in modern times. Already in 1516, Thomas Moore in his "Utopia" referred to ancient doctors - the so-called death helpers, talking about "freewill death", made only upon consent of the patient and the government of Utopia. The first man to introduce the word "euthanasia" was Francis Bacon. In the "Novum Organum" he described a gentle and peaceful death. He encouraged all scientists to seek ways to reduce the pain of the patient. Euthanasia was discussed by prominent physicians and philosophers such as Z. P. Schultz, M. Paradys. In the second half of the 19 th century, S. Williams and Lionel Tolemache defined euthanasia as active help in freeing the patient from suffering, and dying at his request. They demanded the legalization of euthanasia in cases of terminally ill and suffering patients. The problem of the Nazi pseudoeuthanasia can be found in "Mein Kampf" by Adolf Hitler. 2.3 Definition of euthanasia. a) by Helga Kuhse: it's achieving a good death – murder of mercy, in which person A ends person’s B life, taking into consideration the benefit of person B. What can clearly be seen, is first an intentional deprivation of life, and secondly making it for the sake of the person who asks for it because of suffering, or an incurable or terminal illness. 3 Cf. P. Kieniewicz. Eutanazja. In: Jan Paweł II. Encyklopedia nauczania moralnego. Ed. J. Nagórny, K. Jeżyna. Radom 2005 p. 195. 98 E-Theologos, Vol. 4, No. 1 DOI 10.2478/etheo-2013-0009 b) according to the Dictionary of Foreign Words by W. Kopaliński: means: reducing a hospital patient suffering by a doctor during a pro- longed agony, with a lethal dose of pain killer. c) According to Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (Euthanasia declaration 1980: regardless of motives and means, it means ending of the life of a handicapped, sick, or dying person. It is morally unacceptable. d) according to a PWN popular encyclopaedia : the murder of a man at his request and caused by of sympathy for him. e) by M. Szeroczyńska; from the book "Euthanasia and assisted suicide in the world": deprivation of life by a direct or indirect causing death, not preventing its arrival, aiding in taking life away independently by a suffer- ing human, by someone motivated by compassion, acting for the benefit of that person in order to ensure a dignified death by deliverance that person from evil, which is suffering. The main promoter of euthanasia is a self-proclaimed ethicist, or actu- ally Australian sociobiologist Peter Singer, who believes that human life can only be seen in terms of usability, as it is not sacred. The utility is proven by IQ 4. Singer accused Christians that if they treated life as sacred, "than butchering of a pig or pulling out a cabbage would be as disgusting as murdering of a human being”5. Singer’s absurd statements requires constant emphasis on the basic principles of human life. The point is that no-one has the right to endanger human life, as each person is obliged to live according to God's plan. In this God statement, life is a gift, and its full perfection is reached in eternity. 6. This makes a deliberate deprivation of life something negative, because the rejection of love to yourself be- comes a denial of "the natural instinct of life.” 7. Rightly, therefore, John Paul II said that human life is a gift from God, "and its purpose is to serve brothers, which, according to the present salvation plan can always be use- ful. Therefore, never violate its course, from the beginning to its natural end. On the contrary, you have to accept it, respect, and promote by all means and defend against any threat. ”8. 3. Reasons for euthanasia The basic reasons for euthanasia are serious and endless suffering, the cost of care, drop in the birth rate and disregard of the Ten Command- ments. 4 Cf. R. Nęcek, Z prasy wzięte , Kraków 2010, p. 38. 5 P. Singer, Etyka praktyczna, Warszawa 2007, p. 89. 6 Cf. E. Kucharska, R. Nęcek, Eutanazja – odniesienie do perspektywy klinicznej i etycznej . Praca socjalna” 1(2012) p. 91. 7 Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Deklaracja o eutanazji, p. 335. 8 Jan Paweł II, Człowiek wobec tajemnicy śmierci, p. 38. 99 E-Theologos, Vol. 4, No. 1 DOI 10.2478/etheo-2013-0009 Endless suffering has always been the cause for supporters of eutha- nasia legalization. Because there is always a deplorable state of human health manifesting itself in great pain. The care of such people becomes extremely burdensome and consumes huge amounts of money. Then, a temptation arises to shorten this life, caused by a feeling of pity 9. The ex- plosion of care costs is due to obvious advances in medicine which ex- tends the human lifetime. And even though all living things - according to Austrian Bishop Egon Kapellari - are condemned to death, still, medicine is able to significantly extend human life. 10 . In this way, the number of people with prolonged age is raising. Additionally, a foreground for euthanasia is prepared by a pitiful state of Western society populations. A demographic collapse is associated with the consumer lifestyle mentality. Following the contraceptive and abortion mentality, the birth rate drops dramatically. In such circumstances, the care of patients becomes ex- tremely challenging. 11 . An important reason for attempts of euthanasia legalization is the dis- respect to the fifth commandment of the Decalogue. Many authorities be- lieve in the creation of national rights that are devoid a base anchored in the commandments of God. So let's recall the words of Cardinal Ratzinger, saying that "law can only be an effective force of peace, when its measure does not lie in our hands. The law is formed by us, but not created. In other words: there is no law justification without transcendence . ”12 . 4. Types of euthanasia We distinguish between passive, direct or indirect euthanasia. Table 1: Types of euthanasia by Bernard Beartschi Passive euthanasia active, indirect euthanasia active, direct euthanasia Voluntary Voluntary Voluntary Involuntary Involuntary Involuntary Against patient will Against patient will Against patient will Source: M.