Kent school of SW

1. Ethics of Euthanasia
and Human Dignity.
Sheri Hunt

2. Euthanasia
• Euthanasia is defined as :
• The painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful
disease or in an irreversible coma.
• The practice is illegal in most countries.
• Euthanasia (Voluntary) is legal in the following states:
• CA, OR, VT, WA and MT with a court ruling.

4. Critical Thinking
• To be able to look at euthanasia from a social work stance we must
first be aware of our biases and preconceptions.
• We must strive to think critically and not emotionally about the topic
of euthanasia. Our determinations should be based on empirical
research and proven strategies.
• We must also remember that this is a topic that elicits intense
emotions and we must strive to work/think collaboratively despite
those emotions and different views.

5. Demographics
• Euthanasia primarily affects terminally ill patients.
• Euthanasia is considered more in the elderly.

6. Statistics
• As of 2006 euthanasia was the most widely researched area among
Bioethics.
• Bioethics is the study of controversial issues that arise due to
advances in biology and medicine.
• 86% of the public supports euthanasia for terminally ill patients on
life support.
• 55% of patients on life support die in pain
• In 2015 54% of doctors were in support of voluntary euthanasia.

7. Types of Euthanasia
• Voluntary: Assistance with death in a painless manner to someone
with a chronic illness, especially to relive pain. (Legal in before
mentioned states).
• Non-voluntary: Assistance with death for a terminally ill client when
consent is not able to be given. (Illegal in all states).
• Involuntary: Assistance with death of a terminally ill client without
asking for consent. (Considered murder).

8. Types of Euthanasia
• Passive: The act of withholding treatment meant to sustain or extend
life.
• Active: The use of a lethal substance to end the life in a terminally ill
patient.

9. Oregon Death with Dignity
• On October 27th 1997 the state of Oregon passed the Death with
Dignity law.
• This law states that the terminally ill can end their life through
voluntary self administration of a lethal substance that a medical
professional prescribed for that purpose.

10. Effects of Euthanasia
• Effects on the Family
• Depression
• Conflict (especially if the Power of Attorney withholds treatment).
• Financial concerns ( cost of keeping a terminally ill loved one alive can
compile extensive bills).

11. Effects of Euthanasia
• Effects on the Family
• Euthanasia can lessen grief.
• Why?
• Family can say goodbye, prepare and have more time to process the
impending death.
• Family can talk openly about the impending death, thereby increasing
the support of one another.

12. Effects of Euthanasia
• Effects on the patient
• Euthanasia offers the patient a source of relief from their pain.
• Euthanasia provides dignity to the patient by empowering them to be
in control of their life/death choices.

13. Effects of Euthanasia
• Effects on Daily Life
• Euthanasia is more cost effective than sustaining life for the
terminally ill patient.
• Euthanasia allows the client to take charge of their life/death.
• Euthanasia brings the closure of the decision being made.

14. Arguments against Euthanasia
• The most common argument is that euthanasia is murder.
• Some base this argument on the Ten Commandments – Thou shalt
not murder.
• Others state that a terminally ill patient is not in the correct frame of
mind to make life ending decisions.
• Still others argue that euthanasia gives the medical practitioner too
much power.

15. Social Work Vs Medical Personnel in End of
Life Decisions
• Social Work has a code of ethics which dictate a set of values that
social workers should strive to uphold.
• Medical personnel abide by the Hippocratic Oath.
• Social Work strives to expand choice and improve quality of life on
macro, mezzo and micro levels.
• Medical personnel focus on the individual and their personal choice.
• Therefore Social Workers and Medical Personnel MUST view
euthanasia from different perspectives.

16. Social Work Vs Medical Personnel in End of
Life Decisions
• According to Maureen V. Himchak, PH.D social workers should strive
to heighten one’s quality of life and assist in exploring end of life
decisions.
• She also states that while social workers explore the choices they
cannot be actively involved in any act of suicide.
• Himchak refers to Contributive Justice and the idea that social
workers empower the elderly and family members to be active and
participate in decision making.
• Himchak eloquently states that social workers promote justice and
choice for all levels (macro, mezzo and micro) and euthanasia does
not benefit society as a whole.

17. Social Workers and End of Life Decisions
• SABINE PLESCHBERGER discuses dignity in matters of euthanasia.
• She states that dignity can be both intrapersonal and relational.
• Pleschberger also reported that in her study a category of “not being
a burden” was created due to the results.
• Pleschberger makes the connection that needing care physically also
effects the mind and identity.
• Pleschberger states that this effect on identity and the lack of
meaningful relationships for elderly/terminally ill, jeopardizes their
relational dignity.

18. Social Workers and End of Life Decisions
• While neither Himchak nor Pleschberger actively take a stance on the
matter of euthanasia they do elude to social work roles.
• In short, social workers are intended to instill hope, explore choice,
focus on all levels and empower the individual to make their informed
choice.
• Social Workers are not active participants in euthanasia but rather
guides to assist the individual and family in working through the
process and empowering them to explore all options and decide.

19. Euthanasia
• In conclusion euthanasia is a highly debated topic in the area of
bioethics.
• Some state that individuals should have the right to choose to die
with dignity. Others state that euthanasia is murder, regardless if the
patient gives consent.
• While 5 states have legalized Voluntary Euthanasia, in the rest of the
USA it is illegal.

20. References
• Pleschberger, S (January 4, 2007). Dignity and the challenge of dying
in nursing homes: the resident view. Oxford University Press, 36,
Retrived from
http://ageing.oxfordjournals.org/content/36/2/197.full.pdf+html
• Himchak, M. (2011). A Social Justice Value Approach Regarding
Physician Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia Among the Elderly. Journal
of Social Work Values and Ethics, 8 Retrieved from
http://www.jswvearchives.com/spr11/spr11himchak.pdf