[Vulnerations of Human Dignity At The End of Life].
Death is constitutive of human nature and therefore it must happen naturally. But there are mainly two ways that falsify it: euthanasia and therapeutic obstinacy. Two wrong choices that do not accept the human reality of death (the first, anticipates death and the second, delays it). From the philosophical and ethical point of view, both options are rejected, because they are against human dignity at the end of life. Aside from these, this article also rejects the different names which are given to refer to euthanasia, that also go against human nature at the end of life. On the other hand, do not confuse euthanasia with sedation. Both have a common goal to prevent the patient from feeling pain and suffering. To achieve this goal, both options administer ″drugs″ to the patient. But in the administration of drugs in euthanasia involves ending patient's life. The administration of drugs in sedation aims for the patient's death to occur naturally. Finally, we briefly discuss the basic care necessary in these situations. The absence of basic care cannot become a covert euthanasia. The patient must die from his/her illness, never from a lack of care. All human actions (euthanasia, sedation, therapeutic obstinacy and basic care) should be an expression and manifestation of what human dignity demands. Such dignity is expressed in the actions performed by human beings.
Universidad de La Rioja. Calle Magisterio 2, 1 dcha. 26004. Logroño. roberto.german@unirioja.es.
Roberto
R
Germán Zurriaráin
D001293:Attitude to Death; D016638:Critical Illness; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000941:ethics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018447:Medical Futility / Q000941:ethics*; D009014:Morals; D028723:Personhood; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics*; D009626:Terminology as Topic