[Euthanasia - an attempt to organize issue].
This article is an attempt to complete and holistically discuss problem of euthanasia, especially its ethical and legal aspects, comparing to Polish law. The subject of euthanasia arouse interest of the society because it touches one of the most important aspects of life, which is the death. Even bigger emotions are aroused amongst physicians. They are forced to put on the line the life as biggest value on the one side and autonomy of human being on the other. It also touches the empathy for suffering. The euthanasia was divided into three forms: active euthanasia, passive euthanasia and assisted suicide. Any form of euthanasia is illegal in Poland according to both the Penal Code and Code of Medical Ethics. Range of possible penal consequences perpetrator is very wide from waiver of punishment to life imprisonment and it comes from different penal qualification of the euthanasia. Qualification of the euthanasia is based on terms of intent of perpetrator's act, request of patient, strong empathy for suffering if the patient and decision based on up-to-date medical knowledge. It is valuable to mention "do-not-resuscitate" DNR procedure, which in case of medical futility is legally accepted in Poland, but in other form may be qualified as passive euthanasia.
Katedra I Zakład Medycyny Sądowej I Toksykologii Sądowo-Lekarskiej, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Katowice, Polska.
Tomasz
T
Kirmes
SKN Medycyny Sądowej Przy Katedrze Medycyny Sądowej I Toksykologii Sądowo-Lekarskiej Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Katowice, Polska.
Mateusz
M
Wilk
Katedra I Zakład Medycyny Sądowej I Toksykologii Sądowo-Lekarskiej, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Katowice, Polska.
Czesław
C
Chowaniec
D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005060:Europe; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians; D011044:Poland; D016414:Resuscitation Orders / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
 euthanasia;  medical futility ;  non-treatment decision;  physician-assisted suicide; ethics