Euthanasia-a history of a problem
Hmm..started our Bioethics class last week, hmm contrary to da old beliefs-I find tis subject very interesting..n da fact da Mikail (our teacher) is so damn handsome-dont think am gonna miss any of his classes;p well last week he gave us an assignment BUT we have to talk bout it in da context of Islam n Msian Law..so i picked tis topic-Euthanasia-a history of a problem..n my case reff was on Terri Schiavo n to Chip, dont bother about plagiarism laa..he didn’t even bother to look at da hard copy. He wuz only interested in the Oral presentation n my understanding bout da topic-n da discussion later after dat..I would say wuz "educating".
Ok..here, I would like to put some bits of my presentation yesterday:
"I will give no deadly medicine to any of asked, nor suggest any such counsel"..Hippocratic Oath.
Definition
Euthanasia is alwiz associated wit Assisted suicide..so definition of each:
Euthanasia-when the death of da pt is caused by da 3rd party intentionally eg: giving lethal injection or covering pt’s head with a plastic bag to suffocate him/her.
Assisted Suicide on the other hand is when da pt himself performs the last act eg: swallowing an overdose of drugs provided by da doc.
Note: so far Oregon,Netherlands n Belgium are the only countries dat permits these kind of doings..either one or both of it.
International Perspectives
Well, the World Medical Assoc stated dat physician associated suicide is unethical n must be condemned by med profession. However,after da pt opt to sign the DnR form to decline any form of treatment..it is not unethical if such wish results in his/her death. No one needs to be hooked up to a machine against their will rite?-It’s CRUEL n In INHUMANE.
Islamic views:
The Qur’an says: "Do not kill (or destroy) yourselves, for verily Allah has been to you most Merciful" (Qur’an 4:29). To warn against suicide prophet Mohammad said: "Whoever kills himself with an iron instrument will be carrying it forever in hell. Whoever takes poison and kills himself will forever keep sipping that poison in hell. Whoever jumps off a mountain and kills himself will forever keep falling down in the depths of hell."
Attempting to kill oneself is a crime in Islam as well as a grave sin because we did not create ourselves so we dont own our bodies to do such things.
According to Shari’a Law:
The concept of a life not worthy of living does not exist in Islam. Justification of taking life to escape suffering is not acceptable in Islam.
During one of the military campaigns one of the Muslims was killed and the companions of the prophet kept praising his gallantry and efficiency in fighting, but, to their surprise, the Prophet commented, "His lot is hell." Upon inquiry, the companions found out that the man had been seriously injured so he supported the handle of his sword on the ground and plunged his chest onto its tip, committing suicide.
There is another dimension to the question of pain and suffering. Patience and endurance are highly regarded and highly rewarded values in Islam. "Those who patiently preserve will truly receive a reward without measure" (Qur’an 39:10). Prophet Mohammad taught "When the believer is afflicted with pain, even that of a prick of a thorn or more, God forgives his sins, and his wrongdoings are discarded as a tree sheds off its leaves." ..but obviously tis make no sense to an atheis..
The Islamic Code of Medical Ethics (Islamic Organization of Medical Sciences, Kuwait, 1981, p.65)
"Mercy killing, like suicide, finds no support except in the atheistic way of thinking that believes that our life on this earth is followed by void. The claim of killing for painful hopeless illness is also refuted, for there is no human pain that cannot be largely conquered by medication or by suitable neurosurgery…".
The Dilemma
Arises when the dose of the pain killer necessary to alleviate pain approximates or overlaps with the lethal dose that might bring about the patient’s death. From a religious point of view the critical issue is the doctor’s intention: is it to kill or to alleviate? Intention is beyond verification by the law but according to Islam it cannot escape the ever watchful eye of God Who according to the Qur’an "knows the treachery of the eyes, and all that hearts conceal" (Quran 40:19). Sins that do not full fill the criteria of a legal crime are beyond the domain of the judge but remain answerable to God.
Conclusion: Seeking of medical treatment for illness is mandatory in Islam, our prophet once said "Seek treatment, subjects of God, for to every illness God has made a cure", and "Your body has a right on you."..
At the end of my presentation Mikail asked me Jackpot Q.."lets say we put aside the religion aspect..would u do it?.." erk..I said I would..n I dont think dat would make a bad doc..?! like wat Chase from House.MD said "if da pt wants to die..y should we stand is his way..?"..erk wat do u guys think? fwens?!
April 20th, 2007 at 9:12 am
in this secular world, if u dont wanna think about religion, then u have to think about ethics. and to think about ethics, u have to consider the law and the cultural setting of the society. again, its the society who will secern bad doc from a good one.